Newark, CA

 City of Newark Volunteer Recognition Program

The City of Newark held its annual Volunteer Recognition Program on March 31, 2026.  The program recognized and honored individuals who volunteer directly for the City of Newark and individuals who volunteer within the Newark community.  The theme for the evening was "Celebration of Stars", Honoring Newark's Volunteers.

The program featured two components.  First, recognition was given to the individuals who volunteer their time at City offices or for City-sponsored events or programs.  These community-spirited people add significantly to the quality of life in Newark.

The program then moved to recognize individuals who were nominated for the prestigious Viola Blythe Awards.  The Viola Blythe Awards recognizes the unselfish efforts of those who volunteer throughout the community to make Newark a better place for all of us.  Individuals were nominated in four categories:  Viola Blythe Group Award, Viola Blythe Senior Award, Viola Blythe Youth Award, and Viola Blythe Volunteer of the Year Award.

City of Newark Volunteers Recognized

Nominees for the Viola Blythe Awards

Viola Blythe Group Award

• Newark Community Emergency Response Team:  Better known as CERT, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to public safety by educating, training, and engaging community members in emergency preparedness. Through consistent outreach and hands-on training, the team has strengthened Newark’s resilience and readiness for emergencies. CERT volunteers supported major community events, including the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, National Night Out, State of the City Address, Newark Days, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. They offered quarterly training and monthly community trainings, covering critical topics. The team also supported and participated in the CERT Academy, ensuring volunteers received comprehensive training and maintained a high level of readiness. 
• Newark Police Explorers:  The Newark Police Explorer Program exemplifies outstanding volunteerism, leadership, and community service. Led by dedicated Explorer, Ghanem Elmashni, the group took the initiative to organize and support the Relay for Life fundraiser. As part of this effort, the Explorers participated in “Groovin’ at the Grove” summer concert where they conducted outreach and fundraising in support of Relay for Life. Beyond this event, they remained actively engaged throughout the year by attend-ing weekly explorer meetings, assisting with traffic control, and supporting numerous community and city events. Their com-mitment not only strengthens community connections, but also helps provide valuable support and coverage in areas where staffing is limited.

Viola Blythe Senior Award

• David Libby:  As a key leader in Newark CERT, David has gone above and beyond to educate, engage, and empower Newark residents on the how-to and the importance of emergency preparedness.. He represented CERT at many city events, including CERT Open House, 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Newark Days, Newark State of the City Address, and National Night Out. David played a vital role in educating the community about emergency preparedness, safety, and readiness, helping residents understand how to better protect themselves and their families. He has conducted regular trainings focused on emergency preparedness and first aid during CERT monthly meetings, ensuring that volunteers were well trained, confident, and ready to respond in times of need. As CERT Coordinator, David provided strong leadership, successfully rebuilding and strengthening the Newark CERT program.
• Vivian Soriano:  Vivian is an outstanding and dedicated volunteer at the Newark Senior Center. She consistently helped all community members who came through the Senior Center. She provided valuable support to the City of Newark staff with a wide range of tasks. Most notably, Vivian hosted the weekly bingo game. Vivian has volunteered her time with patience, dedication, and with a consistently positive attitude, and helped to create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone.

Viola Blythe Youth Award

• Sophia Han:  Sophia is a member of FUN Youth and the Eternity Band. Through her affiliation, Sophia has volunteered approximately 1,250 hours either playing the keyboard in the band or performing sound engineering. Hours include the monthly Newark Library Music Hour, Summer Piano: Ready? Go! piano tutoring, monthly community forum events, Breathe Healthy Newark, the City of Newark’s 2025 State of the City Address, and the Diwali and Lunar New Year Variety Show.

Viola Blythe Volunteer of the Year Award

• Toni Di Giorgio:  Toni has been a dedicated VOLTS volunteer with the Newark Police Department (NPD) for 13 years. She has supported NPD in a wide range of capacities, including assisting with front desk operations, supporting DUI checkpoints, providing traffic control for large-scale special events, such as Newark Days and the Holy Ghost Parade, and volunteering at community outreach and tabling events. Toni is a key component of the Newark Graffiti Abatement Team. Toni also volunteers at the Viola Blythe Community Services Center.
• Maria Gallegos:  Maria has volunteered at the Viola Blythe Community Center for more than 10 years. She has volunteered in the following capacities: Client Intake, Food Pantry, Volunteer Coordination, Food Recovery, and Clothing Operation. It is only because of the dedication and commitment of volunteers like Maria that the center can provide the services so many families need.
• Whitney Holk:  Whitney has assisted with early literacy programming by planning and presenting story time to children and their parents. She has spent hours selecting the books and songs as well as reading and practicing them before the event. Her stories teach children to love books, to start on a fabulous journey of learning and discovery, and to realize that reading is special and important.
• Perry Kwok:  Coach Perry is a dedicated parent in the community. He contributes to the sports culture at both Newark Middle School and Newark Memorial High School. Coach Perry captures high-quality photographs of all our athletic teams. He generously shares his talent with our community, free of charge, as he views it as a way to support our families. He is a fixture at school games, and players view him as a mentor and "big brother".
• Terry Russell:  Terry has volunteered in the VOLT program for over 14 years. His hours were spent mostly on patrol with additional hours on traffic control and working special assignments. Terry has ridden along with officers on 12-hour shifts, and worked in SWAT team training, exercises, and operations. He has written 1,570 handi-capped parking citations, worked with the Newark Police Department and businesses to ensure compliance with state laws as well as understanding the laws on Handicapped Parking spots. Terry participates in Graffiti Abatement, animal control operations, and has trained incoming VOLT volunteers.
• Barry Taimani:  For more than 10 years, Barry has been a steady, compassionate presence in the Newark community, leading outreach efforts that go far beyond meeting basic needs. Ten years ago, Berry made a commitment to serve meals to members of the unhoused community and in partnership with various organizations, continues this commitment every Saturday morning at two locations. Barry takes this time to learn each person’s name and remember the details they share about their lives. He reminds them that they are seen, valued, and known. He has an annual Christmas party for second-chance residents, unhoused individuals, and community members. He involves students, teaching the next generation the value of service and empathy. Barry founded his non-profit Melino to expand his reach and deepen his impact and create more opportunities to serve and uplift the Newark community.

CONGRATULATIONS!  Group Award Winners: 

• Group Award Winner:  Newark Police Explorers
• Senior Award Winner:  David Libby
• Youth Award Winner:  Sophia Han
• Viola Blythe Volunteer of the Year Award:  Maria Gallegos