Three Valleys Community Foundation Names MLK Legacy Award Winners

PLEASANTON, CA — The Three Valleys Community Foundation announced its honorees for its 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Breakfast & Awards, which will take place Jan. 26 at the Palm Event Center in the Vineyard in Pleasanton.

The Legacy Award winners have all made measurable, lasting impacts on the Tri-Valley through their commitment to King’s vision of community leadership, justice, and collective action, 3VCF said in a news release.
“As a former Legacy Award honoree myself, I know how powerful it is to belong to a community that doesn’t wait for change, it creates it,” said 3VCF Board Chair John Sensiba. “Dr. King reminded us that the time to act is always now. These honorees are translating that urgency into lasting impact for our region and future generations.”

2026 Legacy Award Honorees

Alamo - Gina Harlow & Mindy Longo (IMPACT Diablo Valley): Harlow and Longo have mobilized more than 200 local local families to grant more than $886,000 over seven years to address issues like domestic violence, early childhood trauma, homelessness, and foster care.

Danville - David Behring: As leader of the Blackhawk Museum and president of the Wheelchair Foundation, Behring has helped expand local access to art and culture, and advanced civic pride through initiatives such as the Veterans Memorial Building and All-Wars Memorial.

San Ramon - Gary Alpert: Alpert has devoted his life to a variety of local leadership roles, including education foundations, arts advocacy, and city planning initiatives.

Dublin - Michael Karami: Karami helps strengthen community connection and mutual understanding through initiatives like Dublin’s first “Community Conversations,” which help to elevate marginalized voices, and foster public dialogue, empathy, and participation.

Pleasanton - Gary & Nancy Harrington: The Harringtons have generously supported numerous public art initiatives, local service organizations, and nonprofits.

Sunol - Jim O’Laughlin: O’Laughlin has helped improve infrastructure and civic engagement in Sunol through a variety of projects, including environmental restoration and historic preservation.

Livermore - Faith Alpher: Alpher has helped empower young people to find their voice and bridge divides through a variety of local and national youth workshops on storytelling and performance.

Additionally, 3VCF named Rabia Badar of Dublin as the first recipient of the Young Philanthropist Award. Badar is founder and president of the Junior Civitan Club, and has raised over $30,000 for families and communities facing financial and food insecurity. She raised $25,000 to provide laptops for 120 low-income families, raised $4,200 for the Alameda County Community Food Bank (about 8,000 meals), and more than $1,300 for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. Badar has been recognized by the Dublin City Council, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

Badar was chosen out of 49 nominations.

The award ceremony will take place Monday, Jan. 26 from 8-9:30 a.m., and will highlight community work under the theme of the “Fierce Urgency of Now.” The ceremony will also feature keynote remarks from William “Bubba” Paris, a former offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers who helped lead his team to three Superbowl championships.

See here for tickets and more information.

SEE ALSO:

• Dublin Teen Wins Philanthropy Award For Raising Over $30K
• 'Make A Difference' Festival To Promote Volunteerism In The Tri-Valley
• Three Valleys Community Foundation Launches Sunol Recovery Fund