By Kathy Chouteau
Community advocate Don Lau, known for his longtime support of children and families through the E.M. Downer YMCA in Richmond, was honored with a Legacy Award during the May 2nd CoCoKids’ 50th Anniversary Gala, an evening that celebrated both individual contributions and the organization’s decades-long impact on Contra Costa County.
The Gala, held during an evening at the Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek, recognized Lau alongside fellow honorees Kate Ertz-Berger and Ken Jaffe, highlighting their lasting contributions to the community and commitment to children and early education.
While the evening showcased a range of tributes and fundraising activities, the Legacy Award presentation placed a spotlight on Lau’s dedication to improving opportunities for children and families, a mission closely aligned with the work of CoCoKids.
During his 50-year career, Lau served as an executive leader with the YMCA of the East Bay, including at the EM Downer Family YMCA in Richmond, where he was a visible advocate for youth development and family wellness. His work also saw him serve as a school board trustee with the then Richmond Unified School District (now WCCUSD) and the Contra Costa Child Care Council (now CoCoKids), earlier in his career. He continues to be active in community service as a member of the Richmond Rotary Club, which, among its many efforts, helps support the Peres Dental Clinic at Peres Elementary.
Lau, who was joined at the event by his son, Jordan, said the honor “gave me the opportunity to let the current people who are involved with CoCoKids understand that their work today was built on a whole bunch of children’s advocates back in the late ’70s [and] early ’80s.” He noted a lot of children’s programs were started then.
He cited former U.S. Rep. George Miller as one such advocate who helped put the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program together and ran a select committee on Children, Youth and Families for years. Lau also mentioned Contra Costa County Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak and state Assemblymember Bob Campbell as also being local children’s advocates from that time.
The 50th anniversary gala brought together community leaders, childcare advocates, and public and private partners for an evening designed to celebrate shared commitment to children, families and early childhood education. The evening also featured a live auction, a short “fund-a-need” video and paddle raise, before concluding with music and dancing led by the live band The Groove Doctors.
Founded in 1976, CoCoKids provides a wide range of services, including childcare referrals, parent education and support, financial assistance, health and nutrition programs, and professional development for early educators. The organization’s leaders emphasized the continued need for community champions like Lau to support children, parents and educators across the county.