The Pecan Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross held their annual Everyday Heroes Celebration Dinner on Monday, March 28th at the Mabee Center at Howard Payne University. This Everyday Heroes fundraising event recognizes local residents who have made a real difference in the lives of the people around them.
Guest speaker for the event was Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes who told those in attendance that heroes can often be those right in our area.
“The dictionary defines heroes as a person who is admired for acts of courage in a time of crisis,” Haynes said. “But it also has this definition. Any person admired for qualities and achievement that are regarded as ideal or model.”
Haynes said that society needs the kind of heroes who will rush into a burning building, but also need the kind of people who are convicted to live a moral life.
“We have the unique opportunity in Brownwood Texas to actually impact lives, and we live in a community where there are actually opportunities for us to be true heroes,” Haynes said.
Those honored at the Heroes Dinner include:
Brittany Hannah Longoria – Recognized for Outstanding “Field” and Lifeguard Service. A 2010 graduate of Brownwood High School, Brittany is a certified lifeguard who helped rescue a 4-year-old from drowning last summer at Brownwood’s Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center. Thanks to Brittany and the other life guards, the young boy survived.
Jeannette Chesser – Recognized for Outstanding “Field” and Volunteer Service. Secretary for the Pecan Valley Red Cross board and an emergency responder. Jeannette is also a retired teacher.
Chester Land – Recognized for Outstanding “Field” and Volunteer Service. Chester is an emergency responder and works as a jailer at the Brown County Jail.
Leana Land – Recognized for Outstanding “Field” and Volunteer Service. She is president of the Pecan Valley Red Cross board and an emergency responder. She is a business computer information systems instructor at Havens Unit.
Minessa Mesic – She is a former Red Cross executive. Now working for Katherine Isbell and controller at AKL Wind Energy. She is a Red Cross Disaster Instructor, instructor humanitarian law, and instructor assistant coordinator for local citizen’s response team.
Angelina Deans – From Brady and is a Disaster Responder.
The Pecan Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Brown, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba Counties.
Pictured from left to right: Chester Land, Leana Land, Jeannette Chesser, and Brittany Hannah Longoria
