The Novato Paint the Town Red, Board of Directors, created the Spirit of Novato award in 2023.
This award recognizes a Novato resident, whose selfless, enthusiastic, helpful volunteer efforts over several years have enriched our community.
Barbara Madrid has lived in Novato for 35 years. Her passion is reading and literacy. She has devoted most of her time since retiring to making books accessible for all, especially children. For the past 13 years she has been the volunteer manager of The Book Place, a used bookstore in Novato run entirely by volunteers. The profits (approximately $50,000 per year) go to the Friends of the Marin County Free Library, which funds programs for teens and children with a special emphasis on Spanish-speaking outreach, adult lifelong learning, and free book giveaways at the Marin County Fair, First 5, and the Marin County Jail. Amazingly, Barbara has also found time to volunteer as an elementary school classroom aide, hold leadership roles in Soroptimist International of Novato, act as Novato’s representative on the Marin County Library Commission, and serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Marin County Free Library.
Barbara is the embodiment of the Spirit of Novato, a person who unstintingly devotes an extraordinary commitment of time and energy to our community.
Get your tickets to Novato’s 64th Birthday Party today and join us in honoring the new 2023 “Spirit of Novato” Award Winner.