Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative

Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative Inspiring the Pleasanton community to model and live through the Community of Character traits

Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative Recognized by City of PleasantonCity proclamation honors the Collaborati...
08/29/2026

Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative Recognized by City of Pleasanton
City proclamation honors the Collaborative’s commitment to character, kindness, and community

The Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative has been formally recognized by the City of Pleasanton for its dedication and commitment to strengthening character and creating a positive, welcoming community.

In a proclamation dated July 21, 2026, the Pleasanton City Council commended the Collaborative for promoting a community culture built on goodwill and the values of responsibility, compassion, self-discipline, honesty, respect, and integrity.

The proclamation also recognizes the Collaborative’s work to inspire, motivate, and celebrate individuals, families, and organizations throughout Pleasanton. Through awards, scholarships, and community events, the organization helps foster a culture where character counts, kindness leads, and every member of the community can feel a sense of belonging and value.

The Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative is grateful to Mayor Jack Balch and the Pleasanton City Council for this meaningful recognition and looks forward to continuing its work in partnership with the community.

About the Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative
The Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative works to promote a culture of character throughout Pleasanton by encouraging core values, recognizing positive contributions, and bringing the community together through programs, scholarships, awards, and events.

Pleasanton Community of Character welcomes 3 new Board MembersChristina Gray, Carrie Cochran and Bill Rudolph add extens...
08/21/2026

Pleasanton Community of Character welcomes 3 new Board Members
Christina Gray, Carrie Cochran and Bill Rudolph add extensive experience in community service to the Community of Character Board.

Christina Gray brings a strong commitment to community service and values-based leadership to the board.A Pleasanton REALTOR®, business owner, award-winning photographer, author, and educator, Gray has spent much of her career building connections with local individuals and families. She is a 13-time “Best of Pleasanton” photography winner and author of Be Free Cooking: The Allergen Aware Cook.
Christina has volunteered with numerous local organizations, including the PUSD Reflections Program, Kids Against Hunger, Axis Community Health, CASA, and Make A Difference Today and Always, and previously served with the PUSD Safety Board and Museum on Main. In 2019, she received both the City of Pleasanton Mayor’s Award and the Community of Character Award.

Carrie Cochran brings decades of community involvement, volunteer service, and experience working with children and families.A former elementary school teacher, she has been active in Pleasanton schools and community organizations for many years, serving on the boards of the Amador Valley High School Marching Band and Pleasanton Middle School PTA, as well as a class leader with National Charity League.
Carrie’s service has also included volunteering with Shepherd’s Gate and serving as a longtime youth and faith formation instructor. She currently holds several leadership roles at Lynnewood United Methodist Church, including Membership Committee Chair, Social Justice Leadership Team member, and Church Council Board member.

Bill Rudolph brings a remarkable history of service, mentorship, and dedication to Pleasanton, his home for more than 51 years. A volunteer historian and reenactor with Museum on Main, he brings local history to life through educational presentations and portrayals of historic figures at community events. He has also volunteered with educational programs at Alviso Adobe and as a counselor at Cornerstone Fellowship.
For more than 20 years, Bill has also mentored hundreds of college students as the Perishable Foods Council Internship Director, helping prepare them for successful careers and continuing to support many long after graduation. In recognition of his decades of service, mentorship, historical preservation, and community involvement, Rudolph received the Community of Character’s 2026 Juanita Haugen Community of Character Award.

About the Community of Character
The Community of Character Collaborative is a non-profit organization of volunteers working together to create a Pleasanton community culture built on values, goodwill, and community-accepted traits. It was founded in 2002 as a coalition under the direction of Pleasanton Unified School District Trustee Juanita Haugen. This volunteer committee is jointly supported by the City of Pleasanton, Pleasanton Unified School District, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and various service and faith organizations. For more information about Community of Character, visit our website at www.communityofcharacter.org

Thanks to ALL! Community of Character Fundraiser makes $24,000 for Pleasanton Scholarships.The recent BBQ/Auction by t...
08/17/2026

Thanks to ALL!
Community of Character Fundraiser makes $24,000 for Pleasanton Scholarships.

The recent BBQ/Auction by the Pleasanton Community of Character was a great success.
Scholarships were first awarded in 2012, established to honor the legacy of Juanita Haugen, long time school board member, who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2007. From then until 2023, one or two scholarships were awarded to seniors at each PUSD high school, honoring students who demonstrated exceptional character and service to their family, school and community.

A few years ago, a small backyard barbeque was held to augment the funding of scholarships. The past three years, the event has grown, this year’s event earned $24,000, with nearly 130 attendees. Due to this success, the number of scholarships has also increased to 14 this current year, awarded to PUSD seniors.

Many thanks to the board of directors, who planned, obtained auction items, cooked and served the food. Thanks to Craig & Kim Eicher for hosting in their beautiful backyard. Board members donate most of the food and other expenses for the dinner, so, nearly all of the proceeds go toward scholarships.

Thanks to those who attended and for their generous donations, as well as community groups and companies who made donations of items and certificates for auction items. The local band, “Rusty Vinyl” donated their time playing at the event.

Event Photos: https://bit.ly/ccbq-photos
Support is also provided for other community events, such as the Make a Difference Volunteer Festival, the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Martin Luther Legacy Breakfast, Adopt a Senior at Christmas and other worthwhile events.

www.CommunityOfCharacter.org

Help provide Scholarships for our High School Seniors We have some great items on our Online Auction and Anyone can bid....
07/30/2026

Help provide Scholarships for our High School Seniors

We have some great items on our Online Auction and Anyone can bid.
The Pleasanton Community of Character provides scholarships for high school seniors, 14 this year, YOU can Help!

Items Available ONLINE:
• A Civil War "Harpers Magazine" from 1861
• Disney on Ice
• 49er Christian McCaffrey, Signed Jersey
• Tahoe/Donner Ski Lift Tickets
• Tickets for Niles Canyon Railway, Oakland Zoo, Gilroy Gardens, SF Symphony & Opera, ACT, USS Hornet, USS Midway, San Jose Earthquakes
• A Private Pleasanton Ghost Walk Experience
• Wente Wine Tasting Experience
• Professional Photography "Headshot"
Check it out at at: www.bit.ly/ccc-auction
(Choose the "ONLINE Auction" on the menu)
Bidding closes the night of our BBQ, August 8, 2026

==========================================
Pleasanton Community of Character BBQ Dinner & Auction, Fundraising for Pleasanton High School Scholarships – Saturday, August 8, 2026

Your attendance or donation helps continue this program.
$100 per person
Purchase Tickets or make a donation at www.CommunityOf Character.org

The Community of Character Scholarship honors the memory of Juanita Haugen, trustee and president of Pleasanton School Boards for 28 years. Juanita had a passion for children and was a leader in the district’s character education program and in establishing the “Community of Character Collaborative”. Juanita passed away in 2007.

Community of Character Luncheon honors 14 Pleasanton High School Seniors and Community Service Volunteers.Awards honor t...
05/19/2026

Community of Character Luncheon honors 14 Pleasanton High School Seniors and Community Service Volunteers.

Awards honor the life and legacy of Juanita Haugen, long-time School board member in Pleasanton.

Thanks to our 14 wonderful Scholarship Students, who were selected based on character and service to their home, school and community, they are amazing examples. Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tHCLrKJDbc

Our Juanita Haugen Community Service Award recipients were: Greg Thome, JoAnn Weser, Bill Rudolph and the Alan Hu Foundation. Read about their service on the website: www.CommunityOfCharacter.org

Photos of the Luncheon are available at: https://bellalunastudiosphotography.pixieset.com/communityofcharacter2026/

And remember the values all Pleasanton is encouraged to observe: Responsibility, Compassion, Self-Discipline, Honesty, Respect, Integrity.

PLEASANTON COMMUNITY OF CHARACTER JUANITA HAUGEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS –APRIL 7, 2026 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS The Pleasant...
03/19/2026

PLEASANTON COMMUNITY OF CHARACTER
JUANITA HAUGEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS –
APRIL 7, 2026 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative is seeking nominations for the 2026 - 17th Annual Juanita Haugen Community of Character Awards. These awards were established in 2008 to recognize Pleasanton citizens who model high ethical and moral standards of behavior and are dedicated volunteers contributing their time to our community.
Candidates for this award should exhibit traits chosen by the Citizens of Pleasanton and Advocated by the Collaborative: Compassion, Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Self-Discipline, and Responsibility.

This award is named in honor of a longtime community volunteer and Pleasanton Unified School District Board Member, Juanita Haugen. Haugen, a co-founder of the Pleasanton Community of Character program, believed that part of Pleasanton’s success is due to its compassionate citizens, folks who exhibit good character traits and those people who volunteer throughout our community.

To nominate an individual or a non-profit group demonstrating a commitment to our Community of Character traits through their volunteer work within our community, a nomination form is available at our website on the AWARDS tab, www.communityofcharacter.org.

Nominees must be Pleasanton residents or non-residents or non-profit groups conducting their volunteer work within Pleasanton.

Award recipients and Scholarship Award Recipients will be honored at the May 13, 2026 Community of Character Collaborative Luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building.

Tickets are $45 per person and available at www.CommunityOfCharacter.org

The Community of Character Collaborative Announces Application Deadline for Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship The Com...
01/20/2026

The Community of Character Collaborative Announces Application Deadline for Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship

The Community of Character Collaborative invites all High School seniors attending Pleasanton Unified School District schools to apply for the annual Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship.

Long time school board member, trustee and president of the Pleasanton Unified School District, Juanita Haugen inspired the Pleasanton Community of Character initiative.

In her honor, annual $1,000 scholarships will recognize students who have a strong record of civic engagement and have demonstrated exceptional character by role modeling the traits of Compassion, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Self-Discipline.

An award will be presented to at least one student in each of Pleasanton’s three high schools, last year nine scholarships were awarded due to successful fundraising. Applications are being taken for Foothill and Amador Valley and Village High School students.

Applications and guidelines are available online at www.CommunityofCharacter.org (Click on “Scholarships” and download the Application”.

The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 9, 2026. Selections will be announced approximately a month after the deadline.

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Pleasanton, CA

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