Hats Off to Volunteers 2026: Celebrating the People Who Strengthen Rancho Bernardo

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, the Rancho Bernardo community came together once again for one of its most meaningful local traditions: Hats Off to Volunteers. Held at the Rancho Bernardo High School Performance Art Building, this annual Rancho Bernardo community event honored more than 50 volunteers from dozens of nonprofit and community organizations in and around Rancho Bernardo.

Each year, these outstanding individuals are selected by their own organizations. In other words, they are chosen by the very people who have seen their dedication, leadership, and generosity firsthand. As a result, the recognition carries deep meaning not only for the honorees, but also for the organizations and neighbors they serve.

A Rancho Bernardo Tradition Built on Gratitude

The Hats Off to Volunteers Rancho Bernardo event exists for a simple but powerful reason: to recognize the people who give their time, energy, and heart to make the community stronger.

These volunteers are not seeking attention. Most of the time, they are simply doing the work that needs to be done. They help lead nonprofit organizations, support local causes, strengthen service clubs, serve on boards, organize events, and step in wherever help is needed. Because of that, their impact reaches far beyond a single meeting, fundraiser, or project.

Instead, their service helps shape the culture of Rancho Bernardo itself.

That is what makes volunteer recognition in Rancho Bernardo so important. A healthy community does not happen by accident. It grows because people keep showing up for one another.

More Than an Award Ceremony

While the event is celebratory, it is about much more than applause.

Each honoree receives special recognition that reflects the heart of the occasion. Volunteers are celebrated by their peers, presented with a wide-brim hat that reads “RB Outstanding Volunteer,” and honored with letters of commendation from state and local assembly representatives.

However, the true value of the event goes even deeper.

Hats Off to Volunteers gives the community a chance to publicly say thank you. It reminds the honorees that their work matters. It also reminds the rest of us that service, generosity, and consistency still define the best of Rancho Bernardo.

In many ways, the event helps preserve something essential: a culture where people care enough to stay involved.

Why Volunteers Matter So Much in Rancho Bernardo

Behind nearly every strong community organization, there are volunteers making things happen.

Some are helping seniors. Others are mentoring students, supporting local businesses, serving faith communities, organizing civic efforts, or strengthening nonprofit programs. Many of them work quietly behind the scenes. Yet without them, many of the organizations that serve Rancho Bernardo would struggle to grow and thrive.

That is why recognizing Rancho Bernardo volunteers matters so much. Their work creates momentum. Their example inspires others. Their commitment keeps local organizations healthy and connected.

Just as importantly, volunteers help turn neighborhoods into true communities.

They create relationships. They build trust. They carry traditions forward. And over time, they help make Rancho Bernardo the kind of place people are proud to call home.

Greenway’s Connection to Hats Off to Volunteers

At Greenway Landscape Design & Build, this event is especially meaningful.

Owner Scott Lawn is a founding member of Hats Off to Volunteers alongside Marty Judge, and the two serve together as co-chairs of the 501(c)(3) organization behind the event. That long-standing involvement reflects a deep personal and professional commitment to Rancho Bernardo and the people who make it special.

In addition, both Scott Lawn and Alex Lawn are widely respected throughout the community for their leadership and service. Both have served on the board of directors for the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation and the Rancho Bernardo Business Association. They have also remained actively involved in important community and business organizations, including RB Noon Rotary, Hats Off to Volunteers, the RB Hall of Fame, the BBB, and the North County Chamber.

For Greenway, community involvement has never been separate from business. Instead, it has always been part of the company’s identity.

Greenway Landscape Design & Build is proud to serve homeowners throughout San Diego County. Yet the company is equally proud to support the Rancho Bernardo community that has played such an important role in its story. That is one reason this event continues to resonate so strongly with the Greenway team.

Honoring a Champion of Community Service

This year’s event also included a special moment of recognition for Marty Judge, whose decades of service have helped shape the Rancho Bernardo community in lasting ways. During the program, Scott Lawn and Alex Lawn highlighted Marty’s extraordinary commitment to local service by presenting him with a custom WWF-style championship belt/award declaring him “The World Champion of Community Service in Rancho Bernardo.”

It was a fun and heartfelt tribute, but it also carried a sincere message. Marty’s long-standing dedication, leadership, and passion for serving others have made a meaningful impact across Rancho Bernardo for many years. As a result, the award was a fitting way to celebrate a man whose legacy of community involvement continues to inspire so many others.

A Story of Community Impact

What makes Hats Off to Volunteers Rancho Bernardo so inspiring is not only the recognition itself, but also what it represents.

Every honoree represents a much larger story. Behind each name is a pattern of service. Behind each act of volunteerism is a choice to give back. And behind each organization is a network of people working together to improve life for others.

That collective effort has real impact.

It strengthens nonprofits. It helps preserve local programs. It creates opportunities for connection. It encourages civic pride. And perhaps most importantly, it shows younger generations that service still matters.

As a result, the event does more than honor past work. It also helps inspire future involvement.

That kind of example is powerful.

Celebrating the Spirit of Service

In a time when many people feel disconnected, events like Hats Off to Volunteers remind us what community really looks like.

It looks like people showing up.
It looks like neighbors helping neighbors.
It looks like organizations led by people who care deeply.
And it looks like volunteers who keep going, even when no one is watching.

That spirit has long been part of Rancho Bernardo. Year after year, Hats Off to Volunteers shines a light on the people who keep that spirit alive.

For that reason, this event is not just a celebration. It is also a reminder of what makes this community strong.

Greenway Salutes the 2026 Honorees

Greenway Landscape Design & Build is proud to celebrate the 2026 Hats Off to Volunteers honorees and all those who continue to serve Rancho Bernardo through volunteer leadership.

To every volunteer recognized this year, thank you.

Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your heart.
Thank you for helping Rancho Bernardo remain a connected, caring, and remarkable community.

From all of us at Greenway, Hats Off to You!