2018 WALMART COMMUNITY PLAYMAKERS PROGRAM WINNERS:
Yuri Williams
Yuri Williams – helps the homeless and young children battling cancer.
For the past 5 years, he has been providing services to those who are battling cancer and other illnesses, predominately the homeless and young children.
Ashley Rodriguez
Ashley Rodriguez – runs a shelter for pregnant women and children.
Ashley has been running New Life Beginnings, a shelter for pregnant women and children, for years now. Her mom founded the organization over 30 years ago, but Ashley is making sure it continues for years to come, without government funding.
Keith Johnson – provides sports-based youth development and free meals to needy kids.
Gidion Phillips
Gidion Phillips – aids displaced and orphaned children in Haiti
She spent the first few years volunteering with every group, in every part of Haiti, in every type of service, to understand what creates meaningful, sustainable change,
Maria Crawford
Maria Crawford – advocates for children with autism
Since that day, Maria has worked tirelessly to advocate for her son, her family and for all children with different abilities. In 2010, she created Zane’s Toy Chest which collected toy donations to be used by behavioral therapists with their clients at home. She served as President of LA FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) and continues to serve on the board.
Dion Rambo
Dion Rambo – helps disadvantaged foster children and minority-owned businesses.
Dion gives back to the community by purchasing prom gowns for disadvantaged foster girls and sponsored fashion shows for underprivileged girls. Dion has a passion for helping minority businesses have a fair chance at succeeding so he started “Building LA Today” and his main objective moving forward is to get more small businesses within the
BuildingLAToday.com system .
Gary Ferrer
Gary Ferrer – teaches low income children the art of dance.
Mr. Ferrer to use his talents to help low-income children. Gary launched a folkloric dance group that teaches children the art of dance and the importance of community service at no cost. The dance group has performed at regional events, such as the Festival of Lights, NASCAR, the Orange County Fair and many more.
Rupa Kotecha
Rupa Kotecha – saved the life of a heart attack victim
Kotecha helped save a man who was having a cardiac arrest while driving. He is now 51, and living a very healthy life thanks to Rupa and the other citizens heroic actions.
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson – aided plane crash victims
Anderson and several bystanders helped and should be thanked. Jason is honored to accept the Walmart Community Playmakers award on behalf of all who were present.
Mallyda Yazmin Berganza
Mallyda Yazmin Berganza – raised funds for a needy family
Maria is a single mother of four children so on September 30, 2018 Yazmin Berganza hosted a yard sale at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church to raise funds, which resulted in over $4,500, a free month’s rent and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Last year the Forum awarded its first Walmart Community Playmakers Program winner, 87-year old Doris Presley, who has been volunteering her services for various feeding and relief organizations throughout the Los Angeles area for over 30 years.