The American Red Cross of Orange County hosted its annual awards ceremony at the historic City National Grove of Anaheim on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Written by Anna Tran, American Red Cross volunteer

Through the historic City National Grove of Anaheim and beneath the lofty palm trees, the eighth annual American Red Cross Orange County Heroes Awards ceremony filled the venue with good times and high spirits. The room was filled with excitement and gratitude as the Red Cross honored local heroes who have put forth their courage and selflessness and embodied the Red Cross mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering wherever it may be found.

Kicking off the lively event was KTLA’s Chip Yost, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Chip presented awards to incredibly deserving and outstanding local citizens, including:

Equine Herd at The Shea Center, Animal Welfare Hero Award

An unmatched energy filled the room as Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing and Waterproofing, presented the Animal Welfare Hero Award to the equine herd at The Shea Center, a non-profit located in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, the Humanitarian Sponsor of the 2024 Orange County Heroes Awards, is a longtime supporter of the American Red Cross, donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief and volunteering to support local programs.

The Shea Center is dedicated to serving those with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs, including physical and occupational therapy for those with disabilities, military veterans who have been exposed to trauma, and others in need. The Shea Center provides transformative healing and reminds us that heroes come in all forms—sometimes with hooves!

“I don’t think we’re heroes,” Adaptive Riding Instructor Development Manager Shari Masline said. “I think we get to work with heroes.”

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., Corporate Hero Award

Because of corporate sponsorships, organizations like the American Red Cross can serve a broader audience both locally and beyond. The generosity of companies such as Kingston Technology Company, Inc. of Fountain Valley, Calif. has allowed the Red Cross to make a more significant impact with their gift-matching initiatives, which included a gift of over $25,000. Additionally, Kingston Technology, Inc. has hosted Red Cross blood drives and provided employees with valuable skills such as Red Cross CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and First Aid training, providing opportunities for everyday individuals to acquire the skills necessary to step into heroic roles.

The Corporate Hero Award was presented by Tere Segarra, Vice President of Pacific Life Foundation. Accepting the award on behalf of Kingston Technology Company, Inc. was Janet Marlow, Employee Engagement Specialist at Kingston.

“I think it’s important for all corporations not just to give money, but also give your time and see what else you can do because you’ve got lots of employees that can probably donate blood and make a really big difference for the American Red Cross,” said Wing Lam, Co-Founder of Wahoo’s Tacos, another corporate supporter of the Red Cross.

Amanda Hildebrand, Gift of Life Hero Award

Laura Nguyen, American Red Cross of Orange County Board member and Co-Chair of the Red Cross Mission Impact Committee, presented Amanda Hildebrand with the Gift of Life Hero Award in recognition of her ongoing dedication to donating blood for over 18 years. Amanda’s roots of inspiration were influenced by her own mother. As a child, Amanda had fond memories of accompanying her mother as she donated blood regularly for decades. Amanda’s efforts, like those of other blood and platelet donors, help saves lives. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Heroes like Amanda help patients of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and those battling cancer. As of April 24, 2024, Amanda has donated eight gallons of blood to the American Red Cross.

After Amanda received her award, the audience was reminded that it’s the blood that is donated and ready on the shelves that allows the organization to help save lives during an emergency.

“While no one can predict when an accident might happen, donations can help hospitals stay prepared and stocked with products,” said Chip. “Donors are encouraged to be someone’s lifesaver.”

Dan Lam, Disaster Services Hero Award

A friendly and familiar face in our Orange County chapter’s Disaster Action Team (DAT), Dan Lam was recognized with the Gift of Life Hero presented by Tara Kasmarek, Vice President of Operations at UCI Health.

Dan’s arduous journey to the states after fleeing the Vietnam War by foot to Cambodia, then Thailand for three months through a jungle, left an indelible mark on him. Dan sought refuge at a Red Cross refugee camp for nearly a year, and eventually made is safety to the United States. Later in life, because of the significant impact of the Red Cross on his journey, Dan became a volunteer with the Red Cross of Orange County. His role with the DAT team since 2008 has allowed him to pay it forward, having responded to countless disasters in Orange County and helping people in their times of need. Dan’s excitement is infectious, as is his passion for supporting others, just as he was once supported.

“Dan’s absolutely a real hero,” American Red Cross of Orange County Board Chair Shishir Shah said. “I think there is a lot of kindness. Whatever he receives, he always wants to give it back.”

Derrick Ankerstar, Kevin Estrada and Megan Matchett, Orange County Parks, First Responder Hero Award

Presented by Chris Venhoff, Senior Vice President with U.S. Bank in Orange County, the First Responder Hero Award was given to a deserving group of individuals whose dedication to serving the community was highlighted during a Nowruz event at the William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine, Calif. on April 2, 2024. OC Parks Park Ranger II Megan Matchett responded to a distressing call about a man who had collapsed, with lips turning blue. While administering CPR on the man, her colleagues OC Parks Supervising Park Ranger II Derrick Ankerstar and OC Parks Supervising Park Ranger I Kevin Estrada came to her prompt assistance and gave additional rescue breaths and AED administration until the Orange County Fire Authority arrived at the scene. The thorough training and immediate action taken by the three OC park rangers helped save the man’s life. Those in the audience could not only see, but feel the determination and pride that Ankerstar, Estrada,and Matchett carried with them on stage as they received the First Responder Hero Award.

“It’s always a great feeling knowing that you saved somebody’s life,” Estrada said. “Blessing that Megan, Derrick and I were there. Just a blessing that God did what he did.”

Olivia Clay, Youth Hero Award

Courage does not discriminate, because you can be a hero at any age.

Seven-year-old Olivia Clay demonstrated quick reflexes when she and her two-year-old cousin Paisley were chasing their family dog in the backyard. Paisley accidentally fell into the pool, pulling Olivia in with her. Olivia's loud cry for help as she attempted to rescue her cousin caught the attention of Paisley's mother, who then jumped into the pool to save both children.

It was a roaring round of applause for Olivia as she made her way to the stage to accept the Youth Hero Award, presented by Jennifer Dentino, Technical Director, Corporate Compliance with Nationwide. Olivia was accompanied on stage by Fountain Valley Fire Department Fire Chief Bill McQuaid. It is young spirits like Olivia that challenge our perception of what a hero traditionally looks like. Without a cape or a suit, she found the strength from within to persevere through such a terrifying near-drowning experience.

“She saved Paisley,” Olivia’s mother Christina Clay said. “She saved our family from losing Paisley. I’m really happy that she was honored today and recognized for what she did.”

Connie Mesta, Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award

Connie Mesta is a leader in overseeing an array of responsibilities with holiday program at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, which focuses on giving back to the military community.  As a U.S. Army veteran, having retired in 2016, she understands first-hand the challenges faced by the military community, especially the uncertainties of deployment for military families and children. Connie received the Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award for her consistent efforts in organizing a special holiday event each year to honor those who have served our country, ensuring that military families can enjoy the holidays, provide gifts for their children and make spirits bright. Last year, the holiday program supported more than 90 military families.

One of Connie’s expressions rang true throughout the event. “Give what you can, because you’re fortunate,” she said.

As the event concluded, heroes received a final round of applause from the audience, who undoubtedly left the event feeling inspired by the stories of this year’s honorees. The event was a resounding success, bringing together over 270 attendees and raising over $158,000 to support the mission of the Red Cross, reminding us that our community is driven by people who care.

Nominations are accepted year-round for the Orange County Heroes Awards. For more information, or to nominate a hero, visit redcross.org/OCHeroes.