On August 27, 2020, Kyla Davis of Skokie, the 2021 Lifesaving Rescue Hero Award recipient, had just finished her night shift as a hospital operator when she saw a woman screaming for help while a man held a knife to her neck. Kyla immediately made her presence known by yelling at the man to stop. While walking towards them, the man flashed the […]
On August 30, 2020, Officer Marseilla Collins, the 2021 Law Enforcement Hero recipient, had been on the job with the Chicago Police Department for only seven days when she responded to a shooting of several individuals in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. Upon arrival, Officer Collins jumped into action and provided care to several individuals until paramedics arrived. The calmness, quick-thinking and […]
This Veteran’s Day, the American Red Cross of Illinois is proud to honor veteran armed forces members for their bravery and service. Akbar Arsiwala, a U.S. Navy veteran is the recipient of the 2021 Military Hero Award. When he learned that the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center was forced to close its food pantry due to the pandemic, Akbar sprang […]
In the summer of 2018, 2021 Firefighter Hero Award recipient Quention Curtis, who is a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department, founded the Black Fire Brigade. It was a response to inner city crime, which impedes the future of young people in our city and disproportionately affects Black communities. The non-profit organization provides assistance with tuition for young […]
As a professional mentor with Friends of the Children, Phalon Carpenter works with second and third graders facing high levels of adversity. She is committed to mentoring this group of students from kindergarten through high school. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Phalon has broken boundaries to make sure her mentees don’t fall behind as school has gone virtual. She trained students’ caregivers and […]
