The Butte/Glenn Three Rivers Chapter once again held their annual Real Heroes Black Tie Dinner at the Chico State Bell Memorial Union, Saturday, May 16 honoring those who have helped the community during the past year.

The dinner honored “everyday people with extraordinary courage” and the proceeded went to disaster relief programs of the Three River Red Cross Chapter.  

Each hero honored was nominated under a separate category: good Samaritan-youth hero, mother-daughter community volunteers, fire rescue hero and community volunteer. Each hero was nominated by a member of the community who found the hero worthy of praise. 

“My mother and I were nominated because we go around to different organizations and tell them how important it is to donate blood,” said 11 year old Brennah Payne.

At the age of seven, Brennah Payne became a victim of a horrible car accident that hospitalized her for six months.  She credits all the people who donated her blood type in the months preceding her accident to saving her life.

The evening also focused a large portion of the evening towards the men and women who helped the citizens escape the wild fires of the summer of 2008. 

As guests arrived a projector exhibited pictures of signs found throughout Chico thanking firefighters for saving the community from the summer fires. 

The program began with the Airspace Honor Guard presenting the US flag for the National Emblem. 

The master of ceremonies, Tony DeLuca, then welcomed guests and addressed the purpose of the night’s event.

“We’re surrounded by heroes everyday,” said DeLuca

He continued to discuss the importance of recognizing the people who help us everyday.   

“Last year 4900 firefighters came to the community to a help. They came as far as Australia, most did not even know where Chico was but they came to help. Too often we recognize those who do wrong, its fun to recognize for at least one night who do right,” said DeLuca.

The Heroes Award Presentation began with the “Good Samaritan-Youth” honoring Jared Schmidt, a senior at Willows High.

Schmidt came to the rescue of a woman who was hit by a car when she crossed an intersection.  Schmidt preformed CPR on the woman and assisted a nurse who saw the accident until the paramedics arrived.

“So often we don’t see youth stepping up. It’s a wonderful thing when they can take charge in an accident,” said William Spears, nominator and Willows Chief of Police.

Next the Mother-Daughter Community Volunteer Hero was awarded.

Brennah and Heather Payne were given the award for being an avid supporter of BloodSource. Brennah and her mother have been credited to have brought in over 1,300 blood donors in the past three years.

“I feel like the real heroes are the blood donors who gave me my life,” said Payne.

After the Payne family, the Fire Rescue Hero Award was given. 

Joshpae White was one of the many firefighters who fought the blazes during the summer of 2008. While working at Indian Springs in Paradise, he helped three firefighters escape the encroaching fire by driving his fire engine through the fire to safety.  He had been credited for saving the lives of the three firefighters. 

“I don’t really feel like a hero. I think anyone would have done the same thing. I was just in the wrong place at the right time,” said White.

The final hero nominated and awarded for the evening was Marie Fickert who received the Community Volunteer Award. 

Fickert contributed largely to the success of the firefighters in the 2008 fires that affected the local community.  Fickert is a public information officer who directed the firefighters to the locations that needed the most attention. Fickert also assisted the Red Cross and volunteers in the formation of shelters for the victims of the fires.

“I have two families. I have my real family and then I am blessed to have my firefighter family,” said Fickert.

The awards concluded with one final man was honored for the evening.  Ralph Greene was awarded for his time and dedication to the Red Cross.  At the age of 32, Greene began to work for the Red Cross and has continued for 63 years. 

“I thank all of you because you are my family, you are the Red Cross.  I hope everyone would enjoy working with the Red Cross. They will find it very rewarding,” said Greene. 

The award presentation concluded with a video tribute to the victims of the 2008 fires and the firefighters who rescued them.

The Red Cross was happy with the night’s attendance and look forward to another year full of local heroes,