Modesto council proclaims April for donors, fair housing, volunteers and Earth Day; honors police chaplain Debbie Zier

The Modesto City Council on April 8 issued proclamations recognizing Donate Life Month, Fair Housing Month, National Volunteer Month and Earth Day and accepted a presentation from State Senator Marie Alvarado Gill honoring Debbie Zier as the 2025 Modesto Woman of the Year.

The council proclaimed April as Donate Life Month and heard personal accounts about organ and tissue donation from local ambassadors. Alyssa Garcia, identified as a community engagement specialist, told the council that in 2024 Modesto had 43 organ donors whose donations enabled 33 people to receive organ transplants and 92 tissue donors who helped restore sight and mobility for other residents. Tiffany Parks, who identified herself as the mother of Tyler Parks, said her son’s donation “saved 5 lives” after he was declared legally deceased in July 2021 and described ongoing contact with some recipients. A parent and recipient family also described a living-donor kidney match for their child and the community support that led to that outcome.

The council also read a proclamation commemorating the 57th…