VIDEO: Continuing the spirit of outreach in Peoria
Heath named Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the volunteer category
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How to nominate
Know somebody in Peoria who should be recognized as a Hometown Hero? Here is how to do it.
Email: Send your nomination to aznews@newszap.com, or fill out this nomination form yourvalley.net/hh-nomination/index.html.
After that: the nomination will be reviewed, and monthly winners will be selected based on their community contributions. Nominations should include name, email address and phone number along with the category of nomination, some details about the person being nominated and what accomplishments they have done.
Categories left to nominate
• Lifetime Achievement: Long standing community member who has consistently stepped forward and exemplified a passion for giving back to the Peoria community within any category.
• Veteran: Former military person who continues to serve within the community.
• Educator: Teacher who has inspired students beyond their own learning expectation.
• Mentor/Coach: Person who works with, and is a role model, for our younger community.
• Spiritual: A spiritual leader who displays their own good and unlocks the potential in others.
• Entrepreneur: An individual who launches an idea into a new business and serves the community.
Peoria resident Mike Heath came to know the spirit of outreach as a boy watching his father, Charles, who owned and operated a Standard Oil/Chevron gas station, donate his free time to several organizations and help people with advice on car repairs.
Charles worked for numerous companies providing his craft and was very involved with the Arizona Trucking Association.
Later in life, Charles was busy with the church he attended and close friends.
Even after working long hours and traveling all over the state, Charles was invigorated with the dedication he provided to help others, his son said.
“He would put tires on a crazy ride that was moved from school to school for the grade school carnivals. It seemed when they arrived at our school, tires were needed and he was the one that made it happen,” Mike said. “I’ve seen the appreciation and betterments from his efforts and always wanted to be a part of that.”
The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree — today Mike Heath is a Fleet Design Specialist with Salt River Project, and over the years, has donated countless hours to various committees at the city of Peoria, Peoria Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and numerous officer positions for nonprofits. He is the current president of the Wickenburg Area Habitat for Humanity and a volunteer for Benevilla.
Heath said that working to help support and improve the ongoing improvements and enhancements to the community is exciting and rewarding for himself, current and future residents, as well as businesses.
“It is very important to be involved. If you are not, you don’t know or realize what difference you could make in your own backyard. When you find a way to help, the internal rewards you receive will only get you hooked for the next cause or improvement you can be involved in,” he said. “I only hope the community is better because I was able to help in some way.”
For his efforts, Mike Heath has been named the Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the volunteer category.
The Hometown Hero Awards are a celebration of individuals who live or teach in the city, and Peoria businesses for their local achievements and distinguished contributions to the community.
Heath will be honored at an awards luncheon next year.
In partnership with the city of Peoria, he will be interviewed by the city and aired on Channel 11.
Volunteers are an important part of Peoria’s workforce. They contribute not only significant efforts to the city’s operations but are also part of decisions that affect all residents.
The city’s volunteer program can provide a rewarding experience to citizens with a desire to share their time and talents to better serve the community.
Additional city committees Heath has served on include the Charter Review Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission. He is currently a member of the Bond Authority Committee and Design Review Board.
Councilmember Vicki Hunt said Peoria is fortunate to have a large cadre of volunteers who help move the city forward, in both small and large ways.
One can never doubt the contribution they make, she said.
“But among all the wonderful folks who volunteer, one stands out from all the others. Mike Heath has a lifetime history of helping in both large and small ways. He is the first one to call if you need help with a project or representation on a committee. You can be sure that he will fulfill his responsibility completely and thoughtfully,” Hunt said. “In Mike’s case, his volunteering takes many forms, from getting his hands dirty cleaning out riverbeds, to the soft care of purchasing groceries weekly for a shut-in and staying long enough to understand her mail and pay her bills. This visit might be done on the way to a city council meeting at which he can always be counted on to be present.”
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
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