Volunteers to be honored this evening
The 36th annual Hayward Volunteer Recognition and Awards Dinner tonight will honor dozens of outstanding Hayward community members who give of their time and energy to benefit others and support local service programs and nonprofit organizations.
Judy Harrison, a founding member of the Hayward Education Foundation and president of the Friends of Hayward Library, will be the recipient of the 2018 Life Time Achievement Award, one of the event’s two most celebrated recognitions.
Ralph Morales, executive director of the South Hayward Parish and tireless affordable housing and social justice advocate, will receive the 2018 John N. Pappas Humanitarian Award, which honors the memory of the former Hayward school board member, planning commissioner, City Council member and mayor.
Sponsored by Supervisor Richard Valle and the City of Hayward with nearly 40 participating community organizations and agencies, the Volunteer Dinner takes place under the big tent on the grounds of Saint Rose Hospital.
Hayward first began formally honoring volunteers in 1977, when a civic club, Hayward First, created the Pappas Award. After a hiatus of a few years, a new committee of community members formed in 1983 to renew the awards program and dinner, which this evening will mark its 36th consecutive year.
