Thank You, Pride Volunteers

Dear Community, 

Recently we celebrated our amazing volunteers at our Volunteer Appreciation Party and I was reminded how beautiful this community is when we come together. In the midst of legislative attacks and people turning their backs on us, our volunteers remind us of those who do support us, how powerful our community is when we come together, and what we can accomplish. We are so grateful for our volunteers and how they show up for each other and our community. Thank you, volunteers, for everything you do to foster community, connection, and Pride all year long.

Celebrating Volunteer Anniversaries

We’d like to celebrate and appreciate some amazing volunteers whose dedication keeps our movement going. Here are the incredible volunteers who are celebrating milestone anniversaries with Pride!

5 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Aline Miranda
2. Ariestya Tjhin
3. Aurora Fraire
4. Brandan Robertson
5. Breana Francois
6. Carter Bratt
7. Charli Campbell
8. Chentell Ingram
9. Ciera Peetz
10. Colton Gallagher
11. David Thompson
12. Destiny Meza
13. Eli Leary
14. Erika Weikel
15. Hannah Miyamoto
16. Heather Morey
17. Jack Aceves
18. Jeffrey Engle
19. Jennifer Sadoski
20. Jessica Larson
21. Jinx Jay
22. Joanna Benavidez
23. Kaylee Bonier
24. KeAsha Rogers
25. Lizzy Morgan
26. Louie Torres
27. Lynn Cecil
28. MarQuis Williams
29. Melina Sugiyama
30. Mollie Nunn
31. Navneet Kanwar
32. Nikki Ferrer-Perez
33. Patrick Bracken
34. Rebekah Morey
35. Sarah Holstrom
36. Stephanie Bostic
37. Sydnie Stocks
38. Terai Lynch
39. Teresa O’Dell
40. Terry Williamson
41. Tiffany Wolf
42. Verónica Rojas Munoz
43. Yvette Deas

10 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Annelise Ryan
2. Anthony Berent
3. Billy Yoggerst
4. Camila Fuenzalida
5. Cheli Mohamed
6. Chris Rivera
7. Christine Petrou
8. Clement Contreras
9. Courtenay Jensen
10. Cristy Pastelin
11. Dayna Droher
12. Elaine Lewis
13. Elida Calles
14. Eliyahu Cohen-Mizrahi
15. Elizabeth Benitez
16. Faeren Adams
17. German Rojas
18. Giovanna Favela
19. Jane Fulkerson
20. JoJo Logan
21. Jose Guerrero
22. Kate Trulock
23. Lisa Velazco
24. Lisa Marie Pawelek
25. Luis Villasenor
26. Luis Castellanos
27. Michelle Puzzo
28. Nicholas Eddings
29. Omar Padilla
30. Ron Moehlig
31. Sam Gunsel
32. Shawn Sei
33. Sherri Hubbard
34. Skylar Holewinski
35. Steve Slaff
36. Steven Blocker
37. Victoria Rios
38. Yapha Kimmons

15 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Brian Thai
2. David Weir
3. Denice Cordova
4. Diana White
5. James Taylor
6. Julie Minardi
7. Kelley Gardner
8. Maricela Gutierrez
9. Rhiah Gibson
10. Rick Cervantes
11. Ron Lieberman
12. Tareq Asfour
13. Thomas Blasquez
14. William Miller

20 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Alex Neofitidis
2. Haydee Sam
3. John Kelly
4. Kristin Pearey
5. Patrick OConnor
6. Thomas Hirzel

25 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Ken Kaufman
2. Ron Tov
3. Sandra Taraskiewicz
4. Tom Clough

30 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Emmanuelle McCall
2. Louis Davenport
3. Michael McAndrew

35 Years of Volunteer Service: 

1. Larry Sanchez

Your continued dedication shows the power of community. Thank you for growing with us and helping keep Pride strong for future generations.

 2025 Volunteer Award Honorees

At our Volunteer Appreciation Party, we had the joy of recognizing some truly outstanding members of our community. Each of these honorees represents the spirit of Pride—leadership, dedication, and heart.
 

Volunteer of the Year

Our Volunteer of the Year Award honors volunteers that have gone above and beyond. They embody the spirit of Pride and make a positive impact wherever they are involved.

• Holly Saenz  stood out as the calm, can-do helper who jumped into multiple shifts, kept operations flowing, and was always there the moment a need popped up.
   
• Maria Puga shined as our steady weekly backbone, organizing supplies and storage (even helping land a better space) and caring for the team’s well-being.
   
• Mau NuñoGutierrez-Knight elevated the Sign Crew team with creativity and organization, making sure every banner was spot-on while keeping volunteers welcomed and energized.
   
• Monica Pizzia brought focus and heart to the Sign Crew Team, delivering polished, on-time signage and building great connections across staff and volunteers.
   
• Denisse Lopez went above and beyond with Accessibility, taking multiple shifts, stepping in anywhere needed, and offering thoughtful support to attendees.
   
• Gabby Ryan led our first-ever Queer Joy Team, bringing fresh ideas and contagious joy that made volunteers feel seen, included, and excited to serve.
   
• Lashandra Givan kept the Medical Team running smoothly with steady, joyful leadership, handling curveballs with grace and care for everyone.
   
• Nikki Ferrer-Perez brought seasoned leadership to the Medical team, coordinating assignments, supporting leads, and keeping morale high through the busiest moments.
   
• Arielle Cook excelled in a new leadership role with QAPIMEDA, creating an inclusive, well-run space with thoughtfulness and connection.
   
• Cristian Gomez was a bright, reliable force for the Entrance & Exit team, keeping flow smooth and pitching in wherever help was needed.
   
• Mark Anthony Gallagher stepped into Parade leadership with a steady, can-do presence, keeping operations organized and teams supported.

Volunteer Group of the Year

Our Volunteer Group of the Year Award honors groups who step up to fill critical needs at Pride and make a tremendous impact with their support.

• Apple San Diego stepped up exactly where we needed them in multiple areas, filling critical gaps and keeping the weekend running smoothly.
   
• Bloom: A Counseling Collective made history as our first mental health volunteers, offering crucial care to the community and backing up Medical with check-ins, restocking, and volunteer support.
   

Community Partner of the Year

Our Community Partner of the Year Award honors an organization’s tireless work and dedication to collaborating with San Diego Pride and providing valuable resources to the San Diego LGBTQIA+ community.

• Fellowship of Older Gays (FOG) answered a last-minute call to coordinate Senior Cool Zones and the Senior Breakfast, ensuring our elders were supported and celebrated.
   

Jeri Dilno Volunteer Legacy Award

This award is in honor of Jeri Dilno, who was integral to the start of the San Diego Pride movement and remained dedicated to this movement until her passing a few years ago. Her legacy of volunteerism and giving to San Diego Pride is deep and meaningful, and this Jeri Dilno Volunteer Legacy Award recognizes volunteers who have created a lasting legacy of service and leadership within San Diego Pride.

• Al Cora has been a rock across festival and parade logistics for years, leading teams and solving problems—from setup and breakdown to key operational details.
   
• Richard Correale is a long-time leader of Recovery Village, known for meticulous planning, care, and a community-first approach that leaves a lasting impact.

With Gratitude

Whether you’ve been with us for one month or twenty years, please know that your time, energy, and care truly change lives. Together, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and joyful San Diego.

Thank you for being the heart of Pride!

In gratitude,
The San Diego Pride Team