Family, friends, most of the Peoria City Council and members of the community came out to pay their respects to those hard working Heroes who have made Peoria a great place, many who have dedicated decades to the community and made it what it is today.
Mayor Cathy Carlat spoke and Independent Newsmedia President and CEO Charlene Bisson opened the event.
Video interviews of the Heroes were produced by members of the city’s communications team and shown at the event.
Peoria Independent News Editor Philip Haldiman presented the awards to the 12 Heroes.
“The well of amazing people in Peoria is deep and this event only barely touches the surface,” he said. “We look forward to seeing this event into the future because there are still yet many people doing great things for this city.”
Hometown Hero recipients and their category:
• Dean Slack, Lifetime Achievement;
• William Babb, Mentor/Coach;
• Ken Parsons, Community Cheerleader;
• Jeff Sears, Trailblazer;
• Crystal Bond, Leader of Tomorrow;
• Jennifer Cheesman, Educator;
• Cindy Humes, Spiritual;
• Olga Tipton-Tucker, Veteran;
• Kimberly Muhammas, Volunteer;
• Rosalina Vilar, Health Care;
• Capt. Hunter Clare, First Responders;
• Troy Borman, Entrepreneur.
Special thanks to sponsors Moore Graphics, Touchdown Sports, Sanderson Ford and Dillon’s Kansas City BBQ, who provided lunch for the event.
Independent Newsmedia is the publisher of 14 community newspapers, Sun Life Magazine and YourValley.net.
