2016 Recipients
Becky Dennis
moved to Pleasanton with her husband, Murray, in 1988. She soon found herself inspired by the community's spirit and the civic activism of its residents. That inspiration continues to this day.
Becky first volunteered with Save Pleasanton Ridgelands Committee, a group of citizens working to assure the EBRPD's planned expansion of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. This successful endeavor eventually led to her service as a Pleasanton City Councilmember from 1993 to 2002. During these 9+ years, her interest in open space protection broadened to include other important planning issues such as affordable senior and workforce housing, the preservation Tri-Valley agriculture, and natural resource conservation.
Since retiring from City Council Becky has continued to volunteer in these areas, serving on the boards of Citizens for a Caring Community, Pleasanton Gardens, the Kottinger Place Redevelopment Task Force, and the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center. She currently serves as Board President for the Alameda County Resource Conservation District and the Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley.
In her spare time, Becky enjoys working with Murray on her backyard "mini-farm", studying the use of drought tolerant California plants, and photographing the critters that visit her native landscaping experiments.
Don Lewis
is a vocalist/keyboard artist, composer and educator and pioneer in electronic musical instrument design. He became one of the pioneers in synthesizer use and technology. He has performed at concerts world-wide and as a soloist with many symphony orchestras. He has delighted thousands of school children across the US and Canada with his musical assemblies.
His mission is to inspire and empower audiences to achieve their dreams. His music brings a message of hope, respect and community. He spreads his goodwill throughout our community with his inspiring and uplifting music by performing free of charge to many organizational events, celebrations and school activities. He works hard at spreading his joy through music and gives selflessly, often without thought of reward. He has inspired many in our community with his love, compassion and positive messaging through his music.
Marie Stapleton
and her husband Padraig, originally from Ireland, are raising their family in Pleasanton. Marie, who has a background in computer science and math, left the workforce to raise her three children.
She currently serves as PTA President and helps wherever needed in her kids' schools and other activities. When Marie sees a need, she is the first to step forward to fill it. She is a great relationship builder so she easily engages others to help! When she hears about a family in need, she mobilizes others to help provide for them. When a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, Marie was quick to step in and make sure meals were provided and the kids were taken care of. When a family was in need of clothes for their kids, Marie cleaned out her own kids' closets and provided a new wardrobe (and even toys and games) for the family.
One of Marie's greatest assets is her humility. She never seeks the limelight, she just does what she can to make a difference in her community and in the lives of those around her.
Friends of the Pleasanton Library
works tirelessly in the community and improves the services of the Pleasanton City Library by their fundraising efforts, gifts to the library and being a model for other libraries in the area. They annually raise about $60,000 which is channeled back into the library in the form of materials, library services and programs.
The Friends sponsor a Spring and Fall book sale each year, as well as a continuous book sale in the library.
They also provide a large core of regular volunteers to supplement existing library staff. Many volunteer regularly scheduled hours.
Their efforts have helped to result in the City of Pleasanton Library being one of the most respected and well used libraries in the area.