NONPROFIT NEWS: Hometown Heroes honored during benefit for NAMI Marion County

From left are Hometown Heroes honorees Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Josue Rivera, Ocala Fire Department firefighter Jackie Nettles, Ocala Police Department officer Dalton Ower, Marion County Fire Rescue’s Lance Long and OPD Lt. Eric Hooper, who received a lifetime achievement award. [Photo courtesy Hiers-Baxley]

The 7^th annual Hometown Heroes Gala Hometown Heroes, which was a fundraiser for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Marion County, was hosted by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services on Sept. 5, at the Circle Square Cultural Center.

More than 100 first responders from Marion, Sumter, Levy, Lake, Alachua, Citrus, Putnam and Gilchrist counties, along with cities of Ocala, Williston, Belleview and Dunnellon, were honored.

The leadership of each department and local hospitals were invited to nominate three people to be recognized for outstanding service in the community and those whose actions saved a life. This year, the K9 award was renamed in memory of K9 Leo, who gave his life saving his handler in a tragic event in February. Leo was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest agency award that can be presented at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano welcomed attendees. The keynote speaker was Judge Leann Mackey Barnes. Carali McLean, director of NAMI Florida, also addressed the gathering.

In addition to numerous awards being given, a lifetime achievement honor was presented to the Ocala Police Department’s Lt. Eric Hooper, with the Charlie Caulk Memorial Scholarship awards presented to aspiring first responders Grayson Chandler and Khary Alexander.

To learn more about the local nonprofit NAMI affiliate, go to namimarioncountyfl.org

On stage during the Hometown Heroes event is Leena Williams of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, which was the presenting sponsor. [Photo courtesy Hiers-Baxley]