Oct 28, 2026
It’s 10 a.m. at the River City Food Bank in Arden-Arcade. A line of recipients winds down the side of the building and into the parking lot.
When the doors open 30 minutes later, volunteers, including Nicole Martin and her daughter Phoebe, greet the crowd with friendliness and efficiency.
Nicole and Phoebe pass out shopping carts. They then move inside to join others in handing out food staples, such as canned goods and fresh produce. The mother and daughter are on bread detail.
Sep 30, 2026
Sherry Martinez is an avid cyclist and community activist. She combines both interests as a member of the American River Bike Patrol.
The volunteer organization began providing trail safety on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail in 2020. The 23-mile paved pathway along the American River Parkway stretches from Discovery Park to Hazel Avenue.
Interest has grown fast among volunteers and regional communities. Roseville, El Dorado County and the state recently authorized the patrol to cover various paved, natural-surface and multiuse trails throughout the area.
Aug 28, 2026
The table at Coffee Works in East Sacramento is filled with papers, folders, index cards, markers, pens, a laptop and ruler. Each has a purpose.
It’s the mobile workplace of Ken Cross. There’s room for a cup of coffee and a muffin, just barely.
Nearly 12 years removed from retirement as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, Cross, 74, thrives on being busy. He combines work away from home with the joy of conversation.
The West Point graduate began his Army career more than 50 years ago. He’s transitioned many times, sales to service, volunteerism to senior education.
Jul 28, 2026
When Warren Truitt and his family arrived in Sacramento in 1981, his 15-year-old son jumped on his bike and discovered the American River Parkway.
“He came home and was so excited,” Truitt recalls. “He said, ‘Dad, you have to ride with me.’”
That launched Truitt’s passion for biking. He rode for 38 years, covering 222,000 miles. “Almost to the moon,” he says.
Riding the bike trail also sparked his interest in conservation efforts to protect the American River Parkway.
May 28, 2026
Jim Tracy believes volunteer work should be practical and purposeful. After a 27-year career with SMUD, including 10 years as chief financial officer, he looks for ways to contribute where his experience can make a measurable difference.
“As a public organization with no shareholders, SMUD’s focus was on low rates and quality service to the people of Sacramento County,” Tracy says. “I feel that focus provides me a good foundation for volunteering with community organizations.”
That foundation guides how he chooses to serve. Rather than spread himself across many groups, Tracy focuses on where he can be most useful.
