Pitkin County honors scores of volunteers at 2025 Pitkin County Cares Awards

Pitkin County commissioners honored a record number of local volunteers at the 2025 Pitkin County Cares Awards on Oct. 25 in the Dunaway Room at the Pitkin County Library, recognizing service across arts, youth programs, environment, health and international aid.

Kelly McNicholas‑Curry, chair of the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners, opened the ceremony and said the event celebrates “community spirit in service and volunteerism.” The awards, presented across multiple categories, highlighted long‑running volunteer efforts that county officials said strengthen local programs and regional partnerships.

The ceremony named individual and group recipients across categories. Kathy Honey received the local arts award for long service to Art Base in Basalt; presenters noted she has made centerpieces for the annual Art Base summer gala for at least 10 years and assembled what the proclamation called a combined total of 200 centerpieces. Charlie Weaver was honored in the children and youth category for founding and sustaining the Aspen Junior Golf Program, which the proclamation described as starting in 1984 and serving about 9,000 children over its four‑decade history. Weaver’s award citation also credited his work organizing fundraising tournaments that drew professional golfers to Aspen.

Other recipients included Camilla Coney (11 years of mentorship in the Buddy Program), Betsy Ann Anestas (longtime volunteer leader in the Sister Cities student exchange program), and Lucia Perez (longtime volunteer with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet folklorico program). The proclamation for Melanie Tulin recognized her work advising the Aspen Middle School Best Buddies chapter and fostering inclusion for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The ceremony also recognized volunteers working on local trails and natural‑resource stewardship. The Roaring Fork Horse Council founders — Holly McClain, Karen Reed and Susan Cassello — received the environment award for their trail advocacy and development of a Trail Safe Passage Plan used locally and in other jurisdictions. Trail steward Bill Schoenecker was cited for clearing more than 70 fallen trees from local trails after last spring’s prescribed fires. County staff member Drew Walters was honored for volunteer work launching Highwater Farm, a sustainable‑agriculture project that provides soil testing, training and increased access to fresh food.

Martha Ferguson was cited for dark‑sky advocacy; the proclamation said her work helped secure an update to Pitkin County’s outdoor‑lighting code and move the Snowmass‑Capitol Creek caucus area toward International Dark Sky Association certification. The ceremony also recognized food‑access volunteers including Amy Fromm for her long tenure managing a local food pantry and supporting Harvest for Hunger’s pantry model.

The awards included international and humanitarian service: Sandy Mulcahy (listed in the program as Sandy Mulcaney) was recognized for founding Africa Water Wells and supporting the drilling of 17 clean‑water wells and distribution of household water purifiers. Presenters credited her group with reducing waterborne illnesses in the cited Kenyan villages.

The event highlighted youth civic engagement through Rising Stars awards. Anna Dangler and Alexis Berger were honored for founding the Aspen Teen Giving Circle in 2024; presenters said the youth group raised more than $30,000 for local nonprofits in its first year. Harry Spitler, a ninth grader recognized for pedestrian‑safety advocacy in Snowmass Village, was cited for meeting with local officials and presenting recommendations to the Snowmass Town Council.

Recipients gave brief remarks. Kathy Honey said she represents “millions of people who believe strongly in arts education,” and Anna Dangler told the room that “young people don’t have to wait to lead,” noting the Teen Giving Circle’s fundraising and local grants. Becky Ward received the ceremony’s Greg Mace Award for long service in multiple local organizations and described herself as “deeply honored and humbled.”

County officials invited awardees and guests to a reception after the ceremony. Presenters and recipients repeatedly emphasized the event’s focus on long‑term community ties and volunteer networks that support youth programs, senior services, food access, recreation and regional stewardship.