On January 17, 2024, the Napa-Solano Building Trades successfully hosted its 26th Annual Crab Feed at the Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building (VVMB). The event attracted over 500 attendees, showcasing community spirit and support for local initiatives. Among those present were Vietnam War combat veterans, including U.S. Representative Mike Thompson, who joined fellow veterans in the kitchen to assist with the festivities.
The VVMB will continue to engage the community with its next fundraiser on March 7, 2024, at 18:00. This event promises an “all you can eat” feast featuring crab, pasta, salad, and garlic bread, with tickets priced at $70 per person. To participate, interested individuals can reach out to Building Manager Kayla via email at [email protected] or by phone at (707) 551-9435 or (707) 644-3097.
Community involvement extends beyond fundraising efforts. On January 31, volunteers from Rebuilding Together Solano County (RTSC) installed free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for residents of Vallejo Mobile Home Estates Park, enhancing safety within the community.
The Vallejo Senior Roundtable, hosted by former City Council member Tom Bartee, took place on February 2, 2024, at the Florence Douglas Center. This monthly gathering featured guest speakers such as Tracee Stacy, an Education & Outreach Specialist with Prevention and Early Access for Seniors, and Tara Beasley-Stansberry, a Planning Commissioner and candidate for Vallejo City Council District 5. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Representative John Garamendi, State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, and Assembly member Lori Wilson typically attend these informative meetings, fostering a connection between constituents and their elected officials.
In a spiritual initiative, St. Catherine of Siena in Vallejo recently welcomed several young adults into its Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program. While permanent pastor Father Glenn Jaron was on bereavement leave, visiting priests Father Pierre Celestin Musoni and Father Jess Soriano provided support during the ceremony. The church also runs various ministries, including Mensa Christie, which delivers over 1,500 hot meals weekly to those in need within Vallejo.
Highlighting personal achievements, Chief Petty Officer Robert Bienkowski, a native of American Canyon, currently serves in the U.S. Navy with the Afloat Training Group in San Diego. Bienkowski, a 2008 graduate of American Canyon High School, joined the Navy 16 years ago, inspired by family military traditions. He reflects on the values instilled in him growing up, stating, “I learned that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard.”
Bienkowski serves as an operations specialist and takes pride in earning the rank of chief petty officer, a significant milestone in his military career. He credits his family for their support, emphasizing, “Serving in the Navy offers a great deal of pride. Not everyone is able to serve in the military. I feel like I’m following in my family’s footsteps, but I’m doing it my way.”
Through these events and personal stories, the Vallejo community continues to demonstrate resilience and a commitment to supporting one another, reflecting a shared dedication to service and engagement.
