Inland Empire Heroes Awards 2026: Honoring Local Courage

Honorees and notable recognitions

The Red Cross announced a slate of 2026 honorees representing first responders, volunteers, nonprofits and community members from across the Inland Empire. The full list and award categories are drawn from the Red Cross press release.

Award winners and summaries

• Animal Welfare Hero Award: CALFIRE Division Chief John Crater, Temecula. Recognized for rescuing a dog during the September 2024 Airport Fire, which scorched more than 23,000 acres and damaged or destroyed nearly 200 structures in Orange and Riverside counties.
• Corporate Hero Award: Fresh Up, Rancho Cucamonga. A four-year Red Cross partner that donated more than $250,000 in WingStop meal voucher cards, used to encourage blood donations across San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
• Disaster Services Hero Award: Frank Kams, San Bernardino.
• First Responder Hero Awards: Deputy Christopher Cherms and Deputy Shawn Owens of Victorville, honored for their response to a December 2025 house fire; and Deputy Fire Chief Gregory Lyle of Palm Springs.
• Gift of Life Hero Award: Captain Gustavo Araiza, Palm Springs.
• Good Samaritan Hero Award: Freddy Aguirre, San Bernardino.
• Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award: Brian Barber, Victorville. Barber, a Marine Corps veteran, founded Mission FISH (Fishing, Interacting, Sharing & Healing) in 2015; the nonprofit has served more than 5,000 participants with recreational fishing therapy for veterans, first responders and Gold Star families.
• Youth Hero Award: Carter Sliney, 13, Yucaipa. Recognized for creating and delivering handmade cards to local senior centers through the Smiles 4 Seniors initiative.

Source: Red Cross press release

Event logistics and sponsorship

The Inland Empire Heroes Awards functions both as a recognition program and a fundraising luncheon. Registration opens at 11 a.m., the program begins at noon and the event concludes by about 1:30 p.m. Attendees may purchase individual tickets or select sponsorship packages; nominations for future honorees are accepted year-round via the event page.

Key sponsors include: Hometown Hero Sponsor Circle K; Regional Sponsor U.S. Bank; Presenting Sponsor Sysco Riverside; and Community Sponsors such as Altura Credit Union, DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, IAPMO, Inland Empire Business Journal, JJ Roofing, Ed Monie, the Ontario Convention Center and San Antonio Regional Hospital.

Background and purpose

The Inland Empire Heroes Awards grew from local Red Cross efforts to spotlight neighbors who respond to crises and meet community needs with bravery and service. The program highlights actions ranging from life-saving rescues to corporate partnerships that support blood drives, and it raises funds and awareness for Red Cross preparedness and disaster response in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

What this year’s honorees reveal

Collectively, the 2026 honorees underscore several regional themes:

• Fire impacts: Wildland and structure fires remain a major public-safety challenge.
• First-responder roles: Life-or-death actions by deputies and fire chiefs highlight frontline risks and training.
• Veteran-led programs: Initiatives like Mission FISH show the mental-health benefits of community-based recreation and peer support.
• Corporate civic action: Business partnerships — for example, Fresh Up’s donations that supported blood drives — can have practical public-health effects.
• Volunteer breadth: Honorees range from a 13-year-old volunteer to long-standing nonprofit founders, illustrating cross-generational civic engagement.

How honorees are selected

The Red Cross accepts nominations for the Inland Empire Heroes Awards year-round. Nomination details and criteria are posted on the event page. Selections consider acts of courage, humanitarian service and community impact.

Voices from Red Cross leadership

“Not all heroes wear capes — many of them are our friends and neighbors right here in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties,” said Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Riverside County.

“Thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors, we are able to honor remarkable heroes from across the Inland Empire and strengthen our ability to deliver vital Red Cross services when our communities need them most,” added Yevette Baysinger, Executive Director of the Red Cross of San Bernardino County.

Investigative note: transparency and community oversight

The Red Cross publishes nomination guidance and lists sponsors and honorees in press materials to aid public verification. Readers interested in transparency can review award criteria and sponsor roles at redcross.org/IEHeroes (event page) and the press release. The event’s public profile invites community questions about sponsor roles and public accountability for first responders and nonprofits.

Implications for the Inland Empire

Economic impact: The luncheon brings revenue to Ontario and supports local vendors, hotels and the convention center. Sponsors underwrite event costs and help fund Red Cross emergency programs.

Political and civic consequences: Public recognition of first responders and veterans can shape priorities around disaster preparedness, veteran support and public-health campaigns.

Social and cultural effects: Honoring a 13-year-old volunteer alongside career first responders highlights a culture of service that spans ages and backgrounds, reinforcing local civic norms.

Practical actions for residents

Residents can:

• Nominate local heroes year-round via the event page.
• Attend the luncheon or support Red Cross programs through tickets and sponsorships.
• Consider corporate partnerships to support public-health needs, following Fresh Up’s example.

For more information

Details on tickets, sponsorships and nominations are posted on the Red Cross event page and in the press release.