Oakland
Mt. Zion Baptist Church and California Waste Solutions (CWS) Participated in a Grand Effort to Spread Holiday Cheer
The company joined forces with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in a charitable effort to distribute turkeys and all the fixings to families in need to celebrate the holiday.
Six hundred and fifty turkeys and 340 bags of Thanksgiving-related groceries were distributed in CWS tote bags.
The original effort was planned to be much larger, but hundreds of turkeys were distributed to families that survived the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise. CWS and other sponsors of the turkey give-away banned together to support families in need in Oakland and in Paradise.
“It was truly an honor to serve Oakland families at Thanksgiving. That is what the season is all about,” said Johnny Duong, acting chief operations officer. “CWS is rooted in West Oakland and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Mt. Zion Baptist Church to support our community.”
Pastor Michael Wallace was pleased with the event and said that he was looking forward to working with CWS in the future.
“No Oakland family was turned away,” said Tasion Kwamilele, director of community engagement for CWS. More than 600 households received Thanksgiving provisions.
“We were delighted to be able to uplift the spirits of the families for the holiday,” added Kwamilele. “At the time when so many people are suffering from the housing crisis and income inequality, we are thankful that we can help those in need. This is a tradition we hope to continue for years to come.”
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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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