Heart of a Hero Recipients Awarded
by Rick Reed

The Heart of A Hero 2008 gala event was held at the Holiday Inn on Date Avenue, Sacramento on March 27th.  The event provided a very special opportunity to recognize those who are making a positive impact within our community assisting youth.

The evening raised funds for the Campus Life Connection Teen Centers and youth programs.

The 12th annual gala dinner honored the outstanding effort of those in our community as they enhance the well-being and safety of young people.

The Heart of A Hero event has been established to raise community awareness of the need teenagers have for a safe, stable, and drug/alcohol free environment and how such an environment assists in guiding their energy and actions in a positive direction. The gala also recognized the efforts of extraordinary individuals who have assisted youth in the greater Sacramento Valley (Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado Counties).

2008 Heart of a Hero Recipients

While all the nominees are heroes receiving a certificate of recognition, these recipients stood out in their individual categories for special honors:

Heart of a Leader
Counselor mentors Jesse Davis of Strategies for Change and Trino Richard Zavala tied in this category. They each received a plaque recognizing their contributions as community leaders who mentor youth through substance abuse, anti-gang and drug counseling. The Gala audience also voted Mr. Zavala as its choice for hero of heroes, and he received accolades and the Award of Heart of the People for his work with The Effort in Sacramento.

Community Heart
We all get hungry and the Northridge Church of God’s “Grab & Go” food assistance program for children received honors in this category. Sam Jones accepted the award for the Fair Oaks program. Pastor Jay Dudley praised the many volunteers who staff the nutrition program providing breakfast to area schoolchildren who would otherwise be hungry in class.

Voices of the Heart
He is well known for his on air radio antics and long partnership with Phil Cowan at Y 92 FM. Broadcaster Paul Robbins was chosen as a singular example of community leadership for his personal 92 mile fundraising run on behalf of Sacramento’s Atkinson Youth Services. Sacramento Raley’s Stores sponsored the run.

Knowledge of the Heart
Teacher and counselor Scott Evans from Carmichael’s Mira Loma High School was selected from among a score local teachers nominated. He stood out for his personal commitment to making education more than facts and figures, providing students with mentoring on issues beyond the classroom.

Spirit of the Heart
The Robinson Community Center has helped change lives, improve family life and create a center for the North Sacramento community. They were honored with the plaque for Dream Builder’s Youth Group programs.

Heart of a Servant
The Cosumnes River Fire District helped children explore firefighting as a career during its Fire Camp. For two weeks Elk Grove area children participated in realistic fire fighting drills and learned how fire departments do their job. Many area firefighters provided volunteer time to give kids positive role models during the summer break program.

Brave Heart 2008
Sacramento Sheriff’s Sgt. Pam Irey was leading her Explorer program during the Bull Riding Rodeo event at the California State Fair when one animal broke loose and charged a nearby group of children. Without a thought for her own safety, Irey demonstrated the courage of a true Hero in jumping in front of the charging bull deflecting it from harming the kids. She was injured and hospitalized after being struck and tossed, but not a single child was injured. Her actions made her the outstanding choice as 2008 Brave Heart recipient.

The Campus Life Connection is a non-profit, youth services program free of charge in area communities. Visit www.northareateencenter.com. Those interested in participating in future Heart of the Hero events may contact Jim Vargas, Executive Director, North Area Teen Center, at 486-9893 or 335-0804, or write to: Heart of A Hero, P.O. Box 397, Carmichael CA 95609-0397.