FRESNO, Calif. — The American Red Cross of the Central Valley proudly announces the 2026 class of heroes that will be honored at the Central Valley Heroes Awards on Thursday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Grand 1401 in Fresno. These individuals have gone above and beyond to build stronger, safer communities and have made a lasting impact through their selfless actions.

The Heroes Awards were established to raise public awareness of local heroes who exemplify the values of the Red Cross. “Our Central Valley Heroes Awards celebrate ordinary people with extraordinary impact,” said Lori Wilson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter. “These heroes reflect the mission of the Red Cross by responding in times of need with their bravery, compassion and volunteerism.”

The Red Cross will honor its class of heroes at this year's event, which will welcome hundreds of guests from across the Central Valley. Tickets are on sale to celebrate these individuals and raise funds to support the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross at redcross.org/CVheroes.

2026 Central Valley Heroes Honorees: The 2026 Class of Heroes will be recognized across ten categories and were selected by an independent committee of business and civic leaders. The Red Cross pays tribute to these inspiring individuals through their remarkable stories, which will be highlighted during the event.

***Click here to download hero photos***

Clara Barton Humanitarian Hero: Lawrence Fernandez (Madera, Calif.)

As a lifelong Madera resident and leader within the Madera Unified School District, Lawrence Fernandez’s commitment to service is deeply personal. He is protecting his neighbors, his children’s classmates and the future of the place he calls home. In his role overseeing school safety, Lawrence approaches every decision with the same guiding question: how do we keep students safe while preserving their dignity, trust and sense of belonging?

Under his leadership, Madera Unified has become a model for proactive and compassionate safety. Lawrence has been instrumental in launching programs that address the root causes of disengagement and harm. His humanitarian leadership reflects the very legacy Clara Barton established through foresight, compassion and unwavering service to others. Through his dedication, countless students are safer, supported and given the chance to thrive

Community Impact Hero: Rachel Reed (Clovis, Calif.)

Rachel Reed is often contacted when families realize they cannot navigate senior care alone. A parent is declining. A caregiver is exhausted. Decisions feel urgent and unclear. Rachel’s role is to bring structure to moments that feel overwhelming. As the founder of Assured Senior Living Solutions, Rachel supports families across the Central Valley by helping them identify appropriate senior living options at no cost. She co-founded The Aging Network California to improve coordination among providers, hospitals and nonprofits, reducing missed connections and preventable crises. She also partners with local organizations to provide free education on dementia care, placement planning and essential documentation.

Military Hero: Brandi Asacker (Clovis, Calif.)

After serving in the military herself, Brandi Asacker saw firsthand how difficult the transition to civilian life can be and how isolating it often feels. Instead of accepting that reality, she set out to change it. As the Founder and CEO of Beyond the Barracks, Brandi created a space where veterans can find connection, resources and a sense of belonging. The Beyond the Barracks Veterans Community Center in Old Town Clovis offers a welcoming environment where veterans can gather, heal and support one another as they transition into life after service. Her work ensures that veterans in the Central Valley do not have to face their journeys alone.

Healthcare Hero: Cory Jaques, MD (Visalia, Calif.)

In the Central Valley, access to child and adolescent psychiatric care is limited and moments of crisis often leave families with few safe options. As a children’s psychiatrist working across emergency departments, inpatient units, and community clinics, Dr. Cory Jaques has spent years operating inside that reality, showing up where the need is greatest and staying long after most would burn out. Dr. Jaques is a key force behind the development of a new Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit in partnership with Kaweah Health. The unit will give young people in mental health crisis an alternative to emergency rooms, offering timely care in a calmer, developmentally appropriate setting.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Jaques has helped train and mentor new psychiatrists, addressing a long-standing shortage of providers in the region. Many young patients request him by name, a reflection of the trust he builds through consistency and respect.

Education Hero: Laura Higareda-Chapa (Fresno, Calif.)

Laura Higareda-Chapa works at the intersection of education, justice and compassion.  As the first education attorney in the Juvenile Unit of the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office, Laura advocates for students who are often pushed out of classrooms when they need support the most. Many of the youth Laura serves have experienced trauma, foster care, homelessness or involvement in the juvenile justice system. They are disproportionately disciplined and excluded from school.

In 2025, Laura was selected as one of only 42 attorneys nationwide to attend the Youth Defender Advocacy Program Summer Academy, a recognition of her leadership in youth defense and education equity. Laura’s heroism lies in her belief that education is not a privilege. It is a right worth defending.

Lifesaving Rescue Hero: Case Bos and Jenett Porras (Reedley, Calif.)

On an ordinary day at Reedley College, a routine moment suddenly turned critical. A student collapsed and became unresponsive, setting off a race against time. In the middle of confusion and fear, Counselors Case Bos and Jenette Porras stepped forward without hesitation. Case immediately began performing CPR, drawing on training he had completed just months earlier. While Case focused on keeping the student alive, Jenette moved just as decisively, contacting emergency services and coordinating help to ensure responders arrived as quickly as possible. Their calm teamwork created order in chaos, giving the student the best possible chance of survival.

First Responder Hero: Brayden Grove (Exeter, Calif.)

Officer Brayden Grove responded to a call involving a one-and-a-half-year-old girl who was not breathing while in the care of her babysitter. When Officer Grove arrived, the child was unresponsive. He immediately began CPR, relying on his training while understanding that he was the only medical intervention available until paramedics could reach the scene. Officer Grove continued CPR until the child began breathing again. By the time emergency medical services arrived, she had stabilized. Officer Grove’s ability to act decisively, correctly and without hesitation made the difference between loss and survival.

Global Citizenship Hero: Samreen Chahal (Fresno, Calif.)

Service has always been central to Samreen Chahal’s life, even as a University High School student balancing rigorous academics and leadership roles. With over 1,400 hours of community service and a 4.53 GPA, Samreen has demonstrated compassion and global awareness that extend well beyond her years.

Samreen’s commitment to global citizenship came into sharp focus through a mental health awareness campaign she helped launch as part of her AP service-learning experience with WE. Working alongside a Fresno State professor, she organized a virtual presentation that reached more than 150 participants from around the world, addressing stigma and fostering understanding.

Good Samaritan Hero: Angel Zarco and Carlos Perea Romero (Madera, Calif.)

Carlos Perea Romero and Angel Zarco were doing what they do every day, working the land in Madera County when something felt off. Thick black smoke was rising nearby, and within seconds, they realized it was coming from a school bus stopped at the intersection of Avenue 8 and Road 23.5. Inside were about 20 children.

Without hesitation, and without protective gear or training, they ran toward the danger. Flames were spreading fast, but Carlos and Angel helped evacuate the students, guiding them to safety. Thanks to their quick thinking and courage, every student escaped without injury. What could have been a devastating tragedy, became a powerful example of ordinary people rising to the occasion in an extraordinary moment.

Youth Good Samaritan Hero: Luis Jimenez, Guillermo Rosales and Jose Tadeo (Woodlake, Calif.)

At Woodlake High School, a routine lunch break turned critical when a student began choking during a seizure. Panic spread, but Luis Jimenes, Guillermo Rosales and Jose Tadeo did not freeze. They acted. Working alongside school staff, the three students stepped in to help clear the student’s airway and keep him safe until help arrived. Their quick response and willingness to jump into a frightening situation played a critical role in saving a life. Thanks to their courageous actions, a classmate went home alive that day because three students chose action over hesitation.

This year’s Central Valley Heroes Awards is made possible thanks to generous sponsors, including: Humanitarian Sponsor The Sence Foundation; Lifesaver sponsors Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, The Grand 1401, Tutelian & Co., CalViva Health and Vandenberghe Properties; Resiliency Sponsors Assured Living, Blooming Belle Marketing, Hedricks Chevrolet, Kaweah Health, Reedley College and Tangram Interiors; our media sponsor KSEE24 & CBS47 and others.

The Red Cross established the Heroes event to raise public awareness of volunteers and local heroes who carry out the mission of the Red Cross every day. Red Cross chapters across the country have adopted this annual event in their own communities to honor those who make a simple, yet powerful decision to put personal needs aside to help others. Heroes events are now some of the best known and most beloved fundraising events in the United States. For more information about the Central Valley Heroes Awards, visit redcross.org/cvheroes.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.