Premios al voluntariado comunitario

When we talk about a Distinguished Community Volunteer, we’re talking about someone who shows up season after season. Someone who plays every position. Someone who understands that winning isn’t about personal stats — it’s about lifting the whole team.

We celebrate a player who may not always be the one taking the shot — but without him, there would be no highlight reel.

In Rancho Cordova, that player is Rick Sloan.

Some people volunteer their time. Rick volunteers his heart. His talent. His unwavering commitment to preserving the story of this city.

As a prolific volunteer community photographer and a member of the Cordova Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, Rick has become one of the most recognizable figures in Rancho Cordova — even though he’s usually the one behind the lens.

Every great basketball team needs someone to capture the game film. Someone making sure the moments — the buzzer-beaters, the celebrations, the grit and determination — are never forgotten.

Rick has been that person for years.

From grand openings and parades to youth sports games, neighborhood celebrations, cultural festivals, and solemn memorials — Rick is there. Camera in hand. Courtside. On the sidelines. Under the lights.

His photographs don’t just record events.

They tell stories.

They preserve joy.

They honor milestones.

They remind us who we are.

Parents treasure the photos he takes of their children — from first baskets to championship smiles, muddy uniforms, and all. Local organizations rely on his images to share their mission. City leaders turn to his work to reflect the spirit of Rancho Cordova.

Rick hasn’t just taken pictures. He’s built an irreplaceable visual archive — the championship banner of our community’s history — something future generations will look back on with gratitude.

And when he sets the camera down? He’s still in the game.

As a Board Member for the Cordova Recreation and Park District, Rick has dedicated countless hours to ensuring our parks, programs, and public spaces remain vibrant and welcoming for everyone. 

He supports youth programs.

He champions park improvements.

He celebrates local achievements.

He plays defense for what matters most: community, connection, and care.

And let’s talk about legacy.

Rick created the Seal of the City of Rancho Cordova. He designed the inaugural logos for the Rancho Cordova Athletic Association, Rancho Cordova Arts, and the Rancho Cordova Sports Hall of Fame. For many years, he designed the Fourth of July t-shirts that so many families still have folded in drawers and memory boxes.

Those designs? They’re part of our team identity. They’re the jerseys we wear with pride.

And because he’s always already on the sidelines with his camera, Rick even took his talents to The Grapevine Independent — writing sports stories to make sure the student athletes he photographs also have their stories told in print.

That’s not just volunteering. That’s full-court commitment.

Rain or shine. Early morning tip-offs or late-night celebrations. Small gatherings or major citywide events — Rick is there. Focused.

Rick’s photos have become the collective memory of Rancho Cordova. His service has become part of its foundation. He is the ultimate teammate — the one who makes the assist, captures the moment, and keeps the team connected.

Rick Sloan is a storyteller. A leader. A neighbor. A friend.

Thank you for documenting our victories, preserving our history, and strengthening our community year after year. You are truly a Distinguished Community Volunteer — an MVP of memory, service, and heart.