LONG BEACH – March is Red Cross Month, and the best time to honor local heroes throughout our community. As part of this month’s celebratory activities, The Greater Long Beach/Rio Hondo chapter is set to host our annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on March 2nd at the Grand Long Beach Event Center. In all, 16 local individuals will be honored for performing heroic acts that saved a loved one, stranger, or co-worker’s life! Additionally, the Corporate Hero Award will be presented to the Tesoro Corporation, and special recognition will also be going to the Bragg Companies-- the centennial sponsor of this year’s luncheon.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The event will also bring together Red Cross community partners like, Southern California Edison, Mitsubishi Cement, Toyota Auto Body Company, and UPS. We are also excited to have Mat Kaplan, the host and producer of “Planetary Radio” for the Planetary Society, on board to host this year’s celebration.

This is the 13th year the Red Cross Los Angeles Region has come together in Long Beach to honor individuals who demonstrate selfless acts of courage and kindness. And, we are grateful to have so many individuals in our region that exemplify the mission of the American Red Cross.

Here is a look at this year’s honorees:

Bernd Stevens – A World War II hero who risked his life to stop the killing of many innocent people.

Bridget Hains, Lisa Montoya, & Alonso Serna – Together, these two co-workers and one stranger saved another stranger’s life at the La Mirada Civic Center.

Erin Grissom, Max James-Jolly, Julia Jaynes, Mark Ryan – These four sailing instructors saved a young girl’s life over Memorial Day weekend, in Alamitos Bay.

Michael Cravin – While home for a visit, Michael saved his own mother’s life using CPR.

Andre & Joelle Mary – This husband and wife saved a young woman from committing suicide in El Dorado Park.

Cuauhtémoc Blancas – While on a job-site in Malibu, this construction worker saved his best friend and co-worker’s life, only five days after they attended a Red Cross CPR class together!

Ed Hano – While off duty and at home, this public service officer saved an infant’s life using CPR.

Rory Willeford & Alex Novak – Together, these strangers saved Rory’s Mother-in-law’s life—on Mother’s Day!

Susie Powell – On the way to work, this hero pulled over her own car to save a man who had collapsed in his while driving.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the event and can be purchased by calling, 562.595.6341.