By Kelley Lieberman, American Red Cross volunteer
 

On September 26, 2025, American Red Cross Southern California Region board members, staff, volunteers, partners and friends came together at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego to celebrate real heroes in our community at the 23^rd Annual Real Heroes Awards.

It is difficult to not be inspired arriving at the USS Midway Museum, especially when you’re greeted by volunteers dressed as Red Cross icon Clara Barton. Visiting the museum helps us remember and learn about the heroes in our history but on this morning, we also gathered to honor ordinary people with extraordinary courage living among us today.

The awards ceremony was hosted by NBC 7 San Diego’s Monica Dean, a longtime emcee of the event, champion for the Red Cross and hero in her own right – she survived colorectal cancer this year and shared her inspiring story during the event. Following a Presentation of Colors and a lovely rendition of the national anthem, Anthony O’Boyle with Sycuan Casino Resort, the “Hometown Hero” event sponsor, helped kick off the event. He reminded the audience why these awards are important and explained how awardees are nominated by the community and then selected by a committee.

“Heroism isn’t about just one moment,” he said. The heroes being recognized exemplify character traits that go beyond a simple act of kindness or single instance of bravery.

Here are some of the inspiring stories we heard during the ceremony and breakfast:
 

• Bobbi Brink is the founder and director of Lions, Tigers & Bears, an animal sanctuary in San Diego County. She shows us how being a hero means more than just saving human life. Through her animal sanctuary, Bobbi has helped rescue more than 1,000 animals and she has become an advocate for change for animal welfare.  
• The American Red Cross is able to continue its mission each day thanks to corporate partners like Qualcomm and their dedicated staff. Qualcomm has supported the American Red Cross for more than 30 years through blood drives, donation matching, volunteering and more.
• Guy Baxter showed up for his brother when it mattered most. After his brother suffered a potentially fatal cardiac event while surfing, Guy did not panic and instead, jumped into action. He may not have played the only role in saving his brother’s life but illustrated how the power of love and encouragement to keep going can make all the difference.
• You often hear about how heroes run toward danger and Navy Chief Gilbert Gonzalez did just that. When an unexpected plane crash occurred on his family’s street in his neighborhood of Murphy Canyon in San Diego, Gilbert did not hesitate to help his neighbors. He wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of. That’s the power of community.
• Resource Access Program (RAP) is on a mission to help ensure that no one slips through the cracks. RAP helps provide and connect people to the appropriate care and resources they need when they call 911. They are a lifeline to many, especially those at risks in our community.
• Michael Baum inspires us all to help give the gift of life through blood and platelet donation. Not only has Michael donated nearly 100 platelet units in the past four years, but he has also encouraged his friends and family to join him, which has led to even more lives being saved.
• Austin Cooke with the U.S. Coast Guard demonstrated that every life matters and saving lives goes beyond borders. While Austin may say that he was just in the right place at the right time, his actions showed bravery when he helped save another man’s life.
• Every second counts, and 13-year-old Dash Menolascino reminded us that sometimes it is important to “not think, just do.” His quick actions helped his young brothers and beloved dog escape a devastating fire at their family home.

As each honoree accepted their award, they all said the same thing – that they are not a hero, they just did what anyone would have done. But those of us in the audience agreed that these individuals are special and exemplified true heroism in their actions.

In addition to being inspired by our real heroes, the audience was also reminded throughout the morning to look inward ­— whether it is finding a calling to serve the community or evaluating our individual preparedness. We can all be heroes in our own lives and for each other.