Oceanside CA—Ms. Cynthia Rice was named the 2019 recipient of the City of Oceanside Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award at the annual commemoration celebration hosted by the North San Diego County Branch of the NAACP and the City of Oceanside.
Ms. Rice is an individual who mirrors Dr. King’s spirit of service, leadership, and a carrier of light that exposes the greatness in others and the things that need change. Her generous nature and solid character allow her to compassionately serve with kindness, concern, courage and integrity. She is an exceptional leader and strong civic-minded ambassador for our community.
Many know Cynthia Rice as a champion for the Civil Rights Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act, DACA, Promise, children’s health insurance and VAWA – all have a running thread. Her passion is to teach students how their actions impact others in the community and to train student leaders to be civic-minded. Ms. Rice keeps current with Oceanside business and the organizations and resources that exist within the City, supports hunger and homeless organizations such as local food banks, MiraCosta Food Pantry, Women’s Resource Center and the Boys and Girls Club, and she is a member of the North San Diego County NAACP, North County African American Women’s Association and represents North County on the Association of Funding Professionals, San Diego Chapter, Board of Directors.
The Community Service award is an annual award given to a resident of the City of Oceanside or MCB Camp Pendleton who exemplifies the ideals and teachings of Dr. King and who has served the community in volunteer activities over a long period of time.