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Slideshow: Axis Community Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable, low-income and underserved people in the region. (Photo courtesy Axis) 
Tri-Valley Haven staff and board members with founding leader Cathie Brown. (Photo courtesy Tri-Valley Haven) 
A Goodness Village neighbor participating in the vocational program tends to the landscaping around the property. (Photo by Jackie Ayo / Goodness Village) 
Open Heart Kitchen’s team prepares fresh and nutritious meals on weekdays at the Vineyard Resource Center in Livermore. (Photo by Brandon P. Davis) 
Pleasanton’s elementary music teachers aim to spark creativity, confidence, and connection in every student. (Photo by Sharolyn Borris / Courtesy PPIE) 
Moet and Veuve Clicquot the dogs with their new family. (Photo courtesy Valley Humane Society) 
REACH 4 T-RADD basketball team. (Photo courtesy Tri-Valley REACH) 
Mary is a recipient of CityServe’s RideCare transportation program, and here she is having fun traveling to a doctor’s appointment with program manager Kathryn. (Photo courtesy CityServe) 
Culinary Angels volunteers pack nutritious meals for cancer patients and their caregivers in the Tri-Valley. (Photo courtesy Culinary Angels) 
CityServe’s Mandarin speaking class learning about health and wellness. (Photo by Christine Beitsch-Bahmani / CityServe) 
Trivago the cat with his new family. (Photo courtesy Valley Humane Society) 
Sunflower Hill program participants during their hands-on garden group class. (Photo by Victoria Chavez / Sunflower Hill) 
Walnut Grove Elementary School Roadrunners are off to their outdoor ed program. PPIE is able to secure buses for all 5th grade students and help offset costs for each family. This rite of passage is one of the highlights of the elementary experience. (Photo by Christy Murphey / Courtesy PPIE) 
Staff and neighbors gather for a weekly Community Circle, a time to connect, share stories, and reflect as a village. (Photo by Jackie Ayo / Goodness Village) 
Open Heart Kitchen relies on dedicated volunteers to help prepare and serve hundreds of meals every service. (Photo by Brandon P. Davis) 
Axis Community Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable, low-income and underserved people in the region. (Photo courtesy Axis) 
Volunteers and neighbors head out for Goodness Village’s annual fishing trip, an opportunity to relax, bond and enjoy the outdoors together. (Photo by Jackie Ayo / Goodness Village) 
Sunflower Hill program participants having fun at our Friday Night Live event. (Photo by Olivia Christensen / Sunflower Hill) 
REACH resident in outdoor garden space at home. (Photo courtesy Tri-Valley REACH) 
A Camp Arroyo participant shares a comforting moment with Valley Humane’s Canine Comfort Pet-Assisted Therapy dogs Mason and Baylee. (Photo courtesy Valley Humane Society) 
Sunflower Hill program participants at Irby Ranch. (Photo by Olivia Christensen / Sunflower Hill) 
AniMeals Pet Food Pantry volunteers distribute pet food to the community. (Photo courtesy Valley Humane Society) 
“PPIE has helped fund an incredible opportunity for middle and high school students. With the grant funding I was able to create an amazing art club where virtual students get together, in person, and bond over art on Fridays. Many have been incredibly happy for this Art Club and look forward to it during the week,” said Danny Hwang, Pleasanton Virtual Academy (PVA) student & Friday Art Club organizer. (Photo courtesy PPIE) 
Culinary Angels volunteers pack nutritious meals for cancer patients and their caregivers in the Tri-Valley. (Photo courtesy Culinary Angels) 
CityServe’s health education manager at its wellness class showing the craft they made. (Photo by Christine Beitsch-Bahmani / CityServe) 
Dennis takes a few tries to get up to his walker after CityServe’s Ironwood class. Earlier this autumn, he stood up on his own after the first try. Everyone there was so supportive and gave him a big cheer, according to CityServe staff. (Photo by Lisa Tom / CityServe) 
Axis Community Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable, low-income and underserved people in the region. (Photo courtesy Axis) 
All of Open Heart Kitchen’s Community Meal Program meals are prepared and served onsite by a team of compassionate staff and volunteers. (Photo by Chuck Deckert)
The Pleasanton Weekly, and its sister publications Livermore Vine and DanvilleSanRamon, are encouraging the community to contribute to 10 critical nonprofits in the Tri-Valley this season as part of the 2025-26 Holiday Fund.
The annual giving campaign, which runs from now through mid-January, will benefit 10 local organizations: Axis Community Health, CityServe of the Tri-Valley, Culinary Angels, Goodness Village, Open Heart Kitchen, Pleasanton Partnerships in Education, Sunflower Hill, Tri-Valley Haven, Tri-Valley REACH and Valley Humane Society.
With the holiday season upon us, our news organization humbly asks readers, businesses and other community partners to consider giving to these safety-net nonprofits committed to supporting residents in need throughout the Tri-Valley. Every single dollar raised during the Holiday Fund will be split evenly among the beneficiaries.
The program is being managed by our Embarcadero Media Foundation, which means that 100% of the money raised will go directly to the 10 designated nonprofits, with all donations fully tax deductible as well as eligible for corporate matching where applicable thanks to our foundation’s own 501(c)(3) status. We cover all administration and other expenses at no cost to the Holiday Fund.
Visit PleasantonWeekly.com/holiday_fund to help spread some cheer this holiday season. Learn more about the beneficiaries below:
Valley Humane Society
Strengthening the bond between people and pets for nearly 40 years, Pleasanton-based Valley Humane Society facilities adoptions of dogs and cats, provides life-saving medical care like spay and neuter operations, offers its AniMeals Pet Food Pantry and shares emotional support through its Canine Comfort Pet-Assisted Therapy program.
As an independent local nonprofit, Valley Humane relies heavily on contributions from residents and businesses. Donations made during the holiday season help bolster its focus on keeping families and pets together.
“We’re truly honored to be selected this year!” President & CEO Melanie Sadek said of the Holiday Fund. “Valley Humane relies entirely on community support — no federal or state funding keeps our programs going. Thank you for recognizing how much companion animals mean to us all and for celebrating the joy they bring to people every day.”
Tri-Valley REACH
Dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live independently in the area, Tri-Valley REACH owns and maintains safe, high-quality residences offered to I/DD tenants at rent-capped affordable rates.
“The number of individuals with I/DD seeking to live independently in our community continues to grow; however, finding affordable housing for this population, which is at or below 30% area median income, remains a serious challenge,” REACH Board Chair Kay King told the Weekly.
Donations to the Holiday Fund will help REACH add another accessory-dwelling unit to an existing property. The all-volunteer nonprofit, which operates with an annual budget of only $400,000, also supports enrichment through programs like T-RADD athletics, sponsoring sports scholarships and hosting community events.
“With the State of California adopting a streamlined approach to ADUs to ease the housing shortage, it has opened up a pathway for REACH to expand its housing offerings to the I/DD community,” said Patrick O’Brien, REACH treasurer. “With the support of the City of Pleasanton and Alameda County along with generous contributions from the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund, REACH is ready to start a second ADU for two new residents.”
Tri-Valley Haven
Participation in the 2025-26 Holiday Fund will have “a profound impact on the families we serve”, according to Executive Director Christine Dillman.
The community-based nonprofit operates a domestic violence shelter, homeless shelter, food pantry, counseling and comprehensive advocacy services for survivors of sexual or domestic violence and those experiencing housing and food insecurity.
“These grant funds allow us to provide food and holiday support to local families who are facing severe economic hardship or escaping violence,” Dillman said. “At a time when so many are struggling to meet their basic needs, this community investment brings stability, dignity and hope. We are deeply grateful for the partnership and generosity that help our neighbors rebuild their lives.”
Sunflower Hill
Sunflower Hill is committed to creating opportunities for adults with I/DD to live, work, learn and thrive as part of the greater community in the Tri-Valley.
Its residential complex at Irby Ranch in Pleasanton provides 30 independent, affordable apartments, along with a wealth of experiential programming for its residents – and two more Sunflower Hill housing opportunities are in development in Dublin, along with one in Lafayette.
The Sunflower Hill Garden at Hagemann Ranch in Livermore serves as a place where I/DD adults can build educational, vocational and life skills, in addition to cultivating fresh produce that benefits other nonprofits in the area.
“At a time when so many nonprofits face uncertainty, local giving matters more than ever. And thanks to the Pleasanton Weekly, it’s a very easy process,” founder Susan Houghton said. “Donations will help the heart of our mission — creating joyful, inclusive spaces for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and thrive.”
PPIE
The Pleasanton Partnerships in Education Foundation focuses on bringing together families, businesses and civic partners to enhance learning opportunities for all students in the Pleasanton Unified School District.
And with the tough budgetary landscape PUSD is now facing, PPIE’s efforts are as crucial as ever, Executive Director Andrea Wilson noted.
“The holiday season of giving comes at a crucial time for our schools,” she said. “With the district facing significant budget cuts, community support through PPIE truly matters. Every contribution — big or small — helps us keep students connected, inspired and supported.”
Specifically, PPIE is raising money to support mental health and wellness services, elementary music, library hours and classroom innovation grants for all 15 public schools in Pleasanton.
“This season always reminds me how even the smallest acts of generosity can make a big difference,” PPIE Board President Jenifer Flynn said. “Your support of the Holiday Fund helps PPIE continue funding the programs our students count on — especially now, as our district faces tough budget cuts. I’m so grateful for the incredible community that continues to stand behind our schools.”
Open Heart Kitchen
The Tri-Valley’s largest provider of free meals to those in need, Open Heart Kitchen serves the region through its Community Meal Program, Senior Meal Program, Open Heart Food Bank and Open Heart Refuge overnight shelter.
As demand for its services has grown steadily, donations to the Holiday Fund will help OHK sustain and expand its Community Meal Program, which provides freshly prepared, nutritious meals to anyone in need at the Vineyard Resource Center in Livermore.
“It truly takes a village to do what we do, and for the last 30 years, this village has shown up,” Executive Director John Bost said.
“We’re proud not only to serve our neighbors, but to stand shoulder to shoulder with people who share our belief that the strength of a community is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable,” Bost added. “Thank you, Pleasanton Weekly readers, for being faithful and tireless champions in our growing village of compassion.”
Goodness Village
Goodness Village maintains a safe, supportive tiny-home community in Livermore where folks emerging from chronic homelessness can rebuild stability, health and connection.
“Being chosen for the Holiday Fund is a powerful reminder that our neighbors’ strength and stories matter. These resources let us honor their resilience and bring warmth, connection, and hope to their holiday season,” Executive Director Kim Curtis told the Weekly.
“This holiday support isn’t just a gift — it’s a celebration of courage, community and the promise of brighter days,” she said.
Culinary Angels
“Every meal we share is a message of love and care,” Culinary Angels Board Member Ellen Bozzo said.
The volunteer-based nonprofit has a singular mission: preparing and delivering nutritious, organic meals to individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers across the Tri-Valley.
Donations are coming at a critical time, as Culinary Angels attempts to meet an increased demand for meals while coping with increased costs for ingredients and delivery supplies, according to Executive Director Mansoor Sakhiy.
“We’re so grateful to once again be part of the Holiday Fund. This support makes it possible for us to continue providing nutritious, organic meals to people who need strength and comfort the most,” Sakhiy said. “Next year marks our 10-year anniversary of serving the Tri-Valley, and this kind of community partnership reminds us just how far we’ve come — and how much more we can do together.”
CityServe of the Tri-Valley
With a cache of senior support programming in the Tri-Valley, as well as coordinating services for people experiencing homelessness and other needs, CityServe seeks to engender a community “where everyone can find help and everyone can help”.
“The Holiday Fund makes it possible for CityServe to do what we do best: connect people to care with compassion,” CEO Christine Beitsch-Bahmani told the Weekly. “This investment ensures our senior wellness programs don’t just meet needs — they foster belonging, confidence and community.”
“This funding helps us bring wellness to life — not just through services, but through the personal connections that make people feel known, supported and part of something bigger,” she added.
Axis Community Health
The Tri-Valley’s only community health center providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages, Axis is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable, low-income and underserved people in the region.
Its mission is simple to state, but complex to realize: “Make sure every person has access to high-quality medical, dental and behavioral health services so they can stay strong, healthy and cared for throughout the year.”
Local community contributions like the Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund are critical to fulfilling the holistic vision.
“Families across the Tri-Valley are facing real hardship, and access to care should never be something they have to give up,” Axis CEO Liz Perez-Howe said. “This support strengthens our ability to deliver medical, dental and behavioral health services to the people who rely on us most. We are grateful for the partnership and the shared commitment to a healthier, more equitable community.”
