Volunteers are the backbone of STEP.
Every year, our volunteers together dedicate over 10K+ hours. We couldn't run our programs without them.
STEP is powered by people who step up.
Your support has helped thousands of military and Veteran families find hope, keep food on the table, and move toward lasting financial wellness.
We can never say thank you enough.
But please know this: we couldn't do this without you.
Our Recognition Program celebrates our community members who give their time, talents, and energy in support of service members, Veterans, and their families.
Volunteers are the backbone of STEP - strengthening households, building community, and embodying the values we hold most dear.
This program ensures their contributions are honored in a way that’s meaningful and lasting.
This year, we proudly recognize three extraordinary individuals whose service, heart, and commitment embody STEP’s mission.
Paula has been an essential part of STEP, dedicating her time, creativity, and skills to elevate our organization.
Her artistic talents have enhanced our events during the Holiday season - most notably, she meticulously crafted the information boards for all our Holiday programs, showcasing STEP’s impact on military families.
Beyond her creativity, Paula truly embodies STEP’s Core Values in everything she does. She delivers results with excellence, builds strong relationships with staff and fellow volunteers, uplifts those around her with respect and kindness, honors patriotism, and consistently strives to do the right thing.
Her dedication has been invaluable across numerous projects, including preparing mailings for over 1,500 supporters and providing critical support for our donor engagement events. Her willingness to contribute wherever needed, always with a positive and team-focused attitude, has made a lasting impact on our organization.
Keith has shown outstanding dedication, leadership, and service throughout the year.
As a Volunteer Leader, Keith plays an essential role in guiding and supporting volunteers at distributions and community engagement events. His leadership has been critical in recruiting volunteers and ensuring the smooth operation of distributions at Camp Pendleton and MCAS Miramar, directly impacting countless military families.
He runs the MCAS Miramar event on his own, which is crucial to our success at this event. Beyond his work at distributions, Keith has been a steadfast supporter of our mission, always ready to step in at a moment’s notice with a smile and a willingness to help. He has played a key role in military-facing community expos, resource fairs, briefings, and more, ensuring that families receive the resources they need. His efforts at Cammies to College were particularly instrumental in making the event a success.
Keith embodies STEP’s Core Values in every aspect of his work—building relationships, respecting others, delivering results with excellence, honoring patriotism and service to the country, and always doing the right thing. His dedication and impact are truly inspiring.
