The Red Cross Chapter of Colorado & Wyoming held its annual Rocky Mountain Heroes celebration at a virtual meeting in March. CEO Gina Greco opened the ceremony followed by host Gloria Neal, who promoted the event with a silent auction and fundraiser during the heroes celebration. Two Wyoming singers entertained the audience with several country songs at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
The 2021 seven heroes included
1) the Poudre Fire District in fighting the Cameron Fire and helping local residents protect their homes,
2) Peterson AFB (CO Springs) Staff Sgt Jason Mendoza Anaya, who saved an older person at a laundromat having a serious heart attack,
3) Delta County Sheriff Sgt Travis Lackey, who saved a suicidal person waving a gun,
4) Parker police officer Landon Guzzo, who saved an electrocuted male with CPR,
5) Arvada kindergarten school teacher Renae Harris, who adjusted to remote learning and provided her class with personal visits and online learning,
6) six year old Bridger Walker (Cheyenne, WY), who saved his younger sister from a vicious dog attack after being bitten and receiving 90 stitches on his head and body, and
7) Hero of the Year Joni Reynolds, Director of Health Services in Gunnison, who created a strategy for nursing homes to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak and ultimately used by the governor’s office for the entire state.
There were 20 community heroes across Colorado and Wyoming considered for the Hero of the Year award. Ms. Neal also noted that 16,892 military members and veterans received assistance from the Red Cross in 2020.
Thanks to CoBank, Brian Casey Empower Retirement, Excel Energy, Health One, and PDC Energy for sponsoring the heroes this year during the virtual broadcast. Thanks to the Schrader Foundation for providing the donation match with many online donations for this beneficial event. Visit redcross.org/colorado for more details about their organization.