Long Beach Heroes | JustinRudd.com

CANCELLED: The Jan. 2021 event is cancelled due to COVID. We'll pick up honoring our local heroes once gathering is safer.



2019 Heroes Announced

THE 9th ANNUAL EVENT will be held Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, and each Hero will be awarded at least $500 to continue doing the work they do in the community. In addition, one the Long Beach Heroes will become Hero of the Year.

Fashioned after the CNN Heroes program, thousands will be handed out to unsung heroes at a dinner/awards ceremony hosted by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team (C.A.T.) at Bay Shore Church in Long Beach. The event is simply called “Long Beach Heroes” and is funded by CAT’s Long Beach Turkey Trot 5K/10K.  The program is about, "Honoring ordinary, unsung citizens who do amazing things in our community."

NOTE: Nomination period Jan. 1-9, 2020. Nominate within the form below or at www.JustinRudd.com/nominate

DO YOU HAVE a relative, a friend or a co-worker who is having a big impact in the Long Beach area? In every neighborhood, there are "unsung heroes" - volunteers and paid professionals who go well beyond their expected duties. Perhaps the person you nominate is active in education, the environment, animal welfare, youth or sports. Or, maybe there is no one "category" for which the person champions. We want to know about people you think should be recognized. All ages.

This program does not award posthumously.

WE WILL recognize the unsung heroes and help them to financially continue doing what they are doing.

Judging will take place by a panel of judges, as finalists are introduced by the person that nominated them. Each Hero will receive $500.





The 9th annual LONG BEACH HEROES awards will be presented by Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at Bay Shore Church. Funded by proceeds from the Long Beach Turkey Trot.

Heroes will receive $500 checks.

We'll be honoring ordinary, unsung citizens who exemplify the spirit of Long Beach caring and giving. Thousands will be awarded to unsung heroes. 

NOTES: This program does not allow repeat finalists or Heroes. If you are unsure if someone has been honored by this program in the past, please double-check with them before nominating (or search the names at the bottom of this page). Full list of previous heroes is below. We highly encourage you to make sure the person you want to nominate can attend the awards dinner before you fill out the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an "unsung hero?"
A: a person who makes a substantive yet unrecognized contribution; a person whose good work is unknown or not acknowledged.

Q: Who is eligible to be considered as a Long Beach Hero?
A: Nominations must be in the name of an individual whose accomplishments occurred (or continued) during/after the previous year. Groups and organizations are ineligible for consideration. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominees must live and/or work in the Long Beach area (Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, San Pedro, etc.)

Q: How will I know if my hero is selected?
A: Because of the number of nominations that will be received, we cannot respond individually to each submission. However, if your nomination advances, we will contact you and your nominee through the email information you provide.

Q: What if I don't know my nominee's e-mail?
A: We require either an email address so we may quickly contact your nominee to obtain their permission for consideration as a Long Beach Hero.

Q: May I submit additional supportive information about my nominee?
A: There's space at the end of the form to provide links to articles or Web sites with more information about your hero. Please do not send additional materials unless requested.

Q: May I mail or fax my nomination?
A: No. All nominations must be submitted online at www.JustinRudd.com/heronominations

Q: What if my nomination form is rejected?
A: When filling out your form, please note that certain information is required. Those fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Q: Can I attend/buy tickets to the Long Beach Heroes presentation?
A: Yes, it's $10/person to attend the dinner ceremony. The general public is welcome to attend. RSVP to Justin@JustinRudd.com.

Long Beach Heroes finalists in previous years included:

- recycling champion
- advocate for senior citizens
- volunteer at the city's animal shelter
- high school boy's sports team coach
- two spay/neuter advocates
- director of a youth musical group
- founder of a new nonprofit feeding the homeless
- two animal rescuers
- plumber who donates time and skills
- long-time beach cleanup steward
- uber volunteer who helps many nonprofits
- founder of a farmer's market
- director of a children's theatre
- founder of annual Thanksgiving dinner for homeless
- leader revitalizing a downtown public park

2018 Heroes

• Anthony Formoso
• Doug Felchlin
• Hulean T.
• Izzy Matos
• Jacob Baruch
• Julie McCall
• Lisa Hoffmaster
• Luci West
• Maleka Chris
• Mary Ann Hernandez
• Patricia DeBacker
• Paige Pelonis

2017 Heroes

• Landes Bell
• Dina Berg
• Breanna Dato
• David Fernandez
• Kenneth Fisher
• Diana Kliche
• Julie Lie
• Jenny Magana
• Sanndra Messick
• Calvin Mingione
• Noelle Polmanteer
• Yvette Purdue
• Lena Ragusa
• Tito Rodriguez
• Jessica Ruth
• Karen Thompson
• Yuri Williams (2017 Hero of the Year)
• Linda Wilson

2016 Heroes

• Rodney Coulter (Hero of the Year)
• April Smith Devane
• Louise Montgomery
• Eric Berg
• Brad Futak
• Gabe Torres 
 • Roni Naccarato
• Joel Davis 
• Paul Richardson 
• Jennifer Ballinger
• Mike Franklin 
• Jeanne Halliday
• Donna Helvey
• Jose Hernandez 

PHOTOS from the Jan. 15, 2017, event.

2015 Heroes

• Kenny Bumpers (Hero of the Year)
• Sandra Del Cid
• Brandy Gaunt
• Whitney Gomes
• Jessica Herrin
• Ward Johnson
• Jason Lehman
• Pam Rainsdon
• Christine Robbins
• Pamela Weinstein
• Hali Lynn Wolf 
• Anna Wong

2014 Heroes

• Linda Choi
• Keri Reich
• Monica Elmore
• Michael Song
• Patricia Williams
• Barry Cogert
• Shannon James
• Aurelie Vanderhoek
• Emily Haden
• Kate Karp
• Timothy Collier
• Laurel Terreri
• Brina Marie Romero
• Kelli Johnson
• Sean McMullen
• Renee Day
• Allison Kripp

Their nominators include: Natalie Gutenkauf, Dina Berg, Kelly Miott, Michael Hy, Jennifer Johnson, Crystal Angulo, Veronica Durre, Emily Haden, Becky Davis, Patricia Williams, Joe Corso, Carrie Nemec, Christine Robbins, Cathy Mccarty Procopio, Jewell Faamaligi, April Devane, and Jim Danno.

2013 Heroes

Allison Nicholas
Her nominator Mary McKelvie wrote: "At St. Mary's, Allison runs the CARE to dine program, raising over $30,000 for HIV/AIDs services by organizing a dine out-out night with more than 30 restaurants and dozens of community groups. She also dedicates time to Get On the Bus, a nonprofit organization that makes it possible for local children to visit incarcerated parents. She has been involved in over 10 prison bus trips taking 50+ families of the Long Beach and surrounding areas to visit loved ones in prisons 7 hours away who would otherwise not be able to visit because of transportation issues." She was also nominated by Janaya Nichols. http://careprogram.org

Anna Munguia
The 2013 Long Beach Hero of the Year is Anna Munguia. According to her nominator Raymond Chavarria: she volunteers more than 40 hours each week at MacArthur Park cleaning and teaching visitors to keep the park in good shape. She works with other homeless individuals, coaches, parents, teens and other park visitors to keep it safe, clean and green. She reports park issues to the appropriate contractor, city staff, or police, with issues including bathrooms without toilet paper, broken water sprinklers, and drug dealers. She was instrumental in having two child molesters caught by LBPD. She has lived in Long Beach since 1974.

Beatriz "Bee" Nieves
Her nominator is high school senior Ida Campos. Ida expressed, "Even though Bee was raised in poverty, abuse, and abandonment, she still has the power to help others." A campus security officer at Millikan High School, Bee is the founder of a club on campus called Milli-can. "In this club she teaches us at-risk as well as role model students that life does not have to be filled with gangs, fights, graffiti, drugs or alcohol, but can be enriched with sports, community fundraisers, and educational field trips."

Claudia Copley
Nominator Maria Gugerty wrote: "I am nominating Claudia Garcia Copley, Founder and President of the 4GIRLS Organization, for the positive impact she is making in our community via the non-profit she founded in 2010. The 4GIRLS Organization is dedicated to empowering and inspiring middle school girls. The name 4GIRLS stands for 'Getting Inspired 4 Real Life Success.' The organization is committed to developing and offering an annual empowerment workshop that encourages girls to view themselves as inherently powerful, valuable and beautiful." She is also president of the Docent Guild at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). http://inspiration4girls.org

Eric Gray
His nominator Blair Cohn wrote: "Eric is a one man tour de force in downtown Long Beach. He is a co-founder of HOPA (Historic Old Pine Avenue) Business District, active member of the DRC (Downtown Residential Council), force behind the Twilight Walk art night and is working to promote Long Beach's foodie and music communities. And when he isn't acting as part of a group, he sets out on his own to create positive change - he saw that painting the fire hydrants gold downtown would beautify the neighborhood...so he just did it. And he has been involved in numerous tree planting and gardening projects, along with other efforts to make his community look better." He was also nominated by Jeff Williams. www.facebook.com/HistoricPineAvenue 

Cathy Procopio
Her nominator John Royce wrote: "Cathy Precopio is the driving force behind the Hughes Middle School Green Team that helped secure the school’s impressive Federal Green Ribbon School Award, one of only 64 nationwide. Funded by recycling revenue, they host campus work days in Mar and Nov. Once trampled spaces showcase low water landscapes, food, herbs & butterfly gardens. Labyrinths encourage exploration & resting spaces offer benches & embellishments crafted from discards. They’ve planted & cared for almost 50 trees selected to filter particulates from urban air and tended spaces capture rainwater that once raced to storm drains. Cathy leads students to understand and teach others to reduce their environmental impacts."

Gretchen Swanson
Her nominator Jeff Anderson wrote: "Gretchen has given countless hours of community service over the past five years by serving on the Rose Park Neighborhood Association board, spearheading the Restoration Trade Fair, and leading the Historic East Seventh organization. She is the glue the brings together not only the boards she serves, but the local businesses, schools, and other historic neighborhoods to effect positive change in our local community around Rose Park. Gretchen has not only given hundreds, if not thousands of hours of her time, but also has reached into her own pocket to help pay for supplies, events, and whatever is necessary to propel these groups and causes."

Jim Danno
His nominator Lena Gonzalez says: "His efforts in the Willmore City Historic District go far beyond his own interests, he simply loves his neighborhood and aggressively and creatively finds ways to obtain funding and work on projects that connect our communities and engage local youth, Spanish speakers and very diverse individuals. He makes them all come together to learn respect for their community, hard work in making things happen and collaborations with the city, other neighborhoods and private partners." www.WillmoreCity.org

Joe Corso
His nominator Debbie Flynn wrote: "Joe has been instrumental in setting up Community Gardens all over Long Beach. He is in high demand to start community gardens all over Long Beach that he has never had to the recognition that he deserves. He is a very hard worker. Gives his time to all the gardens that he has started. Has put up with a lot of situations that are not all good and has resolved with kindness, generosity, and consideration." www.longbeachorganic.org

Julie Kim
Her nominator Terri Genewich submitted: "She goes out of her way to make sure things are right for everyone and that each event is supplied, stocked & ready for the community. She is also very dedicated & loyal to all her volunteer programs & events. She has been a LB Community Action Team volunteer for over 10+ yrs, helping to organize, set up/take down and recruit & implement each activity she in involved with! Julie has also been volunteering almost all of her Saturdays this past year with the Long Beach Felines to find homes for shelter rescues or abandon cats. She herself is a 'Foster Parent' to 2 rescues she eventually ended up permanently adopting, Chester & Curious George."

Liz Reyes
Her nominator Diana Kliche wrote: "Liz created FOOD for Pets. F.O.O.D. for Pets provides pet food to seniors, homeless, low-income, and homebound individuals who otherwise may not have adequate food to take proper care of their pets. By easing their concerns about caring for their pets, clients can make better use of their resources, such as money and food. In many cases, the availability of pet food and more efficient allocation of resources may help a client reestablish him or herself in society." http://food4petslb.com/

Marcia Harris
Her nominator Linda Hernandez wrote: "She has tutored students, volunteered at the Carpenter Center, helped for 14 years at the Governor & First Lady's Conference, festivals and LB city events. She volunteers at Rancho Los Cerritos and recently helped at the Rancho Los Alamitos Harvest Festival. She helps Performance Tire pack and deliver Thanksgiving boxes to needy LB families and gives tours of downtown LB, is involved with Bixby Knolls Strollers and in 2013 her book on Fanny Bixby was published by History Press. She portrays Fanny in the community. She helps seniors at Bixby Towers and raises Guide Dogs for the Blind. Marcia gives Magic Shows and visits children in the hospital as an LB Diabetic All-Star. She took part in the Community Police Academy and is a CERT member. As a member of LB Storytellers, shares with and about the Long Beach community." She also raises guide dogs for the blind.

Marleen Hurtado
Her nominator Patricia Zaid wrote: "Marlene bags and distributes pet food for the homeless of Long Beach who need assistance providing nutrition for their companions. She also helped out with a float so that we could participate at the Daisy Lane Parade. She sweeps the red carpet at Bulldog Beauty Contests, volunteers at the monthly 30-Minute Beach Cleanups, she participates for charity walks such as the Red High Heel Walk in Belmont Shore. She has helped the homeless retain their pets and gives purpose and reason for them to get up in the morning."

Mimi Masher
Her nominator Brooke Davis wrote: "Jamie Laughlin, aka Mimi Masher, is a hero to me, and more importantly to the young women of Jr. Roller Derby of Long Beach. She currently serves as owner/manager for the Jr. league of skaters and Jr. referees. What makes Mimi's leadership role noteworthy is her success at championing the alternative sport of roller derby for the alternative youth in Long Beach; what makes her a hero is her steadfast support and belief in creating a space where young people. young women especially, can discover who they are, through the challenges and team atmosphere found in the sport of roller derby. It is a league comprised of mostly young girls from 4-17, as well as female coaches and supportive parents, some of whom also play or referee roller derby." She was also nominated by Allison Kripp, Isabella Perez and Valery Verdin.

Natalie Gonzalez
Her nominator Kate Karp wrote: "She’s been a volunteer at Fix Long Beach, a free spay/neuter mobile clinic for low-income families, since she, her mom and her sister went there in July to get their dog, Roxy, spayed. That morning, FLB founder Claudia Hoffman needed help with Spanish translation, and Natalie rushed to the rescue. She’s been helping out at the clinic ever since, setting up the tents and tables at 7 a.m., organizing donated pet supplies to give to the clients, and, of course, translating. Natalie then took her passion and ran with it at her high school, where she’s started a Fix Long Beach Youth Club under the sponsorship of several teachers there after making a presentation about pet overpopulation and spay/neuter to about 100 students. The club meets at lunch and also at the FLB clinics. The volunteers do other activities as well; they recently helped out at a (30-Minute Beach Cleanup), wearing their bright-red FLB T-shirts." Natalie is 16 years old.

Sara Cozolino
Her nominator Christine Robbins wrote: "Sara makes time out of her week, every week to go into the Long Beach Animal Shelter to take photos of animals that are adoptable. She has increased knowledge of the number of animals in the shelter that are truly adoptable. I know that I don't have any data- but I am sure that her photos help more animals get adopted. Tuesdays are Sara Cozolino’s days off. The 32-year-old professional photographer started last Tuesday the way she has begun nearly every Tuesday for the past 18 months—with a long drive across the Los Angeles Basin, from the home she shares with her husband in Glendale to the east side of Long Beach, where she shares her time with the dogs and cats at Long Beach Animal Care Services."

Sherri Stankewitz
Her nominator Kely Hiebert wrote: "Sherri runs West Coast Animal rescue, which is a local rescue here in Long Beach. She takes in dogs in need. She cares for them, works with a local vet to rehabilitate and get the dogs ready for adoptions. She works tirelessly for these animals and gives her entire life to the welfare of these animals. She has been doing this for 14 years. If she hears of a dog in need no matter how close or far, she makes arrangements to get them to her rescue and in veterinary care. She volunteers with spay and neuter groups." www.westcoastanimalrescue.org

Shirley Vaughan
Her nominator Nancy Foster wrote: "For Shirley, helping others is her passion...whether it is kids/adults or LB animals. LB Kids Connection/LB Youth Home Boosters: Held offices & participated in fundrasing. West Side Clinic that helped people without insurance...on the Board. LB K-9 Officers Association: VP, Board member, assisted with annual car show that provides funds to purchase trained K-9 police dogs for LB. Member since 1999. But Shirley's heart has always been with animals in need. With her concern for the thousands of homeless animals in Long Beach, she was one of the founders of Friends of Long Beach Animals/FOLBA (1989): President for 20+ years and continues as active board member. Emphasis on spaying/neutering, Humane Education in LB schools for students to learn the proper love and care of animals and to help eliminate animal cruelty. Shirley has been hands on in rescuing animals from LB Animals Care Services and placing them in offices of local veterinarians in order to find each one a permanent home. Funds raised for Animal Services were for medical costs and supplies for animals in their care. Vouchers for spay/neutering were made available to Animal Services as well as the public."

Tony McMahon
Nominator Susan Brislin wrote: "Robert 'Tony' McMahon is a formerly homeless Navy veteran and the garden captian of the US VETS Initiative Veterans Villages Recovery Center Garden at the Century Villages at Cabrillo Supported Housing Community Shelter in Long Beach. Tony has helped many many individuals and families at the shelter with his garden and has trained other veterans to help in its maintainance. He played Santa Claus for the childrens OASIS after school holiday program featuring his mint and rosemary Christmas trees grown and decorated by the veterans, and mint hot chocolate prepared from the garden peppermint."

MORE PHOTOS

2012 Heroes

Cindi Young, left
"Cindi Young is the founder of Long Beach Neighborhood Book Swap, a free book swap cart she started on the sidewalk in front of her home. She started the book swap in Aug. 2012 and it continues to grow daily. She spends her days working as a teacher and her weekends in downtown Long Beach feeding the homeless and their pets. It is a rare occasion when her living room is not filled with donated books and pet food/supplies." - Rosana Miramontes, nominator

Coronada King, left (Hero of the Year, $2,000)
"Ms. King has been volunteering at Carmelitos for over a year. She began volunteering by teaching a computer literacy course; she then started a food program that provides breakfast and lunch to the residents at Carmelitos.  Weekly, her program serves around 400 residents and continues to grow. What makes Ms. King so special is not simply the service that she provides but in how she provides the service. When ever someone thanks her she is quick to reply that it is her pleasure to serve. Mon. through Fri., Ms. King and her staff come to Carmelitos to prepare food and feed numerous children without getting anything in return. Never have we had such a selfless, caring service provider as Ms. King." - Jeroll Rodgers, nominator

Dan Lubniewski, left
"Dan is a Marine Corps veteran, so already he\'s a hero. However, he\'s been rescuing animals all his life, pigeons in particular. For the past nine years, he's been a champion of injured birds and has become the go-to guy from Animal Care Services for injured birds. He treats pigeons who were hit by cars, cruelly wounded with fishhooks in the neck, and once, punctured in the head with a blow dart. He teamed up with ACS and wildlife rehabilitation advocates Christina Jones of S. Bay Wildlife Rehab and Terry Whatley of Village Pond Rescue, among others. His medical bag contains a net to catch the birds, peroxide, betadine, charcoal to feed poisoned birds, water, scissors, tweezers, a jeweler's eyepiece, and a pigeon pouch to carry the sick or wounded back to rehab. He's rescued a number of rare birds, including a white pigeon that ACS once asked him to get from the shelter. The bird kept returning to ACS despite various attempts to release him. Dan recognized the bird as a domesticated racing pigeon and took him from the shelter. Dan also went commando on a rescue mission in the hundred-year-old American Hotel on Broadway, where pigeons were trapped inside, rescuing many of them." - Kate Karp, nominator

Darlene McInerney, right
"Darlene has been a Rescue Partner, our name for our volunteers, at Long Beach Animal Care Services, for almost two years. She is at the shelter in excess of fifty hours a month, walking the animals, helping the kennel staff by giving the animals clean bedding, grooming, cleaning kennels and helping the public find the perfect pet for their home. She never says no when asked to assist. Not only does she spend time physically at the shelter, but she also networks our adoptable animals through social media and through her own contacts in the evening, donating even more countless hours than we track. Darlene has been entrusted to orient our new volunteers and she has been designated the lead volunteer, making sure the animals will have someone here every day to socialize them." - Kelly Miott, nominator

Israel Rodriguez, left
"Israel's greatest accomplishment isn't his own involvement, rather it is his unique ability to get those around him involved. Israel finds joy in getting his friends and neighbors involved in Long Beach, and cherish their sense of accomplishment when as a group, they realize how much good is achieved. In the past year, Israel has participated in the 30 minute beach cleanup 10 times, helped organize the Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade, wore high heels down 2nd St. (for charity), served as weight loss cheerleader at every Wed. weigh-in for biggest losers, and managed the crowd at the Bulldog Beauty Contest. Additionally, Israel helps those who are suffering, volunteering at the Drop-In Center on Sundays and helping make their annual Gala, the biggest fundraiser of the year, by inviting his friends! Israel also serves on the board of the Long Beach Center, helping with HIV prevention, testing, and education, and supports their community outreach programs. Israel has taken up photography this year, and used is gift to share pictures of the events with the participants, tagging them on Facebook, connecting his new recruits by building a greater sense of community and sharing their community giving." - Keir Jones, nominator

Lorian Gordon, right
"She took a class and learned to knit a scarf (which was way too long) so put it in her truck. One day she came upon a homeless woman who was cold. She remembered the scarf and was thrilled at how excited the woman was. She then took a class in knitting hats. Each year she knits hats and scarves for the homeless. She goes everywhere under bridges etc. distributing the 700 plus scarves/hats annually she (with the help of others) creates throughout the year. She also spread love when she gives her hats to each individual. Many people only have Lorian’s hats for warmth. She provides the yarn and know how and now has people helping her knit warmth." - Dixie Dohrmann, nominator

Thu-Huong "Lucy" Nguyen, right
"I met 'Lucy'' this past year, but am sooo impressed by her drive & dedication to the Long Beach community & people. She is involved in the Community Action Team that provides the area with charitable events that promote community, service & entertainment to all people. She is an intricate part of the team, always front & center to support & promote each activity and their participants. She is always there to make sure the set up/break down is complete & the event a success." - Terri Genewich, nominator

Ty Wagner, left
"Ty Wagner is member of the DOGS, Dad's of Great Students, at Twain Elementary School. Twain is blessed to have so many volunteers, yet Ty goes the extra miles. Starting when his daughter Kelcie was in kindergarten, he started being Mr. Fix It on campus. We were in search of a new tarp to cover the kinder sandbox and Ty found a volunteer to make the tarp. He lines the grass for special events, runs the intramurals program at lunch, and on the last Friday of every month, he collects all the donated plastic bottles, sometimes 1,000 or more, ties them up in a big tarp, and drives them to our recycling collector.  For years he has built the set for our Read Across America Plays, which later have been used by speech students to help them practice speaking while reenacting the stories.  Last year, to motivate the students to Read for 10 minutes every day in the month of March, he played Goldilocks and took down the house.  Now the kids call him Coach Goldie.  Most recently he took all the supplies out of our emergency bin, power scrubbed it, and fixed the shelving installed by Eagle Scouts many years back.  Ty is Twain’s Unsung Hero!" - Ellen Ryan, nominator

2012 PHOTOS: Long Beach Heroes | $16,000 awarded by Rudd's nonprofit C.A.T.