December 29 Winner

"Tony Hanna has been a Behavior Specialist working in the Mental Ward at John Muir Hospital for 16 years. Along with that, he also has a nonprofit organization called Above It All Mentoring. In this organization, he leads a 7 on 7 football league which includes mandatory mentorship classes. He also holds 3 big events each year; backpack and school supplies giveaway, a Warm Coat and blanket giveaway and a Toy drive."

December 22 Winner

"Mary Spicer single handedly heads a non-profit dedicated to doing trash cleanups in the Oakland/Alameda estuary. These events clean up to 6,000 lbs. of trash out of this fragile, wildlife-laden area two or more times a year. As an avid paddle boarder and rower in the area, she noted the amount of trash and stepped up and did something about it. She gathers hundreds of volunteers, and tries her best to recruit corporate or civic partners to do these events all year long. She does not get paid monetarily for her efforts--she does it because she loves the estuary. To learn more about the Alameda Estuary, please click here."

December 15 Winner

"Excellence starts with leaders of good and strong character who engage in the entire process of leadership. And the first process is being a person of honorable character. Rodney has dedicated his life to the service of our neighbors in need. As a community volunteer and a public servant, Rodney has been a stellar advocate, a passionate community activist and tireless worker for programs that promote family self-sufficiency and unity. Rodney began his professional career in 1989 as a Professional Barber in Richmond, CA . One early volunteer experience began from his work with the disenfranchised community, seeing the need for outreach, education and community engagement to low income African Americans."

"He visited with neighbors, organizing and empowering them to stand together as one voice with city government. Rodney also works with many community organizations to provide residents with information about food, jobs, housing, and services. In addition to his notable achievements as Father Mentor and Award Winning Author, Rodney's many years of volunteer service have given him spectacular results, nominations and awards for his incredible dedication to his community."

December 8 Winner

"For 35 years Renee S. Herzfeld, Executive Director of 4Cs of Alameda County, has dedicated her career to serving families, children, child care providers, and community members in Alameda County. A champion for children, change-maker, leader, and mentor, Renee has become a foremost expert in the early care and education nonprofit field nationwide. Under her leadership, 4Cs services and impact have grown exponentially, serving more than 10,000 Alameda County neighbors annually through free child care resources and referrals, child care payment assistance, family navigation, distributions of diapers, wipes, food, backpacks, toys, and more tangible needs. Renee also spearheaded the inclusion of free tax preparation and car seat installation check services and leads the Hayward Promise Neighborhoods Early Learning Network. She shares her expertise generously with various nonprofits and early care and education boards, committees, and commissions across the county and was instrumental in the development and passage of Measure C - the Children's Health and Child Care Initiative for Alameda County, raising more than $150 million to support care for Alameda County's most vulnerable children. As Renee leads 4Cs of Alameda County into 50 years of service, we celebrate her as a Community Champion!"

December 1 Winner

"Twenty-five years ago, in 1997, Dee Johnson set out to continue to support children after a bout with lung cancer in 1996. Prior to the cancer ordeal, Dee had been a Foster Parent for Alameda County for 9 years taking care of many children via emergency care and long-term care until the children were either adopted or returned to their parents. She was introduced to the Henry Robinson Multi-Service Center in Oakland where she developed several programs: Teen Talk Tuesday, Stay in School Program, and the Holiday Celebration for families during the Winter holiday season. From these efforts, The Lend a Hand Foundation (LAHF) was established. It is widely known for the Annual Back to School Program, which gives out backpacks with school supplies. At the onset of COVID-19, the LAHF did not stop trying to find ways to help. Dee Johnson organized several food giveaways in Oakland along with school supplies to support students with home study. In 2021, the organization provided over 133,000 backpacks and school supply kits. In August 2022, the LAHF raised over $400,000 which allowed them to support 25,000 Oakland Unified School District students, as well as other children in Alameda County, with educational school supplies to help prepare them for the new school year. In September 2022, the LAHF celebrated 25 years of service helping underserved children and families. On November 20, 2022, the LAHF provided 400 families with a turkey and other items. On December 17th, the LAHF will hold its annual holiday "Joy of Giving" celebration supporting over 300 underserved families."