The City of Hayward celebrates thirty-one years of honoring its volunteers. Every Hayward agency has been asked to select a volunteer - a Shining Star - who has given outstanding service to the agency and to the Hayward community. Below are the faces and stories of these 2008 Shining Stars of Hayward. Their contributions and volunteerism make the City of Hayward shine with pride and gratification. We honor each and every person who has strengthened community life in Hayward and has inspired others to give of themselves. They form an impressive body of volunteers, and remind us that each of us has something to give to our communities.

Bob Swanson
Spectrum Community Services

A native of Illinois, Bob served in Vietnam and was discharged in 1967 from Alameda - entering Chabot College, then Sonoma State, graduating in psychology. "For many years Bob has been a terrific tenant’s rights advocate, and a human and civil rights advocate; he's worked extensively with the local East Indian community." Bob served on the County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee for 21 years, and has added his own wry voice and tremendous organizing ability to many other local community Boards. He is currently VP of Spectrum. Bob works for Supervisor Nate Miley as constituent liaison and community organizer. He thanks his wife Donna for her unwavering support.