Tri-Valley Donation Drive Will Help Coast Guard Families

PLEASANTON, CA — A Pleasanton resident is asking for the public’s help with donations for Bay Area Coast Guard families who are struggling to make ends meet during the partial government shutdown.

The 42,000 active duty members of the Coast Guard continue rescuing stranded boaters, patrolling our ocean borders and other duties. Those employees are not getting paid. There are 168 Alameda-based families of active-duty and civilian Coast Guard employees. More than 600 people belong to those families, according to the East Bay Coast Guard Spouses' Club.

Those interested in helping may bring donations to the Valley Community Church located at 4455 Del Valle Pkwy. in Pleasanton on Saturday, Jan. 19 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Pleasanton resident Maria Munayer said baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, laundry detergent, dog/cat food, feminine hygiene products, and Safeway gift cards are the only donations urgently needed at this time. Munayer will drop the donations to those in need.

Photo of Coast Guard Cutter Munro after it returned to home port in Alameda on Christmas Eve via US Coast Guard, Photos by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Masaschi

Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News Service contributed to this report.