Activism
Volunteers for Friendship Christian Center, LDS Church, NCNW, Tidewater Investments, Help Needy Kids with School Supplies
Members from the Friendship Christian Center under Agee, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) under Pres. Darryl Rains with Kyle Winkler from the Tidewater Investments firm and Jennifer King from the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) joined together prepare backpacks for students in need.
By Post Staff
Pastor Gerald Agee quoted from a biblical verse from the Book of Psalms 133 when he said “Oh, how good and pleasant it is when brethren come together in unity” when he gave praise and thanks to a group of volunteers and organizations that came together under the umbrella of JustServe.Org to bless the lives of students in West Oakland schools.
Members from the Friendship Christian Center under Agee, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) under Pres. Darryl Rains with Kyle Winkler from the Tidewater Investments firm and Jennifer King from the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) joined together prepare backpacks for students in need.

From left to right, Rev. Gerald Agee of the Friendship Christian Center, Ralph Bunche High School Principal Dwayne Bartholomew and students Margayla White Carlock and Alyssa Cantù. Photo by Justus Samuels.
Over 300 backpacks containing school and health supplies were prepared to give kids an encouraging boost as they headed back to school from their various post-pandemic, in-house educational experiences.
Pastor Agee thanked Kyle Winkler of Tidewater for donating school supplies, Jennifer King of NCNW for donating health packs and the Barkdull Family in Pleasanton, Ca for donating the backpacks.
The project was posted on JustServe.org, a website that links volunteers with non-profit organizations that need help. Agee said he was introduced to Just Serve by the Post News Group and LDS member Sid Price.
He said, “This event helped to build bridges, make new friends and improve the community. We hope this will lead to more interfaith and community non-profit organizations and businesses joining together to bless the lives of our neighbors.”
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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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