ShelterBox Honors Kim Cantin and More News Bytes

By Montecito Journal | December 16, 2025

Kerri Murray with Kim Cantin (right) (photo by Issac Hernandez)

ShelterBox USA presented its 2025 Community Impact Award to Kim Cantin during an emotional benefit at the Montecito Club, recognizing her resilience and advocacy following the 2018 Montecito mudslide that claimed 23 lives, including those of her husband and son. Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, accepted the honor with gratitude for ShelterBox’s global humanitarian work. The evening celebrated 25 years of disaster relief, raising more than $800,000 to provide emergency shelter and essential supplies worldwide. Kenny Loggins performed “Celebrate Me Home,” while Andrew Firestone led a spirited auction for the 200 attendees.

Hospice of SB Raises $10,000

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) announced the successful completion of its October Round-Up Campaign, hosted by the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, which raised $10,000 to support HSB’s no-cost services. Over 33 days, an estimated 20,000 customers rounded up their purchases or made direct donations, demonstrating broad community support. HSB CEO David Selberg expressed deep gratitude to owner Gary Simpson and the Home Improvement Center team for their longstanding partnership. Funds will directly benefit HSB’s counseling, support groups, and compassionate care for individuals and families facing life-threatening illness or grief.

SB Home Improvement Operations Manager Tom Richards, HSB CEO David Selberg, and Home Improvement Owner/President Gary Simpson (courtesy photo)

Local Business Launches Sustainable Holiday Campaign

AeroHance, a Santa Barbara business, has teamed up with Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center to introduce a holiday campaign promoting savings and sustainability through its locally developed AeroHance Pods. The easy-to-install accessory improves vehicle aerodynamics, increasing fuel efficiency for gas cars and extending range for EVs – each gallon saved prevents about 20 pounds of CO₂ emissions.

“This collaboration brings together Santa Barbara businesses with a shared sustainable ethos,” said Gary Simpson, owner of Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center. “Long after the holidays, AeroHance Pods keep putting money back in drivers’ wallets while helping the environment. We’re protecting nest eggs — and our nest.”

Aerohance Pods are available at the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center in classic black and upcycled holiday editions. Early adopters such as Santa Barbara Airbus, Ablitt’s Cleaners, Renaud’s Patisserie, Kanaloa Seafood, Easy Lift, and even Jean-Michel Cousteau helped validate fuel savings and environmental benefits. AeroHance Pods are upcycled from excess materials in Deckers’ shoe-sole molds, diverting factory waste into beneficial products.

Healing Justice SB Book Release

We Were Here, We Are Here: A Living History of Black Santa Barbara tells the story of Santa Barbara’s Black history through the eyes of our “beloved ancestor,” Sojourner Kincaid Rolle. Written by Simone Akila Ruskamp and illustrated by Reyna Iman, it is a children’s book said to invite readers on a journey through the places and moments that have shaped the Black SB community. The book has been recommended by the Black Student Alliance to SB Unified School District as part of the curriculum. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

California School Honor Roll Results

Congrats to Cold Spring Elementary School, Montecito Union School, and Santa Ynez Elementary School – all named recipients of the 2025 California Honor Roll Award by Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE). The Honor Roll program uses public data to evaluate schools based on college and career readiness metrics, including student performance on state assessments, high school graduation rates and college enrollment data.

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Chumash Casino Resort Updates

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (SYBCI) announced this week that the Chumash Casino Resort has opened its newly upgraded “Higher Limits Room” during a VIP grand tour and reception. The redesigned space doubles the gaming area to over 11,000 square feet up from approximately 6,000 square feet. The new area boasts an elegant and contemporary atmosphere, with 272 slot machines, eight table games including Baccarat and video poker. Onsite specialty cocktails feature, among other libations, premium Don Julio 1942 tequila. Mike Lopez, vice chair of the SYBCI said in his press release, “Many of our guests have been with us from the beginning. We’ve grown from a tent to this remarkable facility, and the new Higher Limits Room demonstrates the tribe’s commitment to reinvesting in our property and providing our players with an elevated
gaming experience.”

Carp-Summerland Fire Santa Run

The Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Department Santa Run will be onDecember 13 at 6 pm. Itstarts on Lillie Ave in front of the Summerland Fire Dept. Toys and donations for local families in need are appreciated, and will be collected along the parade route.