Assemblymember Alex Lee Honors 2025 Unsung Heroes

Assemblymember Alex Lee honored the 2025 Unsung Heroes of Assemblymember District 24. The annual event recognizes community leaders whose dedication to making the district a better place may have gone unnoticed. This year, the Assemblymember celebrated the contributions of 27 honorees. 

Norma Amaro was nominated by Jinky Peralta

Norma Amaro is a volunteer for Sleeping Bags for the Homeless of Silicon Valley (SB4HSV), where she helps distribute sleeping bags, tents, food, and other necessary items for unhoused veterans and other members of our community. Norma’s leadership with SB4HSV helps create a more inclusive and caring community where everyone feels valued and supported.

Ron Appleby was nominated by Susan Fowle 

Ron Appleby is a former Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council Board Member and a tireless volunteer in the Berryessa and North Valley communities. For the past fifteen years, he has organized countless street clean-up projects, and has donated and planted several dozens of trees to help beautify the Berryessa neighborhoods.

Avanzando Newark was nominated by Astrid Scott

Avanzando Newark has empowered Latino youth and their families through education, leadership, and community engagement. For the last sixteen years, Avanzando has worked to break down barriers to higher education, support students through mentorship, provide scholarship opportunities, and foster strong connections between families and schools.

Baljit Singh Bomba was nominated by Jatinder Sahi

Baljit Singh Bomba is the Ustad of Misl Fremont Gatka Akhara, where he teaches the traditional Sikh martial art. Over nearly two decades, he has trained and mentored younger generations of Gatka players and helped his students build confidence, strengthen their character, and embrace the value of hard work.

Jeanette DeYoung was nominated by Jojy Michael

Jeanette DeYoung helps lead a team of volunteers in caring for the land at St. Vincent de Paul of Mission San Jose. She assists in growing fruit trees, providing gardening plots, and producing olive oil, persimmons, and honey to help feed the most vulnerable members of our community.

Carol Goedde was nominated by Sita Kern

Carol Goedde has been an active volunteer in the San Jose community for more than ten years, working with many organizations including the Rotary Club, Hunger at Home, Philanthropic Educational Organization, Nearly New Shop, and Youth Science Institute. She is also deeply involved at Foothill Community Presbyterian Church. 

Ty Greaves was nominated by Richard Santos

Ty Greaves is the Secretary and a Past President of the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council, which works to enrich and inform the Berryessa community. Ty is also responsible for the creation of the mural at the Berryessa Community Center and assists with beautification efforts at Penitencia Creek Park.

Barbara Hagel was nominated by Jojy Michael 

Barbara Hagel helps lead a team of volunteers in caring for the land at St. Vincent de Paul of Mission San Jose. She assists in growing fruit trees, providing gardening plots, and producing olive oil, persimmons, and honey to help feed the most vulnerable members of our community.

Barb Howard was nominated by Diana Rohini LaVigne

Barb Howard is an active volunteer at the Fremont Libraries, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Niles Merchant Association, HERS Walk/Run/Yoga Fundraiser, Ohlone Humane Society, and Fremont for Everyone. Over the past four decades, Barb’s leadership with these groups and others has made Fremont more vibrant and inclusive. 

Rakhi Israni was nominated by Mihir Meghani

Rakhi Israni has led efforts with Sewa International to provide care for those in need for almost a decade. Rakhi worked to support those affected by recent wildfires, and she helped Sewa International respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing personal protective equipment to healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics.

Shelly Jones was nominated by Shannon Tam

Shelly Jones is a leader with Scouting Troop 170 and 2170. Her leadership has encouraged Milpitas and North San Jose Scouts to create projects that have beautified our community, collects toys for those in need, and improves school landscapes. Shelly helped launch Troop 2170, which provides girls the opportunity to join the Scouts.

Mike Kraus was nominated by Natalie Lopez

Mike Kraus is the President of the Penitencia Creek Neighborhood Association. In his role, Mike runs neighborhood association meetings and advocates for Penitencia Creek with local representatives. He also organizes annual block parties, recruits volunteers for “dumpster days,” and helps coordinate the Berryessa Art Festival.

Jerry Lovejoy was nominated by Terry Inman

Jerry Lovejoy is the Manager for Compassion Network, which matches volunteers and essential resources with those in need throughout Fremont, Newark, and Union City. Since its founding in 2005, Compassion Network has served over 21,000 people throughout the Tri-Cities. Because of Jerry’s leadership, the organization’s programs are making a big difference in the community.

Sudhir Mandal was nominated by Niranjan Gupta

Sudhir Mandal has served as a member of the Milpitas Planning Commission and Milpitas Community Advisory Commission. His leadership on these commissions has helped create a thriving, safe and sustainable Milpitas. Sudhir has also worked to beautify local schools and helped organize local creek cleanups.

Michael Marzano was nominated by Eve Marie Little

Michael Marzano is a volunteer for Newark Cub Scout Pack 441, Boy Scout Troop 186, Mission Peak Boy Scouts, and Seas Scouts. For years, he has helped scouts in our community learn essential skills needed for future success. Michael also serves Newark as a member of the Measure GG Oversight Committee.

Milan Mehta was nominated by Diana Rohni LaVigne

Milan Mehta is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Neev Kolte & Brave Ronil Foundation, which supports children impacted by terminal pediatric brain cancers and sponsors cutting-edge research and clinical trials to combat childhood cancers. Milan’s work has helped raise hundreds of thousands of funding for research and support for affected families.

Hasmukh Patel was nominated by Vipul Kothari

Hasmukh Patel is a volunteer for the Jain Center in Milpitas (JCNC), which serves more than 5,000 Jains across the Bay Area. At JCNC, Hasmukh helps prepare meals for hundreds of people during community events and gatherings. His work has inspired others to volunteer and give back to their communities.

Cindy Potter was nominated by Toni Camacho

Cindy Potter started the Ohlone Humane Society's foster kitten program, which facilitates the adoption of more than 100 kittens annually. Cindy ensures that kittens in the program receive the socialization they need in their foster homes and the appropriate veterinary care. She is dedicated to helping kittens find a loving home in our community.

Sivaraman Ravichandran was nominated by Anna Chen

Sivaraman Ravichandran is the President of the Parkmont Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, where he has helped enhance parent-teacher collaboration, increase community engagement, and address resource gaps to improve the educational environment for Parkmont students.

Rico Rodriguez was nominated by Angus Cochran

Rico Rodriguez is the owner of Federico's Grill in Fremont. Through a choking prevention initiative, he has partnered with Washington Health to teach our community first aid skills needed during choking incidents. Since the initiative began, the partnership has provided choking first aid education to service clubs, schools, restaurant workers, and senior care facilities in our community.

Sharon Root was nominated by Sharon Fowle

Sharon Root is an advocate for safe parks and open spaces in the Berryessa area of San Jose. She has worked to reduce blight, ensure safe pathways, and helped secure the removal of parking fees at Alum Rock Park. Sharon also serves as a Board Member for the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council and as a volunteer with the Berryessa Art Festival 2025 planning committee.

Rhoda and Eric Shapiro were nominated by Dina Nadler-Serber

Rhoda Shapiro and Eric Shapiro are the founders and operators of The Milpitas Beat, a community-based print and online newspaper. Under their leadership, the Milpitas Beat has provided local news coverage that helps Milpitas residents stay informed and engaged in their neighborhoods and city. The newspaper also fosters civic engagement by hosting candidate forums for the community. 

Blanca Silva was nominated by Sofia Basilio

Blanca Silva is an expanded learning programs provider at Schilling Elementary School in Newark through Think Together. Blanca’s work allows the afterschool program to be a safe, supervised, and supportive environment for students where they can focus on their academic success. Blanca also enriches the Schilling community by teaching ballet folklorico at Schilling Elementary School.

Shannon Liu Shair was nominated by Sophia Liu

Shannon Liu Shair advocates for children's cardiac health and heart care, and has worked to spread awareness and raise funds for congenital heart defects. Shannon has also served as a Board Member for the Fremont Union City Newark Mothers' Club, Friends of Children with Special Needs, and the Mattos Elementary School Parent Teacher Association.

Ajaypal Singh was nominated by Jatinder Sahi 

Ajaypal Singh is a coach of Misl Fremont Gatka Akhara, where he teaches the traditional Sikh martial art. Ajaypal inspires, mentors, and passes down the knowledge, discipline, and values he gained through his journey in Gatka. His dedication ensures that young athletes learn the key values of the traditional Sikh martial art.

Mark Varner was nominated by Robert Jung

Mark Varner is an indispensable volunteer for the Milpitas Sunday Mobile Service Center. He has provided leadership for the center's high school volunteers for the past four years. His efforts have enabled the Sunday Mobile Service Center to expand its operations and better serve its clients.