NCQA annual report card gives the HMO 4.5 out of 5 stars
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the national evaluator of health insurance plans, has once again recognized Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) as one of the highest rated health plans in the nation and among the best in California for patient experience and quality of care.
Among health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering Medi-Cal, CCHP was one of the top three plans in California to be awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest level awarded this year, on NCQA’s annual report card.
CCHP was also one of just 14 Medicaid plans in the United States to receive 4.5 out of 5 stars, achieving exceptionally high marks among patients for treatment and preventative care including children and women’s care and cancer screening.
“Being recognized among the nation’s top health plans is a huge accomplishment for our staff, providers and partners,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This rating shows that our community trusts and values the care that we provide and encourages us to keep pushing towards our goal to deliver high-quality care and improve the health of our community.”
For over 50 years, Contra Costa Health has provided high-quality, affordable coverage through CCHP. CCHP was the nation’s first federally qualified, state-licensed, county-sponsored HMO.
“I’m so proud of the work this team has done to enable us to get this excellent rating and to serve the people of Contra Costa County,” Contra Costa Health CEO Dr Grant Colfax said. “We will continue to address community health priorities,and we look forward to what we can accomplish together in this next year.”
CCHP’s high marks and recognition by NCQA are a direct result of the exemplary care and patient support provided by Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, community clinics in CCHP’s community provider network, and CCH’s Public Health and Behavioral Health divisions. Altogether, CCHP touches about 271,000 members, including 265,000 Medi-Cal enrollees.
Visit Contra Costa Health Plan to learn more about CCHP, including how to enroll if you need healthcare, or call 1-800-211-8040 weekdays.
About NCQA: NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
U.S. News & World Report’s annual study rates hospitals among the top 30 percent in the nation for the treatment of complex medical conditions and procedures
Antioch rated high performing in 6 adult procedures & conditions; Oakland/Richmond ranked #4, Walnut Creek ranked #9
By Elissa Harrington, Sr. Media Relations & PR Rep, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
OAKLAND, CA – Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s hospitals are once again being nationally recognized for providing patients with comprehensive care and evidence-based treatments for complex medical conditions and procedures.
U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospitals annual report ranks all 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals as “high-performing” – or among the top 30% of hospitals in the nation – for at least one of the 37 measures evaluated. The measures include congestive heart failure, pneumonia, colorectal cancer surgery, stroke, and diabetes.
Approximately, 4,500 hospitals participated in the study, which analyzes hospital performance for 15 specialty care areas and 22 procedures and conditions. The “high performing” designation honors those hospitals that deliver high-quality care when treating complex medical conditions.
Kaiser Permanente hospitals are consistently recognized nationally for providing high-quality and safe patient care leading to better health outcomes.
“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to provide superior, quality health care to improve the lives of our patients, members, and the communities we serve,” said Mike Bowers, FACHE, interim president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Our hospitals are leaders in the nation because our highly skilled care teams put our patients at the center of everything they do.”
Hospitals ranked among best in state
Kaiser Permanente Northern California has eight hospitals designated as “Best Regional Hospitals” because they are ranked among the best in the state: Oakland/Richmond ranked #4, Walnut Creek ranked #9, Roseville, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara and South Sacramento.
Kaiser Permanente Vallejo is also ranked as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation for rehabilitation. And Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento is recognized as a “Best Regional Hospital for Community Access” for the care it provides to underserved populations.
Kaiser Antioch Medical Center, a general medical and surgical facility, is rated high performing in six adult procedures and conditions, including: Heart Failure; Stroke; Hip Fracture; Hip Replacement; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumonia.
“Our physicians, nurses, and care teams work collaboratively to deliver high-quality, high-value, patient-centered care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “We remain committed to advancing evidence-based treatments and leveraging the latest innovations in technology to improve the lives of our patients to live longer and healthier.”
In its hospital analysis, U.S. News & World Report uses publicly available data such as volume, mortality rates, infection rates, staffing levels, and patient satisfaction rates, among other factors.
The annual ratings and rankings are designed to help patients, and their health care providers make informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technological advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
The 151 members of the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Class of 2025 celebrate, some by tossing their caps into the air. All photos by Selena Cedano unless noted.
By Allen D. Payton
The 151 graduates of the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement on Thursday evening, June 5, 2025, inside Wolverines Stadium at Deer Valley High School, along family, friends, faculty, staff and school board trustees. Entering to the traditional sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” the class was led onto the field by Principal Blair Wilkins.
DLMHS Principal Blair Wilkins leads the processional onto the field at Wolverines Stadium and class members wait to be seated Thursday evening, June 5, 2025.
The Presentation of the Colors by the U.S. Navy Color Guard was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by three of the graduates, Gabriel Fuentes-Carrillo, Hannah Chung and Shari Bengco. ASB President Chloe Liang then led her classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ASB President Chloe Liang leads in reciting the National Anthem as AUSD Director of Student Support Services Tim Cooper participates (left). Video screenshot. The U.S. Navy Color Guard presents the Colors and Hannah Chung, Shari Bengco and Gabriel Fuentes-Carrillo perform the National Anthem.
Wilkins welcomed all those in attendance and introduced Antioch Unified School District Board President Antonio Hernandez, Vice President Mary Rocha and Trustees Dee Brown and Olga Cobos-Smith, and district leadership. Hernandez then shared his thoughts about his own experience as a Dozier-Libbey graduate.
Principal Wilkins spoke to the graduates followed by School Board President, and Dozier-Libbey alumni, Antonio Hernandez, as teacher Lisa Godinez (left) and Trustees Dee Brown and Olga Cobos-Smith (right) listen.
Student Speakers
Saryah Tokhay and Valedictorians Johnross Rayos and Jessica Rodriguez spoke to the graduates.
Tokhay spoke of “Hope” quoting Emily Dickinson. “That bird, hope, has been with us all along. It sang when we were little first graders. It sang when our hands and knees shook during our first high school presentation.”
She then spoke of several teachers scheduling tests “all in the same week. It was like an academic ambush.”
“It sang quietly in the background reminding us that we’ve made it this far,” Tokhay continued speaking about hope.
Student speakers included Saryah Tokhay (left) and Valedictorians Jessica Rodriguez and Johnross Rayos.
She then mentioned preparing for her final school project and some inspiring words from her younger, 12-year-old sister. “She said that to remind me of this wild, emotional, in-between moment is something I’ll miss someday, that I’ll want to feel this moment again.”
“She said it to help me understand that instead of dreading an unknown future, I should live in this moment and let that little bird’s quiet and steady voice sing of hope,” Tokhay stated.
She then thanked the teachers, families and her friends.
“The bird still sings. Congratulations, Class of 2025,” Tokhay concluded.
The Class of 2025 listen to the speakers and graduates line up in the queue for their diplomas, guided by members of the Honor Guard from the Junior Class.
Together, Rodriguez and Rayos took to the podium and shared their thoughts, as well.
Rodriguez spoke of their time in school together saying, “Four years ago we were graduating middle school, not in person but behind a screen” referring to their experience during COVID. She compared that to “walking through our small campus in our scrubs.”
“Suddenly things got real,” she continued. “We became more thoughtful, culturally aware. Group projects redefined how we work together and communicate.”
“Then, junior year came crashing in more demanding than we expected with new AP classes and heavier workloads,” Rodriguez shared. “Then we began senior year, the year we assumed would drag on but actually went by in a blink.”
“We became involved in our community, discovering the impact we could have and realizing we were truly growing up,” she stated. “Along the path we made priceless friendships. High school taught us a final lesson. It’s in our hands to pave our own road, create our future. I hope all of us remember that we were forged into one family…the changes and contributions we make in the future will impact all of us. Perfection was never the goal, progress was.”
“Your strength is only limited by the boundaries your mind places on your heart. Break through them, We did it and now the next chapter of our lives is beginning,” Rodriguez concluded.
Rayos implored his classmates to remember the words, “Good enough. You are good enough.”
He encouraged the graduates to reflect on their time at Dozier-Libbey. “You are more than enough.”
“You are more than qualified to become a nurse, a doctor, an engineer or whatever you decide to pursue in your career,” Rayos stated. “Think of today’s ceremony as the beginning of another journey…that will mold you into something amazing and fulfilling; a journey worthy of infinite memories and a worthy story you can pass on to your future families.”
“And please remember, you will always be enough,” he concluded.
Many of the graduates decorated their caps with personal messages.
Wilkins offered his first graduation speech as principal saying, “I would like to thank you for welcoming me to our school community. Congratulations on earning your high school diploma, a major milestone that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Each of you before me has a story and your next chapter is just about to start.”
“You are prepared to face life’s challenges because you are a graduate of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School,” he continued. “I would like to wish you luck.”
Wilkins then offered “key pieces of advice that I’ve learned since graduating 26 years ago from this very field,” referring to his own time at Deer Valley High School.
Video screenshots.
“Continue to advance yourself through education,” he stated. “Education is the key that will unlock doors and your growth as you continue. Surround yourself with good people. With good people, working as a team, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
“Don’t forget about the community that helped raise the person who you are,” Wilkinson encouraged the class. “Strong communities need strong leaders like you.”
“You are not just the future of America, you are the proof that all people, from all walks of life can come together and be stronger as one,” Wilkinson concluded.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne then offered the official Acceptance of the Class of 2025, informing them they had completed all the state and district requirements to graduate.
“Henceforth you are to be considered high school graduates and alumni of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School. Congratulations,” he stated to cheers from the class and audience.
The diplomas were then distributed by the school board trustees as the names were read by DLMHS teacher Lisa Godinez.
Senior Class President Talia Major leads her fellow graduates in the turning of their tassels. (Left – Video screenshot)
Senior Class President Talia Major then led her fellow classmates in the turning of the tassels saying, “The tassel turning is meant to signify the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. As we close our chapter at Dozier-Libbey one specific song comes to mind. One Direction once said, ‘Good-byes are bittersweet, but it’s not the end. I’ll see your face again.’ Since this is our last time together I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll all go on to success.”
That was followed by several of the graduates tossing their caps into the air to celebrate.
Come out on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14th at 11AM as the VFW will officially rename Antioch VFW Post 6435 in honor of John McMullen, a proud U.S. Army Veteran and lifelong Antioch resident who dedicated his life to this community — even helping build the very VFW building we’re naming after him!
And what better day than the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday to celebrate John’s legacy of service? We’re honored to welcome Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal and other local officials for this special dedication. Let’s come together to celebrate John’s life, service, and the values that unite us. Don’t miss this powerful tribute to a true hometown hero!
SACRAMENTO—Thirty-four California schools have been named recipients of the 2025 Civic Learning Awards, honoring and recognizing measurable schoolwide achievements in civics. The award program, now in its twelfth year, is co-sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.
“When young people advocate and raise their voices, they have the power to drive meaningful change in their communities,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Education is fundamental to achieving our democratic ideals, and these schools have played an exceptional role in shaping the leaders of the future.”
“I find these award applications truly inspiring—each one is deserving of recognition,” said Chief Justice Guerrero. “They highlight the powerful stories of committed educators who, despite the challenges, are finding creative ways to ensure students can fully engage with and understand civics.”
Since their inception in 2013, the awards have been presented more than 500 times to traditional, charter, and magnet schools. In recent years, community schools and continuation schools have submitted high-ranking applications. This year, a court school applied for the first time.
Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of judges comprised of representatives from the California courts and the California Department of Education (CDE) who are not tied to counties or districts in the pool.
In addition to the information provided by the applicant, points are added for schools in districts with Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) that include terms and actions associated with civic learning. Applicants also earn points for participating in the Judges in the Classroom program and for creating processes and criteria related to the State Seal of Civic Engagement.
Mural designed, created, and installed by LMC art students to celebrate the 51st Commencement. Source: LMC
Honors 1,358 Class of 2025 graduates on Friday
By Juliet V. Casey,Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA – Los Medanos College is pleased to announce its 51st Commencement celebration to held at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, May 23 inside the LMC Stadium.
The ceremony honors 1,358 graduates who earned 2,266 awards, including 662 associate of arts degrees, 176 associates of science degrees, 228 associates of arts degrees for transfer, 302 associates of science degrees for transfer and 698 certificates of achievement.
The stadium is located at 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg. Students should plan to arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. for check-in and line-up on the Softball Field.
“We are exceedingly proud of the Class of 2025,” LMC President Pamela Ralston said. “This group represents resilience and courage as well as an abiding hope for a brilliant future.”
As part of her address to graduates, Ralston will highlight graduating students for their achievements in the classroom, in their campus life and in the community. She will acknowledge the special status of several of the graduates who persevered as the first in their families to attend and graduate college. Others, she recognizes for their determination to expand their horizons even as they care for children or others. She also recognizes students who continued to work to support their families while attending college, veterans, and those who took courageous steps to start new traditions and events, contributing to the cultural wealth of LMC’s college community.
Featured graduation speakers Naw Shanyda Soe, Associate of Arts: Biological Science, Graduating with Honors and Mikayla Ari Hubbard, Associate in Science for Transfer: Business Marketing, Graduating with Honors. Source: LMC
Other featured speakers include honors graduates Naw Shanyda Soe, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts: Math and Science, Associate in Science for Transfer in Biology, and a Certificate of Achievement in Intersegmental General Education, and Mikayla Ari Hubbard, Associate in Arts for Transfer in Business Administration and a Certificate of Achievement in CSU General Education. Los Medanos College Associated Students President Armon Gozalez and District Student Trustee Halena Neyazi will help lead the turning of tassels.
Ceremony Details
The 2025 ceremony will be held on May 23, 2025, at 2:15 PM inside the LMC Stadium on the Pittsburg campus. Students should plan to arrive no later than 1:15 PM for check-in and line-up on the Softball Field.
The ceremony is general admission and no tickets are required to attend. There is NO RESERVED SEATING at the stadium. The stadium bleachers have wheelchair access with limited seating for people with disabilities. Chairs will also be placed on the walkway at ground level of the field for additional seating and accessibility. Guests should arrive early for optimal seating.
Source: LMC
LMC Stadium Policy: Prohibited Items
Los Medanos College is committed to providing a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience. Thank you for your cooperation with the following:
The following are not permitted anywhere on-campus:
1. Alcoholic beverages and smoking
2. Dogs/animals (except for service animals)
3. Weapons or explosives of any kind
The following are not permitted inside the Stadium:
Guests who attempt to bring the following inside the stadium will be asked to take them outside and/or return them to their vehicles.
1. Artificial noise-making devices
2. Glass bottles
3. Balloons
4. Signs/displays larger than 11”x17”. (All signs must be hand carried and may not be mounted on posts/poles/etc.)
5. Umbrellas larger than 42” are not permitted in the bleachers. (Larger umbrellas may be used in other areas of the stadium.)
For more ceremony details for the Class of 2025, please visit the LMC Commencement website. Additional details regarding the event will be available soon. Keep checking that page for more information.
About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
According to The Leapfrog Group’s biannual Hospital Safety Grades report, 15 Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California this spring received A grades including: Antioch, Fresno, Manteca, Modesto, Oakland, Roseville, Redwood City, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, and Vacaville.
“The safety of our patients is our top priority, and it’s at the heart of everything we do,” said Diablo Service Area Senior Vice President and Area Manager Pam Galley. “We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses and health care professionals who make a difference every day.”
Leapfrog reviews hospital clinical data, assigning hospitals grades based on approximately two dozen measures that analyze patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections.
“Our caring health care professionals work diligently to keep our patients safe while providing outstanding care,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Physician in Chief Sharon Mowat, MD. “Kaiser Permanente Antioch has received an “A” grade since 2022 – three years straight, fall and spring. We are committed to keeping everyone safe, whether they receive their care here or work here. Safety is our number one priority and goes hand in hand with our high quality of care.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades to nearly 3,000 hospitals throughout the United States. The grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, released its Hospital Safety Gradesafter examining publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections at U.S. hospitals. The report includes data collected by national health care organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Scores are calculated based on publicly available measures, and hospitals are then assigned A, B, C, D or F grades for their safety records. The grades are released as a free resource to help patients and their families make informed health care decisions.
Kaiser Permanente is one of America’s leading integrated health care providers and serves 12.5 million members. Nationally, 27 of the 39 Kaiser Permanente hospitals that were eligible for a grade, or more than two-thirds of our hospitals, received a Leapfrog Safety A grade. In contrast, less than one-third of the nation’s other hospitals received an A rating.
For more information and a complete list of the hospital safety grades, visit Leapfrog.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org
Antioch Veterans of the Year Dave Despain offers his gratitude for the honor (photo by Kord Holland) and Ray Yaker during last year’s Antioch Veterans Day ceremony, and the late Jimmy Bean. (Herald file photos)
David Despain for Most Impact, Ray Yaker for Lifetime achievement and Jimmy Bean recognized
By Antioch Chamber of Commerce
During the annual Gala on Friday, March 28, 2025, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce honored 2024/25 Antioch Veterans of the Year, David Despain for most impact and Ray Yaker for Lifetime achievement, and honored the late Jimmy Bean with a posthumous award recognizing him for years of service to the community. The event was held at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center.
2024/25 Antioch Veteran of the Year – David (Dave) Despain
I was born March 17, 1965, in Boulder, Colorado.I graduated from Niwot High School in Niwot Colorado in 1983 and enlisted in the Navy in July of 1983 as a Construction Mechanic in the Navy Sea Bees!
I attended Boot Camp in San Diego, then transferred to Port Hueneme for Construction Mechanic training and certification.
After completion of training my first set of orders were to Adak Alaska, where I spent 2 years working in Public Works supporting the snow equipment, aircraft refuelers and construction equipment to support the anti-submarine warfare efforts during the cold war.
After leaving Adak, I received orders to Navy Second Class Dive School in Coronado, Ca to eventually be assigned to UCT 2 (Underwater Construction Team 2) in Port Hueneme, CA.
After this assignment I transferred to NMCB 40 (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion) in Port Hueneme. Where I was deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and then later to Rota Spain.
In 1987, I received orders to the Concord Naval Weapons Station, which brought me to Antioch.
Released from Active Duty in 1992, I began a career with Caltrans (Highway Department).
In late 1992, I enlisted into the navy Reserves and joined CHB-3 (Cargo Handling Battalion) in Alameda, California. While assigned to CHB-3 we were tasked with mobilizing, storing, supplying Mobile Navy Hospitals around the world. This took me to several countries including, Turkey, Norway, Korea, and Guam.
I retired as a 1st Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy Seabees in August of 2006.
While in the reserves I joined the American Legion, Harding-Noia Post 161 in Antioch, CA. I worked with the American Legion in supporting youth programs by leading and sponsoring Cub Scout Pack 151 and Boy Scout Troop 151. In 2019 I became the Commander for Antioch’s American Legion Post 161 and am still serving as Commander.
More than 300 people attended this year’s Gala at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center. Photo by Kord Holland
2024/25 Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year – Ray Yaker
I was born in May of 1947 in Fresno Ca. to William & Martha Yaker, where I went to school and graduated from Roosevelt High in the spring of 1965. In January of ‘66 joined the Navy and later that year after completing a course at BT ‘A’ school was deployed on a West-Pac tour which included off the shore of Vietnam. In the middle of March of ‘67 while trying to assist the rescue of a downed pilot we received a direct hit from shore batteries which came seriously close to sending the entire ship and crew to Davy Jones Locker.
After that I applied to UDT (Navy Frogmen) and was sent back to San Diego and the infamous “Silver Strand” for training. Unfortunately, after five and a half weeks into the training I was in a bit of an accident that left me missing a couple of teeth and was unable to complete the course and transferred to a second ship where I finished my service in June of ’68.
In March of ’69 I was married and later that year we had our first of two children. I worked in Fresno at various places till July of ’73 and relocated to Winters Ca and went to work for PG&E and played a little music on the side, till I became a truck driver in ’78 for 16yrs. It was during this time we met Paul and Winkie Scannell, who, were really the people responsible for us getting involved with helping others. At that time, it was the Make-A-Wish Foundation then later the American Legion.
I was already a member of the VFW but when joined the Legion I became a member of their Honor Guard and really got evolved with volunteering it was at that time we noticed that people allover were starting to recognizing Veterans and thanking us for our service to our country.
Over the years we have donated to as many service organizations as possible and have volunteered whenever we could.
According to local veterans’ leader, J.R. Wilson, who assisted with the presentations, Mr. Yaker was unable to attend the dinner due to his wife being diagnosed with cancer and having her first chemo treatment that day. At Ray’s request, during the ceremony, J.R. spoke about the importance of cancer screening.
Posthumous Award Honoring Jimmy Bean
We are honored to present this Posthumous Award in memory of Jimmy, a devoted family man, community leader, and steadfast supporter of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. Jimmy’s love and commitment to service and generosity left an incredible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A proud veteran, Jimmy served in the National Guard in North Carolina, demonstrating his dedication to his country. As a longtime member of the Lions Club, he played a pivotal role in organizing countless fundraisers, ensuring their success and impact on the community. His passion for service extended through his years as a business owner and Antioch Chamber member, where he was always willing to assist others in times of need.
Beyond his professional and community contributions, Jimmy was a man of many passions. He found joy in golf, photography, fine wine, and the music of Elvis Presley. His warmth, kindness, and generosity touched many lives, making him not only a respected leader but also a cherished friend. Jimmy’s legacy of service and compassion will forever be remembered. Though he is no longer with us, his impact will continue to inspire generations to come.
In loving memory of Jimmy—thank you for a life well-lived and a community well-served.
Bean passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 85. Read his obituary, here:
