We are lucky to be part of a community brimming with unsung heroes who go above and beyond to make a difference every day. Whether it’s a friendly crossing guard, a tireless nurse, a brave team of first responders, a devoted teacher, or simply a cheerful neighbor who quietly shovels snow for the neighborhood, these people exemplify what it means to be a hero in everyday life — and they deserve recognition!
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Live Nation to launch Hometown Heroes — a program that recognizes exceptional individuals in our community at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. The best part? The program is based on nominations of your friends and neighbors doing remarkable things! We’re inspired by the wonderful caliber of people in our community, and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements with you.
Hometown heroes will be thanked with a night out at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre:
Date TBD
Now Accepting Nominations
Date TBD
Now Accepting Nominations
We define a Hometown Hero as anyone who goes out of their way to do good in the community without asking for anything in return — especially when they think nobody will notice them. These people make Utah a better place, whether in simple acts of kindness or larger acts of service.
Does someone in your life embody what it means to be a Hometown Hero? Nominating them is simple. Just complete the submission form below with information about yourself and your nominee before the submission deadlines noted above. Feel free to nominate as many people as you feel are deserving!
The form users fill out on the Hometown Hero landing page.
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Richard Dooley
Richard Dooley’s generosity knows no bounds, making an impact in our community by fixing up bikes that he has found and donating them to foster children and foster families in need. He spends his time and talents fixing the bikes and then makes sure the bike is a good fit for the child or adult.
Last year he was able to give away over 90 bikes and is on track to do that many this year if not more. The joy he brings to those children and families is immeasurable, and we are so proud to call him a Hometwon Hero.
Joanna Richins
Jo Richins is the principal at Mueller Park Junior High in Bountiful, Utah. She loves the junior high kids and has a great way of building a relationship with them. She advocates for both her students and her teachers. When bussing issues meant students were being brought to school late on an overcrowded bus, she fought for and was able to get an extra bus route – going as far as riding the bus with students to understand the issues bus drivers and students are faced with. Principal Richins has even been known to brave the elements and step in as a crossing guard! We’re excited to be able to recognize Joanna’s incredible dedication to making our kids successful and feel safe at school.
Ninzel Rasmuson
Ninzel is continually and tirelessly serving in the community and state at large. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Honor365, a wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and remembering veterans, first responders, and their families. She recently was the Commander for the State of Utah for the American Legion, which was all volunteer.
Despite her busy schedule she always makes time for her family and friends. Ninzel has been a pillar in her community with her compassion and stellar leadership skills.
McKenzie Johnson
In addition to her tireless work as a nurse and devoted mother, McKenzie extends her reach of kindness and support to her church and community, embodying the true essence of altruism. With boundless generosity, she volunteers countless hours to various initiatives, often focusing on youth activities where she can make a meaningful impact on the next generation.
Whether it’s organizing events, leading youth groups, or simply offering a listening ear and words of encouragement, she dedicates herself wholeheartedly to nurturing young minds. Her presence in these endeavors not only enriches the lives of those she interacts with but also serves as a guiding light for those navigating the complexities of adolescence.
Brandy Vega
After serving in the United States Army and a noteworthy career in journalism and public affairs, Brandy founded Good Deed Revolution, a nonprofit organization that has helped hundreds of people by promoting kindness and good deeds through and online community platform. Her advocacy also extends to mental health and suicide prevention, driven by her personal experiences with her daughters’ struggles. She has been open about their challenges and is launching a suicide prevention and mental health series to address this critical issue. An all-around good person, Brandy is also a self-defense instructor, served as a surrogate for strangers, and she adopted a baby. Brandy truly embodies the spirit of a Hometown Hero, continually striving to make Utah and the world a better place.
Erica Fryer
Mrs. Fryer, is a first and second-grade teacher at Robert Frist Elementary School, and one of the best teachers in the state. Her dedication to her students is unparalleled. She spends countless hours preparing her classroom with the tools and resources her students need to succeed in their educational goals. She understands that every child is unique, and she tailors her teaching style to meet the needs of each individual student. Her students love her because she is not just their teacher, but also a mentor, friend, and role model. She inspires them to dream big and teaches them to work hard to achieve their goals. She sacrifices so much for her students, and her hard work and commitment never goes unnoticed by her colleagues, students, and their parents.
Ron Macintosh
Ron started a non-profit that takes Combat Veterans on guided hunts. He tirelessly raises the funds to provide them with gear, flights, room, food, tags & fun – all at no cost, as a thank you for their service. While Veterans are chosen from all over the USA, each year Ron will choose one to two Utah Veterans to honor. He wants to give back to our local Heroes that you may not even know have sacrificed for our freedoms. This year while hunting with two Veterans in Kansas, Ron severely injured his leg. He postponed the necessary surgery to make sure he did not have to cancel his next trip, taking a Utah Veteran to Green River for a once in a lifetime, all-paid-for Turkey hunt. Pushing through the pain, Ron was able to create an unforgettable hunt for this hero and he bagged his first ever Turkey! Ron does not seek accolades for his dedication and hard work, his joy comes in seeing the faces of the Veterans, the brotherhood they all create, and knowing he’s giving back to those who have given so much to all of us.
Mikel Archibeque
Mikel has devoted his entire life to our country and our local Utah communities. He served eight years in the US Army, fourteen for local police departments, and after all that, is now serving Veterans at the Salt Lake VA. While in the police force, he worked with the Metro Mental Health Unit, helping local people at their absolute rock bottom worst moments. It is almost impossible to calculate the enormous amount of good this human has done for people, given all of ways he has served us, but let’s just say it’s vast and enormous, and he deserves to be appreciated, remembered and recognized. Mikel is an outstanding example of what it means to be a Hometown Hero and we’re so honored to be able to get him a little bit of the recognition he deserves.