Michelle Hickin has spent years pouring time and energy into causes that make a real impact.
Her commitment to giving back is rooted in personal experience - after her family received support during a difficult time, she made it a priority to pay it forward and teach her son the same. Every role she takes on reflects her belief in building a stronger, more connected community.
For over eight years, she’s supported the Princess Project, a 
grassroots non-profit that collects and distributes prom dresses to high school students. She has also hosted dress drives, volunteered at giveaways, and supported the Teen Ambassador Program, which builds leadership skills and self-confidence in local teens.
She and her son, Brayden, also volunteer with Paws 4 Thought, a local dog rescue that operates entirely through in-home fosters. For the past two years, they’ve helped at adoption events across the county - setting up pens, walking and socializing dogs, and cleaning up - while aiding rescues from Tijuana, China, and local shelters.
Through the Volunteer Collective at Mission Federal Credit Union, she has taken part in food packing at the Food Bank, beach cleanups, relief work for flood victims, the Food 4Kids Backpack Program, and projects with the San Diego Rescue Mission as well as the aforementioned Princess Project.
Her leadership skills are also on display in professional circles. With the Women’s Council of Realtors, she has served for 13 years as a Committee Chair and Membership Director, promoting women in business and leadership positions. She also volunteers with the California Escrow Association. participating on the education and membership committees, recruiting members and sharing her industry knowledge.
Learn more about the PSAR Good Neighbor Award and submit nominations HERE
Since 2012, Amy Saflar has been at the forefront of the 
Central to Amy's impact is her proficiency in securing crucial funding through grant writing initiatives. Her strategic approach has facilitated essential maintenance of the Historic Town Hall and enabled necessary upgrades to ensure accessibility and aesthetic appeal for all visitors.
events and open houses, fosters and adopts senior dogs - five so far - and contributes both funds and supplies to help meet the foundation’s needs. Doreen also uses her voice to spread awareness, promoting FFF’s cause on social media, sponsoring their local chamber membership, and encouraging others to get involved. Thanks to her efforts, more volunteers have stepped forward, and more people in the community now understand the critical need to support senior pets.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force in a role focused on nuclear weapons, Jexsi Grey faced a difficult return to civilian life, which led to two years of homelessness, living in hotel rooms and his car. This period of adversity deeply sensitized him to the struggles faced by unhoused individuals. With support from local nonprofits, Jexsi regained stability, sparking a profound commitment to give back to his community. Today, he stands as a dedicated housing advocate and collaborator within regional and statewide organizations, focusing on housing equity, homelessness solutions, and tenant empowerment.
As a Board Member and Community Collaborator at Humble Design, Jexsi provides strategic direction and governance oversight. His efforts include board recruitment, member onboarding, performance evaluations, and aligning national and local strategies. He actively engages in fundraising and expanding community partnerships to bolster program sustainability. Additionally, in his role as Landlord Liaison for the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative (Townspeople), Jexsi leads initiatives to secure shared housing opportunities by cultivating relationships with landlords and property owners. He facilitates tenant move-ins, matches roommates, resolves landlord-tenant issues, and provides education on fair housing and rental best practices. Jexsi maintains a comprehensive database of available units to streamline placement and reduce housing barriers for vulnerable populations.
Jexsi's volunteer work with Humble Design San Diego has been transformative, converting empty spaces into fully furnished, personalized homes for those transitioning out of homelessness. His advisory board membership, informed by his personal experience, ensures each home restores dignity and promotes emotional well-being. His contributions have significantly contributed to the program's success, evidenced by a remarkable 98% housing retention rate. His role in the Shared Housing Palooza campaign, which aimed to house 75 individuals through shared housing solutions, was pivotal. Through strategic engagement and advocacy, Jexsi helped surpass expectations, with 69 people securing housing—a 92% achievement of the campaign's goal. His dedication to humanizing the experience of homelessness and forging partnerships has strengthened San Diego's capacity to provide sustainable housing solutions, showcasing the impact of compassionate advocacy and innovative thinking.
Cathy has dedicated over 18 years to the soccer community in East County. beginning her volunteer journey when her own daughter & son played the sport. For the past 9 years, she has served as the board president for the 501c3 (non-profit) club, leading with unwavering commitment and passion. 
In 2024 alone, MULTI FAMILY MOGULS has successfully housed over 350 individuals. Beyond securing shelter, the organization provides referrals to credit repair agencies and financial assistance programs to help residents regain financial independence. By focusing on both housing and economic stability, Veronica’s work fosters long-term success for those facing hardship.