Tonia Silva, 2025 Honorary Mayor poses with Troy Golden, Vice President and Cathy Haskill President of the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce. Photo courtesy of Venus Pressnell of Heavenly Lens Photography

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - The Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce has named local business owner Tonia Silva as the 2025 Honorary Mayor of Rio Linda and Elverta, celebrating her leadership and impressive fundraising efforts.

Silva, owner of Tonia Silva, Bookkeeper & Tax Preparer, Inc., earned the title after raising more than $13,000 for the Rio Linda Bible Quizzers, the highest total among this year’s candidates.

Silva’s campaign brought fresh energy to the community, featuring Rio Linda’s first pickleball tournament, a Catan board-game tournament and a lively community concert showcasing local talent including Kambria Silva, The Royer Boys and a group of musicians from Christian Life College led by Savannah Hines. Silva concluded her efforts with a well-attended benefit dinner hosted by The Grotto, the community’s new comfort-food destination.

“I love building community, uplifting people and giving back. Running for honorary mayor let me do all three, creating meaningful events, empowering others to get involved and sharing my time and resources to make every occasion special and inclusive for different parts of our community,” Silva said. 

“I’ve seen firsthand the dedication of our Rio Linda Bible Quizzing teams. It was truly an honor to invest in them: these are our future leaders and I’m passionate about building tomorrow’s generation,” she said.

Honorary mayor Tonia Silva raised more than $13,000 for the Rio Linda Bible Quizzers. She stands with Rio Linda Bible Quizzers members. Photo courtesy of Venus Pressnell of Heavenly Lens Photography

Also competing were Rocio Gomez, who raised more than $12,000 for the American Legion, and Sandie McGouran, who collected approximately $1,000 for Sisters In Christ. Together, the three candidates generated more than $27,000 for local charities.

In addition to announcing the new honorary mayor, the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce honored Tommy Hall as the 2025 Rio Linda Elverta Community Champion. Hall was recognized for his extraordinary service, mentorship and dedication to helping others overcome hardship. Known for using his own life experiences to uplift those facing challenges, Hall provides school supplies, haircuts and guidance to young people in the community.

For Hall, the honor affirmed the work and support of the Rio Linda community.

“It’s not me; it’s the people I surround myself with,” Hall said. “I’m just the face of it.”

The Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce praised Hall’s authenticity, compassion and belief in second chances, calling him “a true example of what it means to be a community champion.”

Tommy Hall, the 2025 Rio Linda Elverta Community Champion, poses with Forrest Johnson from Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez's office. Photo courtesy of Venus Pressnell of Heavenly Lens Photography

Both Silva and Hall were celebrated for embodying the spirit of service that strengthens the Rio Linda and Elverta communities.