Imperial Valley Food Bank

MLK luncheon recognizes Local Leaders with ‘Stone of Hope’ Awards

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon and “Stone of Hope” awards are Imperial County’s preeminent multicultural award event. “Stone of Hope” comes from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech: “Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

The Imperial Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon and Stone of Hope Award Ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Prestige Event Center, 1111 Yourman Road, Heber. The community is invited.

For ticket information, contact (760) 562-4666, alawson2520@gmail.com, or outreach@ivsjc.org.

Dr. King championed a movement that draws fully from the deep well of America’s potential for freedom, opportunity and justice. His vision of America is captured in his message of hope and possibility for a future anchored in dignity, sensitivity and mutual respect, a message that challenges each of us to recognize that America’s true strength lies in its diversity of talents.

“It is with great honor that we announce the 2026 ‘Stone of Hope’ awardees,” said Marlene Thomas, Imperial Valley MLK Committee member. “The awardees represent the best of our community. They have made a difference in the lives of countless others, upholding the principles of Dr. King.”

The 2025 Imperial Valley recipients are:

Sara Griffen
A vision without a task is a dream.
A task without a vision is drudgery.
A vision and a task are the hope of the world!
Sara and her family came to the Imperial Valley in 2009 when her late husband, the Rev. Dr. Ron Griffen, was appointed senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of El Centro. Sara is executive director of the Imperial Valley Food Bank. Her work has raised awareness and provided inroads to address the chronic hunger problem in Imperial County. Making sure there is food for people every month in a Valley with double-digit unemployment, limited resources and local food deserts is challenging, but necessary and rewarding.

Chris Naylor
Giving isn’t about what you lose but what you help others gain.
Chris Naylor was born and raised in El Centro and Imperial. He is married to his wife, Amanda. They have eight children. Chris owns Top Notch Barbershop in El Centro.

Rosalind Summers
“I give honor and glory to the Lord for guiding me in being a blessing for others.”
Rosalind Summers was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was part of civil rights history. At the age of six, she was chosen alongside Ruby Bridges to integrate an all-white elementary school. (Rosalind is featured in the Disney film “Ruby Bridges.”) Her parents ultimately chose a different path to protect their child, but this early experience shaped Rosalind’s lifelong commitment to community service and social justice.

Dolores Provencio
Si Se Puede
Dolores Provencio was elected county recorder in 1978 and served as county recorder, county clerk and registrar of voters for Imperial County until 2011. Dolores was the first Latina elected county registrar of voters.

Darlene Crosby
Do all you can do! Don’t waste your mind.
Darlene L. Crosby was born in Augsburg, West Germany. Her father was in the military. Her family moved to El Centro when Darlene was 2½. Darlene graduated from Central Union High School and has always been a helper.

James Horn Jr.
Be a friend to as many people as you can in life!
Jim attended Imperial Valley College. He got involved in student governance, the school paper, student politics and had fun. Jim was taught by his mother, Virginia Horn, to always be fair and giving to all people.

Manuel Sanchez
Don’t be afraid. Face your challenges and overcome them.
Manuel T. Sanchez graduated from Calexico High School and volunteered for the draft in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He worked at the Naval Air Facility in Seeley, as a fisherman for the Bering Seafood Company, for the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), the Calexico Community Action Committee (CCAC), Migrant Education and the EDD. Manuel said he came full circle when he was employed to work with veterans, including his last job with the Veterans Service Council helping vets with PTSD.

Chacha Cardenas
Through her family, career, education, faith and volunteer service. ChaCha has consistently placed others first.
Chacha is deeply committed to community service. She is actively involved in the senior centers in El Centro and Heber and volunteers with MANA de Imperial Valley through the Hermanitas Leadership Program.

Norma Aguilar
Norma Aguilar’s life and career are a testament to her unwavering dedication to her community.
Norma Aguilar, a native of Calexico, has been a steadfast advocate for literacy, underserved individuals with language barriers, single-parent Latinas, and Valley youth pursuing higher education.

John (Johnny) Hernandez
Cada cabeza es un mundo.
Don’t sweat the small stuff, and everything is the small stuff.
Johnny’s interest in advocacy began when he saw how his father was treated as a farm worker. As he grew older, he became involved in local politics. He has served on the Central Union High School District Board, the IID Energy Committee, and the Colorado River Boundary Commission, and advocates for senior citizens in Brawley and throughout the Imperial Valley, including serving on the advisory board for the Area Agency on Aging.

Cindy Alba
“Leadership is not defined by titles, but by lives changed.”
Cindy Alba has devoted more than 22 years of service to Calexico Neighborhood House, where she has served as executive director since 2018. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to justice, compassion and community empowerment, values that closely align with the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Source: Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee Press Release