Search And Rescue Volunteer Who Logged 900 Hours In A Year Named Marin County's Volunteer Of The Year

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteer who responded to more than 70 missions and logged nearly 900 hours of service in a single year was named Marin County's Volunteer of the Year at a ceremony at the Civic Center in May.

Gideon Bernstein, who has volunteered with SAR since 2018, was recognized alongside his working K9, Bruce — who accompanied him to the ceremony. In 2025, the pair participated in a life-saving search in Sonoma County through the California Rescue Dog Association. Bernstein also helps coordinate training for 120 fellow SAR volunteers, has led fundraising for the unit, and was elected bootcamp manager in 2024.

The Board of Supervisors presented formal commendations at the May 18 ceremony celebrating the county's top volunteers and interns through its MarinShares and Marinterns programs.

Max Gehm was named Intern of the Year after standout stints in two county departments. At the Public Defender's Office, he dove into complex legal areas including the Racial Justice Act and worked directly with clients and case files. The experience inspired him to pursue law school. He had previously interned with the Human Resources Department, where he wrote for the county's volunteer and intern newsletter under the mentorship of volunteer Ed Remitz.

The Volunteer Team of the Year went to the Financial Abuse Specialist Team, a 15-member group of volunteers with backgrounds in banking, law, and finance who work to protect Marin seniors from fraud and scams. In 2025, the team presented to 20 community groups in Marin and San Francisco, translated materials into Spanish and Vietnamese, distributed 2,000 pieces of educational material, and appeared on Bay Area radio programs.

The Intern Team of the Year was the District 2 Intern Team, a group of eight students who worked with Supervisor Brian Colbert's office, presented research to the full Board of Supervisors, helped host a commissioner appreciation reception, and capped their internship with a trip to the State Capitol to meet with Assemblymember Damon Connolly.

Two staff mentors were also recognized. Fire Engineer Bjorn Anderson was honored as Outstanding Supervisor of Volunteers for coordinating more than 50 volunteer fire lookouts who staff towers on Mount Tamalpais and Mount Barnabe during fire season — a program so popular there is now a waitlist to participate. Elections Technician Elizabeth Iwamiya received the Outstanding Supervisor of Interns honor for her work mentoring more than 40 students in the county's Student Election Ambassador Program, helping them promote voter registration at campuses and community events across Marin.