Colorado Springs, CO, Thursday, February 19, 2018, — Everyday in our community ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of compassion, community service, and life-saving. The American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado has chosen nine heroes to be honored at the event that will be held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs on March 15, 2018 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Heroes to be recognized at the 2018 Colorado Springs Hometown Heroes Dinner
Humanitarian Award – Chuck Murphy
After more than a half century, Chuck has become a de facto expert on most of the historical buildings in the Pikes Peak Region. He became that expert based on his love for the community and his desire to preserve historical buildings. Chuck has served on a multitude of local boards including The Downtown Partnership, The Colorado Springs Planning Department and The Historic Preservation Alliance. He has received many awards including Business Citizen of the Year and The Lifetime Entrepreneurship Award. Gov. John Hickenlooper called Murphy “an inspiration to many and a community and business role model beyond compare.” Thank you for your extraordinary efforts toward making our city a better place.
Community Service/Adult Hero – James Schofield
James Schofield rallied Pikes Peak Community College students to assist with aid, relief and reconstruction efforts in Puerto Rico after the devastation brought by Hurricane Maria. Schofield and his team from Impact Adventure, a Christian outreach organization based in Colorado Springs worked closely with the mayor and Servicio al Ciudadano (Citizens Service Office) of Cayey, Puerto Rico, to bring aid to the city and surrounding areas. James says, “Getting involved and making a difference is both challenging and very simple. It means breaking from our routine, stepping outside our comfort zone with a heart to serve. This service begins with one decision to engage others, one step towards those in need, one act of coming along side another for mutual encouragement. Simple and life-changing at the same time.” We are grateful for his leadership and inspiration.
Community Service Hero – Marilyn Vyzourek
Marilyn has a decades long record of reaching out to the hurting, homeless and sometimes hopeless people of Colorado Springs. She is the creator and director of Gospel Homes for Women where women are assisted via a six-month program in reentering society after living on the streets or coming out of incarceration. Marilyn is a hands-on director, living 24/7 with up to 7 women at a time in her own home. She is a licensed and ordained minister and co-founder of the local Springs Rescue Mission. She has ministered to the poor, homeless and drug addicted for over 22 years. We appreciate all of her amazing efforts.
Youth Hero – Mackenzie Garcia
Mackenzie Garcia is an inspiring 13-year-old young lady. She pioneered a non-profit organization called Helping Everyone Recover (H.E.R.). With the help of friends and family she collects brand new pajamas for kids ages newborn to 18 years who are in need. She loves her own comfy jammies and wants children to enjoy the same sense of well being, even if they are displaced due to a disaster, a domestic issue or may be spending time in the hospital. Garcia shares her joy when she says, “It’s about the gifts of both giving and receiving. I have come to know that pajamas can be a conduit of LOVE!” We thank Mackenzie for her youthful perspective and passion to help others.
First Responder Organization – Colorado Springs Fire Department
The Colorado Springs Fire Department provides the force of 20 fire stations to diligently protect our city. In addition to the emergency incidents that CSFD personnel respond to every year, they also provide non-emergency services and they have partnered with the American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado in their Home Fire Campaign. We are proud to partner with the CSFD and thank them for their constant support fighting home fires and helping to distribute and install smoke alarms.
Animal Hero – City of Colorado Springs Police Department K-9 Unit
The Canine Unit provides trained dogs that can be deployed whenever needed to safeguard the community and its officers. It provides a clear deterrent to resistive suspects intent on assault, evasion, or escape using the highly-trained dogs. This Canine Unit is composed of 16 handlers/officers and their K9 partners. We thank the CSPD for maintaining a highly skilled canine force to protect and serve.
Community Service Hero – Tiko Hardy and Ann-Marie Manning
Tiko Hardy and Ann-Marie Manning, Social Work faculty at PPCC, worked to develop a campus mobile food pantry. Their partnership with Care and Share provides both food to students and the volunteers to distribute the food. In September 2017, Care and Share and PPCC’s volunteers held their first event handing out 4,500 pounds of food. More than 150 students and staff received food. Their efforts have made a positive impact on the issue of food insecurity in our city.
Military Hero – United States Air Force Academy Mountaineering Club
A group of Air Force Academy Cadets and Faculty saved the lives of two lost hikers on Torreys Peak, a Colorado fourteener, despite freezing temperatures and whiteout conditions. The hikers’ clothing was torn and soaked. They had no food and little water, and with sunset approaching, they found themselves in a life-threatening situation. Lt. Col. Robert Marshall, officer-in-charge of the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Mountaineering Club, said the two men were… “Woefully unprepared for the conditions. They had lost the trail and weren’t sure how to get down the mountain. They had no flashlight, map, GPS rescue beacon or shelter.” Cadets from the Mountaineering Club found the hikers and insured their safety. We thank them for their strength and service to our country and to those in need.
Community Partner Hero – Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center
The Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center provides transition and wellness services for veterans, military and their families by delivering expertise, resources, space and sustainability. The nationally recognized Veterans Integration Program (VIP) at Mt. Carmel specializes in providing employment-seeking services to transitioning military members. They support treatment services for depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, PTSD, and life transitions. The center provides housing support, utility resource assistance, financial classes as well as counseling, food, clothing and employment assistance. They are an important part of our community and we thank them for supporting our military members.
Title Sponsor for the 2018 Colorado Springs Hometown Heroes Dinner is Phil Long Family of Dealerships.
Funds from this event are used to support all Red Cross services in southeast Colorado including the Service to Armed Forces Program, Disaster Relief and Health and Safety programs. To purchase tickets or sponsor a table for this event call Thomas Gonzalez at (719) 785-2701 or email to thomas.gonzalez@redcross.org.