2026 Legacy Award Honorees
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast & Awards
David Behring has long served both the global community and the San Ramon Valley with vision and purpose. A respected civic and cultural leader in Danville, Alamo, and beyond, he has guided the Blackhawk Museum through a remarkable expansion, growing it from two galleries to six and strengthening its role as a regional center for education and inspiration. As President of the Wheelchair Foundation, David has advanced a global humanitarian mission to provide hope, mobility, and dignity to individuals with physical disabilities—raising awareness, fostering global friendship, and working toward a world in which every child, teen, and adult who needs a wheelchair has access to one. Locally, he is a dedicated Rotarian and civic volunteer and has played a consequential role in the creation and renewal of the Veterans Memorial Building and the All-Wars Memorial along the Danville–Alamo border. His enduring commitment to veterans, culture, and humanitarian service reflects a life devoted to service, stewardship, and the strengthening of community.
Michael Karami exemplifies values-driven leadership that advances unity through diversity and honors our shared humanity. Guided by principles of mutual respect, kindness, fairness, and understanding, Michael has strengthened community connection by elevating marginalized voices and creating spaces for meaningful public dialogue. He organized and hosted Dublin’s first Community Conversations, fostering open civic discourse and co-founded the Dublin Diversity and Inclusion Alliance to confront racism and eliminate prejudice. Through the Elimination of All Prejudice and Racism Dialogue, Michael has helped build an inclusive and growing movement dedicated to education, honest reflection, and courageous conversation. His work bridges divides, nurtures empathy, and advances inclusive civic participation—reminding our community that recognizing the oneness of humanity is not about sameness, but about respect, understanding, and embracing shared responsibility.
Faith Alpher is a brilliant comedian, writer, actress, and educator who uses humor, truth, and grace to bring people together across differences. Through her one-woman shows Black Girl, Funny World and Got Faith, Faith addresses complex and often divisive issues in ways that invite laughter and understanding, building bridges across political beliefs, religious perspectives, and personal experiences. She speaks boldly without dividing, creating spaces where people feel welcomed, seen, and willing to listen. Her impact resonates deeply with youth and the next generation. Through transformative workshops with students and educators locally and nationwide, Faith blends humor, storytelling, social-emotional learning, and lived experience to help young people find their voice, build resilience, and believe in their own potential. By courageously sharing her own story, including setbacks and self-doubt, she reminds students that GPA is not destiny, resilience matters, and every person arrives in the world with a purpose and a gift. Her vision inspired the inaugural Dr. MLK Jr. Faith & Freedom Legacy Walk, creating a safe, empowering opportunity for unity and collective healing in our increasingly diverse community.
Gary and Nancy Harrington have quietly dedicated themselves to the community they loved and called home—Pleasanton and the greater Tri-Valley, for decades. Former educators turned philanthropists, they began by investing in the local arts community and service initiatives, guided by a belief that art and compassion strengthen civic life. Their vision took enduring shape through the creation of the HAPPY Art Fund, which has permanently transformed Pleasanton’s public art landscape by bringing major works into shared civic spaces, supporting public art education, and encouraging reflection and connection through art walks and galleries. Beyond the arts, the Harringtons have generously supported a broad range of nonprofits, extending their impact across the community. Living out the ideals championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—service, dignity, and shared responsibility—they modeled humble, servant-led philanthropy. Without seeking recognition, they gave simply because they believed, offering a lasting gift that humanizes, unites, and strengthens a true community of character. They no longer reside in Pleasanton, but they remain very connected and committed to the community and causes they care most about.
Gary Alpert has been a dedicated volunteer leader in San Ramon for more than a decade, answering the call to serve wherever his community needs him most. Through his work as a planning commissioner, arts foundation board member, volunteer treasurer for civic campaigns, and co-chair of San Ramon’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, Gary has helped turn ideas into action and community vision into lasting impact. He lives Dr. King’s fierce urgency of now by stepping up and stepping forward rather than standing by—bringing clarity, follow-through, and a deep sense of responsibility to every role he serves. A longtime champion of public education, Gary has served on the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation Board since 2016 and currently serves as President, while also supporting the Run for Education as a volunteer and registration chair. His commitment to service reflects the belief that strong communities are built by those willing to lead with purpose, consistency, and heart. Through steady leadership and a generous investment of time and talent, Gary continues to strengthen civic life and inspire others to give back in meaningful ways. His example reminds us that lasting change begins with service rooted in care for community and the courage to take action.
Jim O’Laughlin is a fifth-generation Sunolian whose lifelong dedication to preserving and strengthening the Sunol community embodies the very spirit of civic stewardship. A proud alum of Sunol Glen School, Jim’s roots run deep. For decades, Jim has been a steadfast advocate for Sunol through his leadership with the Sunol Citizens’ Advisory Council, Save Our Sunol, and the Sunol Business Guild, championing thoughtful land use, environmental preservation, and community engagement. His vision and hands-on leadership helped transform surplus railroad land into the beloved Sunol Depot Gardens, rallying volunteers and partners to create a lasting public space that continues to thrive today. From launching recycling and green-waste initiatives, advancing tree planting and Monarch butterfly habitat projects, and supporting local journalism through Inform Sunol, to speaking out on issues of safety, governance, and educational access, Jim’s voice and actions have consistently reflected a deep commitment to the common, greater good. A familiar and trusted presence at community gatherings and public meetings, Jim remains a pillar of Sunol—honoring its past, protecting its character, and shaping its future in positive, lasting ways, for generations to come.
Gina Halow & Mindy Longo (Alamo)
Gina Halow & Mindy Longo have galvanized the Tri-Valley community to be both bold and thoughtful in its philanthropy. As co-founders of IMPACT Diablo Valley, they mobilize families across Danville, Alamo, and San Ramon to pool their resources—making it possible to give bigger, more impactful gifts than any individual could alone. In just seven years, their giving circle has granted $886,000 and engaged more than 200 families in collective philanthropy. Central to their vision is the inclusion of young people, instilling in the next generation the belief that anyone can be a philanthropist and that generosity is a shared responsibility. IMPACT Diablo Valley is known for making bold $100,000+ grants annually across a wide range of community needs in Contra Costa County, and their leadership shines brightest when addressing stigmatized and complex issues. From supporting survivors of domestic violence to confronting early childhood trauma, homelessness, and foster care, Gina and Mindy are courageous, compassionate leaders who are transforming lives and strengthening community.
3VCF NextGen Young Philanthropist Award Honoree
Rabia exemplifies the power of youth-driven leadership and compassion in action. Her commitment to service extends far beyond volunteer hours, as she identifies pressing community needs and creates practical, high-impact solutions. Through her leadership, Rabia has raised more than $30,000 and led initiatives providing technology, food, and essential support to hundreds of families. Beyond her measurable impact, Rabia inspires her peers to engage in service and embrace philanthropy as a lifelong commitment. Her initiative, empathy, and vision have created a lasting ripple effect, demonstrating that age is never a barrier to meaningful leadership and local impact.
3VCF NextGen Young Philanthropist Award Finalists
Founded the Teen Leadership Council (TLC), a first-of-its-kind arts community program empowering teens to serve, lead and give back through creativity and collaboration.
Launched two organizations to address food security: the San Ramon Valley HS Sustainability Club has collected 1700 pounds of food while the nonprofit, ‘Behind the Shelf’ has provided 7000+ meals to local neighbors in need.
Created a comprehensive LGBTQ inclusive health curriculum for Monte Vista (MV) High School. Serves as the President of the MV Gender-Sexuality Alliance.
Launched an international political literacy and learning groups that’s mobilized 1000+ volunteers to help address civic education.
Launched Kindhearts, a nonprofit addressing dental hygiene accessibility in underserved communities. Logged 160+ hours of volunteer service at John Muir Hospital.
Founder of two nonprofits: Hunger 4 Heroes – addressing food insecurity, and Lost and Found Heroes, which redistributes lost and found items from schools to those in need.
Has logged more than 525 hours of volunteer and community service helping local nonprofits, and churches in Livermore.
Leads Magnus United, a youth nonprofit that’s organized donation drives addressing food security, homelessness and other crisis driven shortages.
Founder of ScholarBloom Foundation, which has provided more than 20,000 school supplies to schools in need and BioLearn Institute, which designs and teaches biotechnology lessons to elementary schools.