Matt Tate has been recognized with the Quarterly Outstanding Public Service Award for his decades of commitment to serving the Uintah Basin community, according to a report published August 19. Tate has spent several decades prioritizing community service and giving back to local families and organizations.
For the past 24 years, Tate and his family have operated Santa's Angels, a nonprofit organization established to bring joy to families in need during the Christmas season. This organization grew from a family tradition of using earnings from performing as Santa Claus to purchase gifts. In 2025, Santa's Angels assisted 112 families throughout the Uintah Basin, providing full Christmas adoptions for 62 families and partial adoptions for 50 others. Additionally, Tate runs the Santa's Angels Used Toy Shop and has spent 15 years restoring bicycles for local children.
Tate's volunteerism extends to various leadership positions, including eight years on the Tridell Community Board, where he served six years as president without compensation. He also served as a board member and president of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) for four years. More recently, Tate has volunteered with Night to Shine over the past two years.
Tate's long-term dedication to the community, spanning more than two decades, was cited as a primary reason for his selection for the Outstanding Public Service Award.
