Hermosa Beach hands out its Unsung Hero awards
The annual Fiesta Hermosa Local honored a group of community dogooders last week with the inaugural Unsung Hero Awards for Outstanding Community Service.
The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the Labor Day weekend festival, handed out the awards during a community kickoff party for Fiesta Hermosa Locale on Sept. 3.
The awards, with input from the community, were handed out in various categories to both individuals and organizations who have worked to improve the lives of others.
In the sports category, Jeff Miller was honored for his years volunteering for the Hermosa Beach Little League, including the past two years as president.
Kina Desai was honored in the teen category for starting the nonprofit Draws For A Cause, which donates underwear to children in need in Central America.
Ann Yang, Hermosa
Beach’s executive assistant to the office of the city manager, was honored in the city category.
Jose and Katrina Bacallao, along with their children Izzy and SaraJane, were named a Family of unsung heroes for their work with environmental groups, fighting oil drilling in the city, and helping lead the campaign to turn a lifeguard tower rainbow colors for Pride Month, among other charitable work.
Higher Grounds Management, which helps families cope with adolescents with addiction or other issues and was founded by Tynan Mason and Mike Beiras, was named a business unsung hero. Higher Grounds mentors Nick Salvemini and Shelby Tomlinson were named unsung heroes in the adult category.
Carol Reid Kluthe was honored in the education category for supporting the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation for nearly 10 years.