The Sacramento County 2026 5 Over 50 award recipients are Antonia Lopez (District 1), Shirley Fong (District 2), Jodi Sato-King (District 3), Ed Valencia (District 4) and Dave King (District 5). Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Whether it’s raising money for families in need, helping travelers navigate the airport, or building new homes, there are dozens of ways volunteers in Sacramento County make a difference in our community.

This year, Sacramento County’s Adult and Aging Commission is celebrating five compassionate individuals who, instead of slowing down as they aged, decided to get involved and make a difference where they live. To celebrate these individuals, the commission is awarding them with the 2026 5 Over 50 Award. To win, each volunteer must be over the age of 50 and must be nominated by at least two people who see the standout work they are doing.

Thank you to this year’s winners.

The winner representing district one is Antonia Lopez. When Antonia’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, she decided to educate herself about the illness and find ways to help older adults. She learned about the Hart Senior Center and began taking her mother. Antonia herself soon became a volunteer at the Hart Center, helping develop programs and activities for Spanish-speaking older adults.

Antonia stays busy finding ways to help and educate others. She has spent more than 15 years advancing the health, independence and quality of life of older adults in Sacramento County, coordinating quarterly health education programs in partnership with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Research Center and the POINTER Study, while also reducing barriers to care through screenings, adaptive equipment, and Paratransit passes for 24 members.

Antonia says she’s especially grateful to the Hart Center and UC Davis for the compassion they show for seniors like herself.

“I do it as a service for others, but really, it’s a service for me. It keeps me able to do the kind of things that I can do to contribute,” Antonia said of her volunteer work.

The winner representing district two is Shirley Fong. Shirley has been one of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s most passionate volunteers - contributing nearly 5,000 hours in support of affordable homeownership, housing stability and community revitalization.

Shirley remembers seeing Jimmy Carter commercials about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She’d never done home renovation projects, but that didn’t stop her. She’s now learned more about landscaping and painting and even installed flooring in new homes.

“I like working with the homeowners; they’re really fun and interesting, and we get to know each other pretty well,” said Shirley.

Lately, Shirley is helping families in Citrus Heights build new homes, but she has helped construct homes all across the County.

The winner in district three is Jodi Sato-King. Jodi led the effort to help create a more accessible space at Sailor Bar while protecting the nature that calls the American River home.

Through her collaboration with Regional Parks staff and Supervisor Rich Desmond, Friends of Sailor Bar raised more than $30,000 to install 19 accessible benches and tables, mobilized volunteers to restore vegetation at the Turtle Pond, and partnered with state and regional agencies to remove a rock dam to improve salmon migration. Jodi is especially grateful to the parks staff and Parks Department Director Liz Bellas for collaborating with Friends of Sailor Bar to create a more welcoming space for community members to enjoy.

“When we come together and we use our skills and our passion, to be able to enrich this community – especially at Sailor Bar – by making it more accessible and educating people to respect and enjoy nature, that is so rewarding,” said Jodi.

Jodi says the friends she’s made through her volunteer work keep her going and make her feel connected to the community. Jodi continues to collaborate with Sacramento County’s Parks Department and hopes to find ways to keep improving our parks through the partnership with the department.

Ed Valencia is the winner for district four. Ed, a lifelong Rio Linda resident, has dedicated more than four decades to community service, beginning in the 1970’s when he joined the Lions Club of Rio Linda. He has since served in numerous leadership roles—including President and Secretary—while leading longstanding projects such as Ruby’s Baskets Christmas Program to support families in need.

Ed believes in pouring love back into the community he grew up in. All the money raised by the Lions Club of Rio Linda helps residents in Rio Linda.

“Any money we raise in the community, has to go back into the community so we try to help out however we can,” said Ed.

In district five, Dave King took home the award. Dave, has served as a dedicated Sacramento International Airport (SMF) Ambassador since 2017, becoming a standout veteran volunteer known for his calm personality, reliability and exceptional ability to welcome and assist travelers at both Terminal A and Terminal B. Since becoming an ambassador, Dave has encouraged several people he knows to join the program.

“It looked like it would be fun [to be an SMF Ambassador] and it has turned out to be a whole lot of fun. My friends who come and join enjoy it for the same reason I do – because it’s a positive environment,” said Dave.

Dave finds other ways to give back outside of helping travelers. He also regularly donates blood. Dave says he enjoys helping others now that’s he retired because it’s a rewarding way to use his time.

Sacramento County’s 5 Over 50 Volunteer Award winners represent the importance of staying active, finding your passion and helping others. Each winner helps make Sacramento County a great place to live.

The winners also remind us that we can all work together to make a difference in our community. You don’t have to be over the age of 50 or retired to give back – learn how you can get involved and volunteer in a variety of ways at saccounty.gov.

To get to know this year’s winners, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXJQmjSv0rM.