Accolades - And Breakfast! - for Well-Deserved Santa Cruz County Heroes of 2014

The American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter honored 18 individuals at the Heroes Breakfast event Wednesday. 

Volunteers, sponsors, and community members gathered at the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to honor the commitment and compassion of our everyday heroes who serve as the heart and soul of Santa Cruz County. 

[Previous: Red Cross Salutes Our Santa Cruz County Heroes]

The goal of the event was to recognize acts of heroism by local residents and pay tribute to those who have performed lifesaving deeds while supporting the local lifesaving programs and emergency services.

More than 300 people attended the Heroes Breakfast. Opening remarks were given by Rick Martinez, Deputy Chief of Police for the City of Santa Cruz and Board Chair of the American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter. Presentation of Colors was done by the Watsonville Police Cadets and the National Anthem was sung by Alice Hughes, Musical Director of Pacific Collegiate School.

 Proclamations were presented by Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Supervisor. The Heroes Master of Ceremonies was Phil Gomez, KSBW News Reporter and awards were presented by Ginaia Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter and Rick Martinez. 

Closing remarks were given by Jimmy Panetta, Deputy District Attorney of Monterey County.

Congratulations once again to our 2014 Santa Cruz County Heroes!

·         Animal Rescue Hero: JP Novic

·         Youth Hero: Tenaya Greeninger

·         Law Enforcement Hero: Coresta Salas

·         Rescue Professional Heroes: Clayton Ogden, Jerry Freeman, Ryan Baker, and Ben Bynes

·         Good Samaritan Hero: Daron Pisciotta

·         Workplace Hero: Vincent Ceniseroz

·         Education Hero: Cheryl Samios

·         Medical Professional Heroes: Vanessa Little, Tree Dunbar and Emmi Schambeck

·         Military Hero: Dean Kaufman

·         Community Hero: Phil Kaplan

·         Eleanor Wasson Volunteer Award: Jim and Jeriann Bosso

·         Lifetime Achievement Award: Lori Butterworth

A special thanks to our Title Sponsors: Dominican Hospital, Dignity Health Medical Group, Physicians Medical Group of Santa Cruz, and Wells Fargo, Media Sponsors: KSBW, ABC Central Coast, Joyce Anderson Productions, Santa Cruz Sentinel, 92.7 KTOM, 105.1 K-OCEAN, KDON, and KSCO AM 1080, Table Sponsors: Santa Cruz County Bank, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Fox Racing, Al DeCamara Management, Jeffree Lee Estate Planning, Bay Photo, Bay Federal Credit Union, Mount Hermon, and Comcast, Red Cross Supporter: Cartwright, Scruggs, Fulton and Walther, Attorneys at Law and Red Cross Advocate: California Pajarosa Floral.