For 18 years, the Red Cross has celebrated its Hometown Heroes – ordinary people who through extraordinary actions, made a positive difference in their communities through acts in either emergency response, disaster preparedness and prevention or exemplified the Red Cross mission in similar ways.
The heroes being honored this week represent LA’s melting pot of communities, people of all ages with varied abilities. They’re all unified, however, by one key factor — something inside compelled them to help another person whose life was in danger. Heroes, like Rafael Rodriguez, an off-duty officer, who rushed to aid a car crash victim stuck and unconscious in their car. Rodriquez was able to extract the driver moments before their vehicle burst into flames.
“The spirit of heroism and valor is truly alive and well in the communities we serve in the Los Angeles Region,” said Amy Papageorges, Executive Director for the American Red Cross Greater Long Beach and South Bay Chapter. “The level of bravery and altruism that our Hometown Heroes have demonstrated this year is nothing short of inspirational. We look forward to sharing their stories of hope on May 18.”
The Hometown Heroes awards luncheon is made possible by the generosity of sponsors including: Bank of America, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TABC, California Resources Corporation, Capital Group, Disney World Wide, Marathon Petroleum, Edison International, Westfield-URW, 24 Hour Home Care, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Acrisure-Busby Stone Risk Management, Air Products, BRAGG Companies, Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation, Fastlane Transportation, Southern California Gas Company, Total Western and Watson Land Company.