On March 6, CRC welcomed supporters, community leaders and changemakers to Lomas Santa Fe Country Club for the 2026 CRC Community Impact Awards, an inspiring afternoon celebrating compassion in action across North County San Diego. The event honored individuals and organizations whose service, leadership and generosity are making a lasting impact in the community, while also inviting guests to reflect on the power of kindness, resilience and self-compassion.
The afternoon recognized local changemakers whose work reflects the heart of CRC’s mission and the strength of a community that shows up for one another with compassion, care and action.
As CRC CEO John Van Cleef shared during the program, “The true measure of a community’s strength is found in its kindness to strangers, in people who choose to see someone’s hardship and act.” He also reminded guests that, “Although kindness does not seek recognition or wait for perfect timing, the season we are living in calls for light to be shone on the good things that unite us.”
In that same spirit, Dr. Ken Druck reflected on the importance of self-compassion, reminding us that when we practice kindness toward ourselves, we are better able to bring out the best in each other.
Congratulations to Our Awards Winners, Honorees and Finalists!
Compassion in Action Award
Recognizing meaningful service, outreach, advocacy or innovative solutions
Individual
Lee Auerbach, Board Member and Team Leader, Encinitas Fill-A-Belly
Richard Hostetter, Founder, Feeding All God’s Children
Dr. Ana Serrano, Director, God’s Heart Ministry: Las Valientes
Jordan Verdin, Founder, Humanity Showers – 2026 Award Winner
Group
Boost Program Encinitas
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank – 2026 Award Winner
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Encinitas
The Woman’s Club of Carlsbad
Youth Changemaker Award
Recognizing a young leader making a difference through leadership, service and action
Lucas Schalch, Founder of Glory Pursuit – 2026 Award Winner
Sebastian Trumbore, Member of Teen Volunteers in Action (TVIA)
Zachary Rees, Member of Teen Volunteers in Action (TVIA)
Excellence in Leadership Award
Recognizing the executive of a partner, nonprofit or for-profit organization for their leadership, collaboration and efforts to create solutions.
Alicia Kitagawa, Executive Director, Life Science Cares San Diego
CRC CARES Award Honorees
Recognizing work that embodies CRC’s values of compassion, acceptance, resilience, empathy and success.
Dottie Fortman, Member of San Dieguito Newcomers and Friends
TaylorMade Golf Company
Thank You, Event Supporters
We also want to extend heartfelt gratitude to those who helped bring the event to life:
- Our keynote speaker, Dr. Ken Druck, for moving and motivating us with an uplifting message on resilience, self-compassion and turning compassion into action
- Our emcee, Lindsey Brubaker, for leading the program with grace and enthusiasm
- Our CEO, John Van Cleef, for his inspiring remarks and steadfast leadership
- CRC’s Annual Partners, with special recognition of our Transforming Level Partner, AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad, and our Empowering Level Partner, Ranch & Coast Magazine
- Marie Lampone for the beautiful centerpieces
- Sharisse Coulter, our photographer, who donated her services
- Our event volunteers who supported the event
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this meaningful celebration possible. We are so grateful for your support and for the compassion you put into action across our community.
Thank You to Our Annual Partners
