Still going strong!
Josh Wong, CDO of NSBC United Way, was just 23 when he came to Santa Maria from Hawaii to play football at Allan Hancock College. That was in 1987 – if you do the math, like I did, that makes Josh the ripe young age of 60. He doesn’t look a day over 30, so it must be his passion for helping others that keeps him young.
Recently, a great story about Josh was featured in the Santa Ynez Valley Star, page 10. We learned that he played football while attending Allan Hancock College, and in those early years married Chris, his long-time girlfriend in Hawaii. What followed for Josh was a range of work that steered him to a career in service.
”I wore a lot of different hats, mostly in the hospitality industry, all of which funneled into customer service,” Josh explains. “Everything I learned was from hands-on experience.”
I always told myself that I wanted a job that would support the community. I’d never worked for a nonprofit but I always knew that nonprofits helped support people in need, which is a subject near and dear to my heart.Josh WongNSBC United Way
Those jobs allowed him to gain a lot of work-related experience which led to a job in 2020 at Laurus College, in sales and marketing. The college picked him to be on the board of United Way representing the college. “I had been on the board for less than three months when the CEO of United Way approached me and offered me a position with United Way as their director of business development, almost three years ago,” he says. I always told myself that I wanted a job that would support the community. I’d never worked for a nonprofit but I always knew that nonprofits helped support people in need, which is a subject near and dear to my heart.”
ln Santa Barbara County, there are actually two United Way chapters. Josh represents North Santa Barbara County United Way, which covers the areas of Solvang, Buellton, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and Lompoc.
Using his ”Aloha” spirit, Wong raises awareness and funding for these North Santa Barbara County United Way programs. He works with corporations to help sponsor these programs. He says that many people ask him “Where does the money really go?” He has an answer for that.
“I can answer them honestly. 98% of all funds raised stay right here in our Northern County to support programs and resources to help in our community,” Josh noted. 1% goes toward keeping my office open with the lights on and 1% goes to the United Way Corporate Office in Denver, Colorado for marketing and branding.”
Josh adds, “I’m trying to educate the community about what United Way does for and in our community. We’re doing great things in our schools, for our children, and for those in need, and we can continue to do great thing with your help. Check us out on our website: www.UnitedWayLife.org.
And that’s not all: Josh continues to work three jobs, one part-time with Allegiant Air, and part-time as a liaison between all eight Blast 825 Brewery restaurants. He has coached high school sports for 20 years and has worked with the community Salvation Army giving out clothing and food for the homeless. He also periodically visits the riverbed to talk to some of the homeless in the encampments to hear what they have to say and offers information on the services United Way provides.
Wong has been proud to serve with us at United Way, and we are proud to have him on board as a valuable team member.
