High Five Awards

The High Five Community Service Excellence Awards proudly recognize and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations who make significant contributions to our community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication. This award shines the spotlight on our community role models for compassion and service and strive to make our Central Coast communities better and more inclusive places to live.

KION Central Coast and the Monterey Credit Union present the High Five Community Service Excellence Award four times throughout the year in Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito County to acknowledge outstanding community service and dedication to improving the lives of others.

Awards Timeline

⚬ The nomination window is open throughout the year.
⚬ Nominee submissions are reviewed and selected four times a year.
⚬ Selected winners will be notified by KION Central Coast.
⚬ Winners will be featured on KION Central Coast..

Criteria & How to Submit a Nomination

Nominees should demonstrate ongoing community service and consistently demonstrate qualities of compassion and dedication to our community or a variety of volunteer activities in the past year. Individuals cannot receive any monetary or personal benefits from their involvement with the charitable activities/events or service listed on the nomination.

Examples of Community Service Excellence can include:

1. Leadership: Individuals or organizations who make significant contributions to building a sense of unity and purpose in their community. Nominees should demonstrate ability to build stronger communities through the promotion of personal growth and development.
2. Social Responsibility: Individuals or organizations who assist others in improving their communities through volunteer programs, social groups, outreach centers, sports programs, or after-school groups. Nominees should have contributed to at least one community program or initiative with measurable results of how they impacted participants of that community program or initiative.
3. Mentorship: Individuals or organizations who demonstrate positive values and behaviors that influence others to emulate or aspire to follow. Nominees should have examples of instances during which they have mentored community members in positive ways.
4. Change Agent: Individuals or organizations who influence or stimulate others to effect positive changes through personal development or self-improvement. Nominees should have demonstrated their role as change agent.