During this year’s virtual Red Cross Real Heroes Awards Breakfast, held on Sept. 25, San Diego Gas & Electric was honored to showcase a video highlighting our partnership and long-standing commitment to collaboration with the Red Cross, as well as support the organization by being a Hometown Hero sponsor.

“It’s so important to have a corporation that really cares about the community and is focused on making sure that the community is ready to go,” said Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO at American Red Cross Southern California. “I think SDG&E and the American Red Cross are going to be working together for years to come to make sure that this is the most prepared community in the country.”

For the first time in 18 years, due to the current public health crisis, the Red Cross was unable to host the annual event in-person. Instead, they honored the 2020 class of heroes in their first-ever virtual Real Heroes Awards ceremony.

Paying tribute to community heroes

At the virtual Breakfast, SDG&E helped put the spotlight on honorees who embody the mission and spirit of the Red Cross by saving lives and creating safer, stronger and more resilient communities.

Our Interim Chief Operating Officer David Geier presented the Youth Good Samaritan Award to Nolan Mejia who is the founder of Grocery Grab, a program that aims to help senior citizens and at-risk groups in need during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The Grocery Grab team, made up of high school students in the community, shops for and delivers groceries to the doorsteps of those in need. Grocery Grab is a free service, and any donations or “tips” are given back to the community through the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

To learn more about Nolan and other honorees, click here.

In an effort to help prepare the San Diego region for human emergencies and disasters, SDG&E funds the American Red Cross’ Prepare San Diego program, which provides resources to help people develop family disaster plans and create emergency kits.