“Building Berkeley Futures, Together”

After a five-year hiatus, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund’s Spring Luncheon returned on May 8, 2026, bringing together more than 400 community members in support of Berkeley public schools.

Thanks to your generosity and advocacy, we surpassed our fundraising goals — raising more than $53,000 during the event and over $260,000 overall in support of equitable public education in Berkeley.

To everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, performed, donated, and helped bring this event to life: thank you!

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Spring Luncheon Honorees Through the Years

Since 1988, the Spring Luncheon has honored the people and partners helping strengthen Berkeley public schools.

2020s Honorees

2026: BUSD Elementary Literacy Coaches: Angélica Pérez, Beth Trevor, Dvora Pitheau, Gillian Bowley, Jennifer Pfotenhauer, Kim Shevelson, Liliana Aguas, Marie-Eve Thomaes, Matilde Merello, Nicole Mitchell, Olivia Sanders, Renee Harris, Sacha Moustakas, Simone Miller, Wendy Whiting, Erica Carter; Classroom Volunteers: Philip Morton, Ellen Singer-Vine, Barbara Judd, Bob Clear; Wareham Development

2021: Lynna Tsou; Sally McLaughlin; Gaddy Barbero-Reyes; Daniel Johnston; Ray Hudson & Nancy Gullum

2020: Lily Howell; Don Arreola; Jonah Cohn; Sylvia Riddick; Tito Aquino; Jackie Ray Jr.; Ade Owudunni; Camille Clausen; Adam Weis; Irene Leja; Mariah Castle

2010s Honorees

2019: Michael McLaughlin; Wyn Skeels

2018: Mikko Jokela; Rosina Keren

2017: Mary Wildermuth; Matt Hinckley

2016: BUSD Music Education

2015: John Fike; Naomi Washington-Diouf; Matt Tsang

2014: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Community Resources for Science; Hazel Fortich; Glenn Wolkenfeld

2013: Janet Huseby; Belinda McDaniel; Teri Goodman; Tamara Friedman

2012: Akemi Hamai; Mary Patterson; George Rose

2011: Rick Kleine; Kim Laurance; Hilary Mitchell; WriterCoach Connection

2010: Jabari Anderson; Tom Prince; Richard Silberg; CalCorps Public Service Center - UC Berkeley

2000s Honorees

2009: Susannah Bell; Cheryl Chinn; Karen Meryash; The Cheeseboard Collective

2008: Jamie Carlson; Carole Ono; BHS Health Center; Donna Chan Chu; Greg Williams

2007: Nelly Caloca; Sandra Farmer; Thelette A. Bennett; Chez Panisse Foundation; Center for Ecoliteracy

2006: Gene Nakamura; Barbara Bowman

2005: Patricia Culpepper; Jacob Disston; Ada Wada; Irma Parker; Red Oak Opportunity Foundation

2004: David Stevens; Employees of Bayer Healthcare; Berkeley/Albany YMCA

2003: Library Staff of BUSD; Mary Friedman; Berkeley Financial Institutions

2002: Carol Olson; Ingrid & Reuben Hills, The Hills Project; Denny Abrams & Rick Millikan - Fourth Street Shops

2001: Jefferson Chinese

2000: Neil Smith; Dr. Pedro Noguera; Ackerman's Volvo Service; Elmwood Stationers

1988–1999 Honorees

1999: Louise Rosenkrantz; Rotary Club of Berkeley

1998: Jan Duckart; Corrine Howard; Joyce Williams; Semifreddi's

1997: Flora Russ; Susan Lewis; Cody's Books

1996: Josie Gerst; Alice Waters; Sybase, Inc.

1995: Ellen Murphy; Alba & Bernard Witkin; Alta Bates/Healthnet

1994: Alice Porter; Miles, Inc. now Bayer Healthcare

1993: Marian Altman

1992: Pat & Richard Endsley

1991: Arden Clute; Catherine Lynch

1990: Harry Choulet; Henry Nelson; Carol Olson

1989: Robert Chacona; Phil Hardymon

1988: Louis Zlokovich; Bicultural Program; Meyer Sound

Moments From the 2026 Spring Luncheon

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We’re grateful to the businesses, organizations, and community supporters helping make the Spring Luncheon possible and uplifting Berkeley public schools.