Community

Lend A Hand Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Sept. 15

Published

7 years ago

June 15, 2017

The Lend A Hand Foundation (LAHF) began its mission in 1997 by selling raffle tickets, holding fish frys, and the group’s members going deep into their own pockets to make sure 100 children who resided in the Henry Robinson Multi-Service Center in Oakland would have Easter Baskets.

Twenty years later, the foundation has vastly expanded its service to the local community.

The public is invited to join Lend A Hand to celebrate its anniversary.

Since 1997, LAHF saw a greater community need, and its members rolled up their sleeves and reached out to community leaders to help at the center.

Alphonso Galloway introduced the foundation to Fredrick E. Jordan, who provided the first grant. With that, LAHF launched its first annual Backpack Giving Program in Oakland right in front of the center.

Community leader Saundra Andrews was very instrumental in leading the way for LAHF to meet leaders such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee and City Councilmember Desley Brooks who attended the event where 200 students received backpacks and supplies.

LAHF was the first area provider of school backpacks and school supplies – a service now replicated by many community groups.

Many saw the needs of the community, and LAHF was very passionate about helping others, including Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, who the organization met with initially to make sure it was heading in the right direction and has been a staunch supporter since its inception;

Saundra Andrews also introduced the organization to Roddrick Lee, then community relations director of UPS, which provided school supplies for the backpacks and UPS continues its support;

City Councilmember Larry Reid, located a vendor that provided the initial 200 backpacks and continues to support LAHF;

County Supervisor Nate Miley, who provided the first meeting space and then found office space that LAHF still occupies as well as supports the Stay In School Program; and

Retired Judge David Krashna became a LAHF Advisory Board Member early on and has helped the organization in many ways throughout its journey.

LAHF will also never forget Cora “Mom” Green, mentor to LAHF brought the Oakland Fire Department to the inaugural event with clothing for the families.

This is basically how it all began.

Fast forwarding over the next 20 years, LAHF has provided over 66,000 backpacks, developed a Stay In School Program that helps eliminate barriers students face to functioning well in school, an annual holiday celebration that supports hundreds of families residing in transitional housing facilities during the fall holiday season, and supports those in need during critical times of need – such as during the recent disastrous West Oakland fire.

On Friday, Sept. 15, Lend A Hand will honor many of its past and present supporters.

Dee Johnson, Founder/Executive Director, says, “We would love to honor everyone,” but we are limited. However, we want everyone to know just how grateful we are.”

For more information about the event, please visit their website or call (510) 553-1262.

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Related Topics:Dee Johnson LAHF Lend A Hand Foundation Oakland Roddrick Lee

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.