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Sallie T. Carey was inducted into the Community Service category in 2014.

My Story

Sallie T. Carey has given more than 40 years of her life to support the poor and less fortunate in West Oakland. She and her husband, Newton Carey Jr., started 45 years ago by hosting free community block parties to feed families in some of Oakland's poorest neighborhoods. The parties - which also included clothing giveaways and free health screenings - served as a model for similar events that have sprouted in 3 different states. Sallie, known as Mama Sallie to many of her admirers, also founded the D & N Food Pantry and the D & N Clothing Room to provide nutritious food, as well as clothing and shoes, to needy residents of West Oakland. And when the weather turns cold each year, it is Sallie who heads the annual Coat and Toy Drive that seeks to ensure that each child in West Oakland has a warm coat and toys for the holidays.