By Mike Kinney, The Richmond Standard

About 600 local families received not only toys but also food, fresh poultry, and bicycles this holiday season, courtesy of a Richmond community that has banded together every year since 1989 to ensure children and their families in need can have a happy holiday.

The Richmond Fire and Police Holiday Drive, which takes several months and many volunteers to pull off, culminated Saturday with the annual giveaway event at the DeJean Middle School auditorium.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of our incredible partners like Chevron, Mechanics Bank, Chevron Fire, the Richmond Police Officers Association, the Richmond Firefighters Association, the Richmond Rotary which donated bikes, the Fire Academy, the Richmond Police Explorer Post 110, Touch of New Life, and so many other volunteers and organizations who stepped up to help,” Richmond police officials said.

The Richmond Fire and Police Holiday Program was inspired back in 1989 by now-retired Richmond firefighter Rod Woods, who organized a toy drive. Around that time, the Richmond Police Department had been running a food drive. After many years of growing their separate programs, Fire and Police united as one, with the Chevron Fire Department also stepping up and adding its continued support.

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The annual program involves setting out toy donation bins at police and fire stations and donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. For a third year in a row, East Brother Beer Co. hosted a benefit event or the holiday program.

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By Carla Thomas

On Dec. 22, at the corner of 18th and Foothill in Oakland, San Antonio Park was transformed into a winter wonderland, courtesy of the non-profit Oakland Trybe.

The festiveness of the holiday was in full effect with children reaching for snow flurries as an artificial snow machine sprayed snowflakes from the park’s hillside. Nearby, about a dozen kids jumping up and down in an extra-large bounce house added more cheer to the atmosphere.

Gospel music filled the air. Children built gingerbread houses and designed homemade tree ornaments at the crafts table while others lined up for Christmas gifts and photos with Santa Claus.

A Black Santa Claus portrayed by Oakland Trybe staffer,”  Isaiah Jackson, was seated beside the Christmas tree filled with personalized ornaments as children received gifts. “It’s fun to interact with the community and provide activities and a space for the kids to let loose in a safe environment,” said Jackson who serves as Oakland Trybe’s Operations Outreach Specialist.

According to the Oakland Trybe Clinton Park Site Director, Chien Nguyen, Oakland Trybe serves the community every Sunday afternoon. “Today has extra fanfare because it’s Christmas and the end of the year, but we feed and build community here every week throughout the year,” said Nguyen.

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Below, at the food court that Ngyuen says was built by staff, volunteers, and organization interns, kids played soccer on the two newly resurfaced playgrounds.

Parents lined up with their little ones for a plate of smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and salad. Ladies serving the food wore festive Christmas aprons bearing a customized spin on the Heinz catsup logo: “Catch Up With Jesus. Lettuce Praise and Relish Him, Cuz He Loves Me From My Head To ma toes.”

“It’s nice to serve and see everyone so happy,” said Mei Fu,” who is also an Oakland Trybe Operations and Outreach Specialist.

“Oakland Trybe is the largest distributor of food in Oakland from the Alameda County Food Bank,” said Nguyen. “Today, we served about 500 meals.”

Executive Director of Oakland Trybe Andrew Park, who is a pastor, said, in addition to providing food and entertainment, he and a small group were praying for guests who were ill. “We are community-based and welcome all, but we also know the power of prayer,” said Park. “By meeting the community’s needs and bringing them together, we can combat hate and racism at its core.”

With a rise in racism and hate in the world, Oakland Trybe considers its mission as a community builder combatting racism and other forms of hate by fostering programming that meets the needs of the community.

“Our organization was built with the need to support the community and bring people together,” said Park. “Together, with common goals, we can ensure people get to know one another and that breaks down cultural and racial barriers.”

According to Nguyen, Park does not pastor at a church. However, through his faith, he serves the larger community. “This is his church, and I appreciate him as a mentor,” said Ngyuen who is Buddhist. “This is how you reach the community, build community, and heal.”

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