Los Angeles, March 12, 2019 — The American Red Cross honored Humanitarian of the Year Bowen H. “Buzz” McCoy and his charitable organization, the Bowen H. and Janice Arthur McCoy Charitable Foundation, during its annual Humanitarian Awards ceremony this past Friday. The S. Mark Taper Foundation was also honored as Humanitarian Organization of the Year. 

The event brought celebrities, business leaders, philanthropists, and elected officials together at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to honor the McCoy and Taper families for their distinguished dedication and support of the Red Cross in Los Angeles.

SEE: Photos from the Red Cross Humanitarian Awards

The Humanitarian Awards, the organization’s premier event of the season, recognizes donors who help make the lifesaving work of the Red Cross possible.

The McCoy Family commitment to the Red Cross goes back nearly a century, beginning with Bowen McCoy and Berniece Hadley, two Red Crossers responding to the 1933 Long Beach-Compton earthquake. It lives on with their son, Bowen H. “Buzz” McCoy, who entered into his own service career with the organization as a teenager and whose generous spirit continues to fuel the Red Cross mission to this day.

“I have supported the Red Cross because I value its mission of people helping people in times of need, regardless of their race, creed or culture,” said Buzz McCoy, who shared the honor with his wife, Barbara. “The Red Cross is not elitist. There is no room service in a shelter. It is people helping people. It is each teaching one another, comforting one another, serving one another. In a time when we all seem to be searching for values and vision, The Red Cross [is] one of those institutions that show us the way. The McCoy Family is a Red Cross Family. Thank you for honoring us tonight with the Humanitarian of the Year Award.”

The S. Mark Taper Foundation, the namesake of the current and new Red Cross Los Angeles headquarters, was recognized for its more than 30 years of generosity and assistance in times of crises.

“The S. Mark Taper Foundation is very proud to be a partner and supporter of the American Red Cross” said Vice President Amelia Taper Bolker. “There is no doubt that the Red Cross is indispensable to our community and communities worldwide. We are thrilled to be honored and proud to see our name on the new regional headquarters opening in downtown Los Angeles this spring.” 

This past summer and fall, the Red Cross saw unprecedented disasters that stretched its resources and volunteers more than ever before. When all seemed lost, Red Cross volunteers from Los Angeles and across the country were there to provide comfort and offer hope. Along with the honorees, this year’s Humanitarian Awards focused on the incredible commitment volunteers have made to the mission of alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.  

Gala guests enjoyed live entertainment from Ramin Abrams and award-winning French singer Hélène Ségara, as well as celebrity appearances by model Nadine Mirada, Camila Banus (Star, Days of Our Lives), Pooja Batra (The Rookie), Chris Browning (Sons of Anarchy, The 100), Gloria Garayua (How to Get Away with Murder, Gray’s Anatomy), Savannah Liles (American Horror Story, Prodigy), singer Julie Mintz, Jessica Rey (Power Rangers) and Nancy Yoon (Days of Our Lives), who also served as the evening’s emcee.

The 2019 Humanitarian Awards were proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, The Walt Disney Company and Bank of America along with the Ares Corporation, Capital Group, L.A. Care, SoCalGas, UCLA Health, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Walmart. The after party was sponsored by Grant Thornton. 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.