Brian Copeland comedy fundraiser helps 150 San Leandro students

Brian Copeland Presents Comedy in the Plaza drew more than 500 people to the San Leandro Tech Campus on Saturday and raised support for backpacks and school shoes for 150 local children. The fifth annual event mixed comedy and community giving, with Copeland returning to the stage weeks after emergency open-heart surgery.

Why it matters: - The free event turned a summer comedy show into a back-to-school boost for San Leandro families. - Support from the crowd will help 150 children start school with new backpacks and school shoes. - The turnout showed continued demand for community events that pair entertainment with direct aid.

What happened: - More than 500 people attended the fifth annual Brian Copeland Presents Comedy in the Plaza on Saturday evening at the San Leandro Tech Campus. - The event was presented with the Davis Street Family Resource Center. - The show featured Laurie Kilmartin, Tom Rhodes, Monique Marvez, Chris Riggins and Don Reed. - Brian Copeland hosted and emceed the two-hour event in front of the Truth is Beauty sculpture. - Copeland made his first public appearance since emergency open-heart surgery just weeks earlier.

The details: - The audience gathered for a free performance that also supported a back-to-school drive. - The event generated enough support to provide brand-new backpacks and school shoes for 150 San Leandro children. - Copeland said he returned because the event and the community mattered to him. - Copeland said the evening was meant to help neighbors gather, families spend time together and kids feel supported. - The 2026 event was dedicated to former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy, whose support helped establish the tradition. - Sponsors included Fremont Bank, Sons of Liberty Alehouse, Slice House by Tony Gemignani, Westlake Realty Group and The Wild Olive Napa Valley. - Copeland thanked Davis Street Family Resource Center, the performers, volunteers and sponsors for making the event possible.

Between the lines: - The event has become a signature San Leandro summer gathering in its fifth year. - Copeland's return after heart surgery gave the evening a personal and emotional edge. - The mix of recognizable comedians and a local charity drive helped widen the event's appeal beyond entertainment.

What's next: - Organizers are still asking for donations and Amazon Wishlist purchases to support the back-to-school drive. - Additional contributions will help provide more school supplies for local students preparing for the new school year. - Brian Copeland Presents Comedy in the Plaza is positioned to remain a recurring community event in San Leandro.