As a member of the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) and Local 55, I’ve been part of a long-standing tradition of giving back, especially during the holiday season. Over the past 10+ years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the ACFFA Holiday Toy Program, helping spread joy to children and families in need across Alameda County.

My journey began in Newark, where I took over organizing the 4th of July pancake breakfast, raising funds for local charities. This led to my passion for collecting toys to supplement existing toy distributions, ensuring that more families could experience the magic of the season.

Having personally benefited from organizations similar to those we support, I understand firsthand the huge impact they can have. It’s incredibly rewarding to lead this program, and I’m especially passionate about mentoring my team to keep up this tradition. Watching them grow and contribute to expanding the program is a truly fulfilling experience, and it reminds me of why this work is so important. Being able to help families and children, just like I was helped, makes it all worthwhile.