About Champions for Children
4Cs Annual Recognition & Benefit Luncheon, Champions for Children
Quality early education is not only important to the development of the children we serve, but also allows parents and caretakers to continue to work or attain vocational education. With child care subsidies, families are able to get back on their feet and save towards a future life and home in Sonoma County.
The purpose of Champions for Children is to celebrate and recognize the award recipients, who tell their stories through a video presentation. Champions are selected from public nominations by an independent Selection Committee, made up of local business and community leaders.
The Champions for Children award recipients will express the values and principles of the 5 protective factors for families: Parental Resilience, Positive Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, and Social and Emotional Competence of Children.
Our hope is that attendees will leave the Champions for Children Recognition luncheon feeling inspired to act on the mission of 4Cs: to provide access to quality child care and early education in Sonoma County through advocacy, direct service, and empowerment.
Award Categories & Details
Champions are selected from public nominations by an independent Selection Committee, made up of local business and community leaders. Each Champion for Children Recipient will each receive a $1,000 award to celebrate and recognize their work within our community.
The Champions for Children award recipients will express the values and principles of the 5 protective factors for families: Parental Resilience, Positive Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, and Social and Emotional Competence of Children.
Inspired Start- 0-5 Early Care and Education
Increasing success through quality early care and education for children 0-5.
Inspiring Education-K-12 Education
Developing educated children from Kindergarten through High School.
Strong Families-Public Service / Agency / Individuals
Engaging the whole family to support children.
Healthy Communities-Health, Medical, and Wellness
Impacting the health, nutrition, and wellness of children and their families.
Safe Surroundings-Business / Foundation
Providing investments and contributions to the children of our community.
Positive Social Connections-Outstanding Peer Leadership/Innovative Community Programs
Engaging peers in a positive way and leading by example. Innovative community programs
Champions for Children 2026
The Champions for Children Recognition & Benefit Luncheon is a fundraiser for 4Cs, with proceeds benefiting thousands of low-income families in Sonoma County in need of quality child care and preschool programs.
2026 Champion for Children Winners!
Champion for Children Recipients will each receive a $1,000 award to celebrate and recognize your work within our community!
Sonia Mendoza | La Luz
Inspired Start- 0-5 Early Care and Education
Increasing success through quality early care and education for children 0-5.
Omar Medina | Elsie Allen High School Foundation
Inspiring Education-K-12 Education
Developing educated children from Kindergarten through High School.
Benigno A. Merlin Solorio | Center for Well Being
Strong Families-Public Service / Agency / Individuals
Engaging the whole family to support children.
Marcos Flores | The Gentlemen’s Barbershop
Healthy Communities-Health, Medical, and Wellness
Impacting the health, nutrition, and wellness of children and their families.
TLC Behavioral Health Services Team | TLC Child & Family Services
Safe Surroundings-Business / Foundation
Providing investments and contributions to the children of our community.
Danica Schwan | Free to Be
Positive Social Connections-Outstanding Peer Leadership/Innovative Community Programs
Engaging peers in a positive way and leading by example. Innovative community programs.
About Champions for Children
Quality early education is not only important to the development of the children we serve, but also allows parents and caretakers to continue to work or attain vocational education. With child care subsidies, families are able to get back on their feet and save towards a future life and home in Sonoma County.
The purpose of Champions for Children is to celebrate and recognize the award recipients, who tell their stories through a video presentation. Champions are selected from public nominations by an independent Selection Committee, made up of local business and community leaders.
The Champions for Children award recipients will express the values and principles of the 5 protective factors for families: Parental Resilience, Positive Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, and Social and Emotional Competence of Children.
Our hope is that attendees will leave the Champions for Children Recognition luncheon feeling inspired to act on the mission of 4Cs: to provide access to quality child care and early education in Sonoma County through advocacy, direct service, and empowerment.
Tickets & Sponsorships
Date
November 6, 2026
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location
The Backdrop
1455 Corporate Center Pkwy
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Celebrate Our Past Champions:
Inspired Start: 0-5 Early Care and Education Award
2025: Lupita Dominguez, River to Coast Children’s Services
2024: Nancy Libby, Brush Creek Nursery School
2024: Tracy Johnson, West Ed
2023: Emily Hope Parker, Multi-Agency
2022: Jynx Lopez
2021: Kathy Kelley, Early Learning Institute
2019: Pat Boblitt, Early Learning Institute
2018: Nancy Alcott
2017: Julie MacDonald
2016: Lia Thompson-Clark
2015: Lisa DeCarbo, Kari Poulsen
2014: Michele Rogers
2013: Joel Gordon
2012: Olga King
2011: Mary Jill Hachmyer
Inspiring Education: K-12 Education Award
2025: Kathleen Matthews, TLC Child & Family Services
2024: Rose Hammock, Redbud Resource Group
2023: Megan McClelland, Petaluma High School
2022: Maria Orozco
2021: Larkin O’Leary, Common Ground Society
2019: Mariana Garcia Martinez, The College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP)
2018: Letitia Hanke
2017: LeeAnne Lichnovsky
2016: Nancy Ricciardi
2015: Bob Florez
2014: Fred Vedder
2013: Carol Waxman
2012: Barbara Fisher
2011: Lisa DeCarbo
Strong Families: Public Service/Agency/Individuals Award
2025: Amber Heidtke, The Zones
2024: Robin Bowen, Child Parent Institute
2023: Caroline Gonzalez, Corazón Healdsburg
2022: Amanda Kitchens, Our Village Closet
2021: Yensi Jacobo, Petaluma People Services Center
2019: Ariel Kelley, Corazón Healdsburg Early Childhood Initiative
2018: Grace Harris
2017: Chops Teen Club
2016: Cheryl Parkinson
2015: Fred Vedder
2014: Mary Ann Fitzmaurice
2013: Bob Florez
2012: Greg Begin
2011: Carol Simmons
Healthy Communities: Health, Medical, and Wellness Award
2025: Dr. Martha Cueto-Salas, MD, FAAP, MPH, Petaluma Health Center
2024: Alan Petty, Lobo Rugby
2023: Rebekah Schmitt, Sage Casey Foundation
2022: Urmila Shende
2021: Dr. Brian Prystowsky, Sutter Health
2019: Dr. Deirdre Bernard-Pearl, Santa Rosa Health Pediatric Campus
2018: St. Joseph Health
2017: Viveka Rydell-Anderson
2016: Ramona Faith
2015: Dr. Heather Anderson
2014: Meredith Kieschnick
2013: Carol Caldwell-Weart
2012: Jennie Tasheff
2011: Pedro Toledo
Safe Surroundings: Business/Foundation Award
2025: Rosendo, Sanchez, Sanchez Boxing MMA
2024: La Luz Center
2023: Welfare League
2022: Jesus Guzmán
2021: Susy Marrón, Child Care Planning Council
2019: Don Mills, Sound Ideas
2018: Kate Jonasse
2017: Crozat Family Foundation
2016: Lisa Wittke-Schaffner
2015: Keysight Technologies
2014: Bob Reynolds
2013: Evelyn Cheatham
2012: Gioia Hershey
2011: Mike Hauser Algebra Academy (Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce)
Positive Social Connections: Peer Leadership/Young Professional Award
2025: Andres Correa, On the Margins
2024: Erica Vogel, Community Matters
2023: Lyndsey Rose Burcina, Commission on Human Rights
2022: Jennifer Ingels
2021: Mary Schirle, Lattice Education
2019: Clint St. Martin, Sonoma County Devil Pups
2018: Wayne Ingraham
2017: Allyson Ahlstrom
2016: Itzel Martinez
2015: Fatima Aguilar
2014: Ian Rich
Innovation & Action Award
2025: Ananda Sweet, Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
School-Age Programs Award
2015: Mentor Me
2014: Missy Danneberg
2013: Collette Michaud
2012: Deb Holmes
2011: Vince Harper
Creative Arts Award
2015: The Imaginists
2014: Transcendence Theatre Company
2013: Tom Gaffey
2012: ArtQuest
2011: Arts Council of Sonoma County
Media Award
2013: David Cox
2012: Matthew Hall
2011: Vesta Copestakes
Youth Leadership Award
2013: Maria Lopez
2012: Gricelda Corre
2011: Ana Lopez
Service Groups Award
2013: Junior League of Napa-Sonoma
2012: Active 20-30 Club of the Redwood Empire #1029
2011: Active 20-30 Club of Santa Rosa #50
Innovation and Action Award
2023: Donny Robinson, North Bay BMX
Sonoma Strong Award
2018: Debra Sanders
2017: Heather Irwin
Community Engagement Award
2016: Glen Weaver
Lifetime Impact Award
2021: Stephen Jackson
Special Award
2015: Tim “Santa Tim” Oxford
Innovation Award
2014: Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Honorable Mention
2014: Mary Ann Waterhouse
About Us
4Cs provides access to quality child care and early education in Sonoma County through advocacy, direct service and empowerment.
