Wreaths Across Pleasanton prep

The effort is underway for Wreaths Across Pleasanton, which aims later this month to place holiday wreaths at the burial place of every military veteran interred at Pioneer Cemetery on Sunol Boulevard -- in line with the program happening at more than 1,000 locations nationwide.

Local organizers are recruiting volunteers to help assemble the estimated 600 wreaths and boughs, using tree cutting donated by area Christmas tree lots, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday (Dec. 11) in Centennial Park at the Pleasanton Senior Center. Volunteers can help for just an hour or two, or stay the whole time until the project is done.

Wreath placement day is set for Dec. 17 starting at 10 a.m., with the ceremony beginning at noon; volunteers are also needed for that day.

To learn more, visit www.wreathsacrosspleasanton.org.

New police dispatcher

The Pleasanton Police Department recently welcomed Cindy Tran as its newest police dispatcher.

"I've seen how individuals in law enforcement can have a positive influence on others," Tran said, "and I want to help give back to the community."

An alum of Yerba Buena High School in San Jose and California State University Stanislaus, Tran had worked for the San Leandro Police Department since 2019. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and in her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants with her family.

$1 million mark for foundation

The Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation, based in the Tri-Valley, recently celebrated achieving the milestone of distributing more than $1 million in grants to cancer patients in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The nonprofit founded in 2008 provides funds to help cancer patients access complementary therapies to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as acupuncture, acupressure, guided/visual imagery, deep breathing meditation and therapeutic massage.

The $1 million milestone represents 2,000 grants, or approximately 14,000 sessions of healing therapies for the foundation's beneficiaries.

The grants are available to anyone residing in Alameda or Contra Costa counties who has undergone chemotherapy or radiation for cancer within the past 18 months, regardless of age, gender, household income, type of cancer or stage of cancer. To learn more, visit www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org.