The recipient of the Lee Bell Award, also known affectionately as the Silver Bell Award, is selected by secret ballot of ACLC’s Board of Directors following a round of open nominations by members. The Award is made during each year’s Mr. & Ms. Alameda County Leather Contest.

Not even our Board of Directors knows the winner’s name until the award is unwrapped.

The award was created in memory of Lee Bell, a much-loved local man who worked tirelessly in all aspects of the community. Lee supported every club, organization, and even lending a hand, shoulder, or ear as needed.

Lee and his partner, Shilo Herrling, seemed to be everywhere at once.

Who could ever have believed that this magnificent man would leave us due to heart failure? He seemed to have so much heart to share with anyone who needed it.

At each year’s Contest, we honor someone who has chosen to live his or her life in the spirit of generosity and service.

Past Recipients

Year
Recipient
1997
Shilo Herrling
1998
Den Calkins
1999
David Facio (“Tootsie”)
2000
Tiffany Woods
2001
Elena Hall
2002
David Barker
2003
Karl Schuck
2004
Andrew Johnson (“Bootdog”)
2005
Joan Norry
2006
Dan Herrera
2007
Don Woods
2008
Larry Gray
2009
Nyna Kaiser
2010
Sandy Reinhardt (“Mama”)
2011
DJ Mora
2012
Mama Portugal
2013
Billy Aviles
2014
Fawn Luck
2015
Dan Lloyd
2016
Mel Yeager
2017
Randy Wright
2018
Robert Kleypas
2019
2020
Lena Mae Leroy
2021
2022
Tyler Fong
2023
Daddy Ray Tilton
2024
Cody Elkin
2025
Manny Santos