The 7th Annual Fourth District Kindness Awards were held at Fullerton Free Church on November 13, with Chair Doug Chaffee, Orange County Fourth District Supervisor, announcing the honorees. The event was emceed by Dr. Jose Moreno, former Anaheim City Council Member.

The awards were established to honor individuals in each city of the Fourth District who have made significant contributions through acts of kindness, inspired by former Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait’s initiative to foster kindness.

The ceremony took place on World Kindness Day, emphasizing the importance of helping others without expecting anything in return. “Recognizing these individuals sets an example of how kindness can transform our communities,” said Chair Chaffee, highlighting the impact of such acts.

Christine Givens, recognized for her service, began her nursing career in the 1980s but faced significant challenges after a car accident left her paralyzed two decades ago. After living in assisted housing, she became a lead resident volunteer at Fullerton City Lights, assisting those struggling with homelessness and disabilities. Despite her own health battles, including a stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2022, Christine has remained dedicated to volunteering and community outreach.

Additionally, Jay Williams, Founder and President of OC United, received the Honorary Kindness Award. Williams has dedicated 30 years to pastoral work and currently chairs the Fullerton Collaborative while serving on the board of Love Our Cities. He founded OC United, which has been instrumental in spreading volunteer initiatives nationwide. The award recipients were nominated by community members and evaluated by a panel of judges, including former Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and other local leaders.