ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 28, 2025) – The American Red Cross of Orange County is honoring local residents for their outstanding acts of heroism. These extraordinary heroes will be celebrated at the 2025 Orange County Heroes Awards and luncheon, held on Friday, May 2 at the City National Grove of Anaheim from noon – 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.
2025 Orange County Heroes Awards Honorees
Click here to view and download hero photos.
- First Responder Hero Award: Chief Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority (Irvine, Calif.)
Although Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy has seen many fires, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles was deeply personal. In January, the Eaton Fire was sweeping through Altadena, the community where Chief Fennessy grew up, and where his brother Dave still lived. He was initially unable to contact Dave, and fearing the worst, he drove from Orange County to Altadena. Fortunately, he learned that Dave and his family were able to evacuate. When Chief Fennessy got to his brother’s neighborhood, miraculously, the only homes still standing on the street where that of his brother and a neighbor. Knowing that fires can quickly spread, and no fire crews were available to protect the remaining two homes, he went back to his car, gathered some tools and went to work. With the help of a friend, they tore down wooden fences along with other combustibles. He recognized a hot spot in the neighbor’s house around the gas meter, which if ignited, would certainly mean the destruction of both homes. Without any water, he improvised quickly by forcing into the home and found a small number of liquids in the refrigerator. He doused the hot spot with these liquids to cool down the gas meter as much as possible. Due to Chief Fennessy’s quick-thinking, he was able to save his brother’s home and the home of his neighbor.
- Disaster Services Hero Award: Chef Robert Duvall (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
As he saw the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, Orange County-based chef Robert Duvall immediately wanted to help. He thought of the leftover food in his freezer from holiday catering events and decided he could use it to feed at least 100 people. Chef Robert took to social media to recruit others to help, and quickly garnered the support of 14 fellow Orange County chefs who committed to making meals for fire survivors and first responders. Chef Robert’s goal was to deliver 10,000 meals within the first six weeks, and thanks to his efforts and the support of other local chefs, this goal was surpassed. Chef Robert delivered thousands of meals to Red Cross shelters and other locations during the wildfires, helping countless people impacted by the fires, as well as supporting first responders. In addition to his wildfire relief efforts, Chef Robert is dedicated to improving school lunches by advocating for healthier, balanced meals and reducing processed food in local schools. He is also launching his own non-profit, Duvall’s Community Kitchen, to feed families in need in Orange County.
- Youth Hero Award: Rohen Vargo (San Clemente, Calif.)
San Clemente teenager Rohen Vargo’s grandfather has Parkinson’s Disease, and Rohen grew up taking his blood pressure. As part of his high school studies, Rohen learned about healthcare disparities in different areas of Orange County. Knowing that access to basic home blood pressure monitoring could be lifesaving for people unable to regularly see a physician, Rohen started a program called Health in Your Hands. Using a $3,250 grant with his high school, he initiated a student-run blood pressure screening clinic, where he distributed free blood pressure cuffs and provided educational pamphlets. Health in Your Hands not only screened for hypertension but also provided a way for individuals to be proactive about their health. Thanks to Rohen’s dedication, Health in Your Hands has provided blood pressure screening for over 89 adults and cuffs to 416 individuals.
- Gift of Life Hero Award: Mikie Guerrero and the Guerrero Family (Santa Ana, Calif.)
In 2020, Mikie Guerrero endured a life-altering car accident that left him in a coma for 27 days. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, made possible through the generous blood donations that sustained him. Within the first 24 hours of emergency care, Mikie received 32 units of whole blood and 14 units of platelets at Orange Global Medical Center. Over the course of his treatment, Mikie received a total of 64 units, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining a stable blood supply for hospital patients. Grateful for the generosity of blood donors who saved his life, Mikie and his family have taken action to ensure other patients receive the same opportunity. They have successfully organized annual blood drives, engaging family, friends, and local supporters. Since 2023, Mikie’s blood drives have welcomed 52 first-time blood donors and collected 171 units of blood, further contributing to the community's blood supply and potentially saving countless lives.
- Animal Welfare Hero Award: Jonathan Wood (Mission Viejo, Calif.)
Jonathan Wood is a retired business executive and co-founder of Trinity Counseling Ministries alongside his wife Amanda. In addition to spearheading the ministry’s Dog Behaviorism & Animal Assisted Therapy Program, Jonathan is also a registered hospice care volunteer and an AKC-Certified Canine Evaluator and Trainer. At Trinity Counseling, Jonathan assists others in learning “how to speak dog” and guides them in utilizing the newfound relationship with their dog to make a positive impact in their community by volunteering in a nursing facility, school, hospital or the creative location of their choice. In addition to his work with dog behaviorism, Jonathan and Amanda have two miniature horse therapy ponies named Maverick and Jasmine, who bring joy to terminally ill hospice patients. As a philanthropist and advocate for animal welfare, Jonathan’s unwavering commitment to therapy animals provides a sanctuary for healing and restoration in the lives of community members in need.
- Good Samaritan Hero Award: Jim and Dilki Tulette (Seal Beach, Calif.)
A quick trip to Target turned into a health emergency for Lenny La Vache. While shopping, he suddenly fell to the floor and hit his head, resulting in extensive head trauma and bleeding. In the aisle next to him was retired Fire Department Captain Jim Tulette and his wife Dilki. Jim immediately checked for a pulse and breathing and started lifesaving measures, using towels to help with the head injury bleeding and also performing CPR. Dilki called 911, providing valuable information to the dispatcher about Lenny’s fall and head injury, and informing them that CPR was in progress. She then waited outside to help direct first responders to Lenny’s location, saving critical time. Jim, and later first responders, provided a total of 23 minutes of continuous lifesaving CPR and two AED shocks before Lenny’s heartbeat returned. In the following days, Lenny received extensive medical care. “There is no way Lenny should be alive today. Doctors gave him a 6% chance of survival under those circumstances,” says his wife, Carol. Today, Lenny is healthy and happy due to Jim and Dilki’s heroic and lifesaving actions.
- Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award: Mission Viejo Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee (Mission Viejo, Calif.)
The Mission Viejo Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee was founded in 2006 by the City of Mission Viejo. The committee is dedicated to supporting the Marines and Sailors of Headquarters Battalion,1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. Committee volunteers support year-round initiatives including sending care packages to deployed troops, providing emergency assistance to servicemembers, collecting toys for the children of servicemembers and facilitating the "Holiday Adopt a Marine Family Gift-Giving Program," distributing grocery store gift cards to Marines during Thanksgiving, honoring outstanding Marines at City Council meetings, raising approximately $50,000 annually through fundraising events like the "Tee it Up for Marines" golf tournament and more – significantly impacting the lives of those they serve at Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
- Corporate Hero Award: Automobile Club of Southern California (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
Automobile Club of Southern California (Auto Club) has been a longtime partner of the American Red Cross. In January 2025, the Auto Club supported survivors of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, with Auto Club employees assembling thousands of hygiene kits to distribute to those displaced by the fires. The Auto Club also committed to donating $800,000 to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and $200,000 to the Red Cross, earmarked for wildfire relief efforts. The Auto Club also previously donated $75,000 to support Red Cross relief efforts after the devastating Hawaii wildfires. The Auto Club helps support the community by hosting Red Cross blood drives at their Costa Mesa Administrative Offices, which have collected over 293 units of blood since 2022 to help patients in need. Additionally, the Auto Club also ensures its employees are prepared to help during emergencies, utilizing Red Cross Training Services programs to train over 100 of their employees in First Aid/CPR/AED.
Orange County Heroes Awards event tickets and sponsorships are available now. This year's event donations will benefit Red Cross Disaster Relief. From Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the Airport Fire, Line Fire, Bridge Fire, Los Angeles wildfires and countless other crises, the Red Cross has been there for thousands of people across the nation - providing vital relief and tangible help and hope - to ensure no one faces a disaster alone. Donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief will help the organization continue to deliver care to people in need. Match Sponsors A Little Help Foundation and The Caring Path Foundation Fund will match all event donations up to $30,000.
The Orange County Heroes Awards is made possible thanks to the generosity of Humanitarian Sponsors Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and Brasstech, Inc.; Regional Sponsor U.S. Bank; Presenting Sponsors SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and UCI Health; Community Sponsors Susan and Al DeGrassi, Glovis America, Inc., Kia America, Nationwide, the Pacific Life Foundation, the Rowsell Family, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, David and Carolyn Todd, Vertiv Packaging Solutions and other local sponsors.
Nominations for the annual Orange County Heroes Awards are accepted year-round. For more information please visit redcross.org/OCHeroes.
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/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with the Southern California Region on X, Instagram, YouTube or Facebook.
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