KNX Hero of the Week

Track meets, team building and tassles! We check in with L'Mio Edwards, who's in the middle of an exciting track season with Claremont High School. She's also building her non-profit "Team L'Mio" and the senior is getting ready for graduation! Hear the latest with Host Heather Jordan, by clicking the link! Connect at https://teamlmio.com Photo: L'Mio Edwards, courtesy of L'Mio Edwards

There are times in life when we need a strong support system. For some people, however, that can be hard to find. With a mission to make a difference, retired Superior Court Judge Songhai Armstead is leading the way with JCOD, the new Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department with LA County! The Los Angeles native is a longtime advocate for the underserved, and a justice system innovator, and she speaks with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan about their newest programs! Connect with JCOD at https://jcod.lacounty.gov Photo: Judge Songhai Armstead (left) at a recent community event. Photo courtesy of the Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department

Fighting hunger, preventing food waste and cultivating community! Former KNX Hero of the Week Natalie Flores-Blackner chats with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan about their new program called Fruity Fridays, that gives homeowners with fruit trees a way to donate their abundant produce! Natalie also talks about the incredible growth of Nourish LA, since beginning in an alleyway in 2020. Connect: https://www.nourish.la Photo: Courtesy of Ken Kerbs Photos

From Hawaii to the Hudson Bay, to the coast of Croatia... our KNX Hero of the Week is making a big statement, when it comes to keeping our oceans and waterways healthy! 18 year-old Edie Markovich of Los Angeles is the founder of Outswimming Hunger, and she's partnering with organizations that are making a difference in our communities! Hear her share her recent accomplishments with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan, by clicking on the link above. Photo: Edie Markovich, before her recent 12-hour swim at the ELAC swim stadium, to raise money for Heal The Bay. Photo courtesy of Glenn Zucman

Driver Austin Varco and his Race4Autism campaign is gearing up for an exciting 2024, kicking things off with Austin's debut at the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Series at Irwindale Speedway. Racing to the finish line with former KNX Heroes "Special Needz Coffee" as one of his sponsors, Austin is making a big impact in the ASD community! Hear the latest with our former hero by clicking the link above. Follow Austin and his Race4Autism events at: https://www.austinvarco.com/race4autism Photo: Austin Varco, courtesy of Ivan Velasco

A passion project for 13 year-old RJ Hermes is making a big impact on local shelter dogs and their future forever-families! The creative mind behind the "Operation Pawesomeness" campaign - RJ has collected over 350 items for our canine friends, like dog beds, collars, treats and more! Hear RJ share his story with KNX Hero's host Heather Jordan by clicking the link. Want to donate? Connect with RJ and Operation Pawesomeness at: https://www.gofundme.com/operation-pawesomeness Photo: RJ Hermes, with his "Operation Pawesomeness" campaign posters and boxes. Photo courtesy of Amy and Ben Hermes

A true example of bravery and heroism! When doctors at Keck Medicine of USC determined Saul Casillas and Kathya Rocha matched with each other's sibling who needed an organ transplant, they didn't hesitate to donate! Click the link to hear this incredible - and rare - journey of love, compassion and triumph! Photo: Jim Kim, MD, transplant surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC; Joselin Casillas; Kathya Rocha; Saul Casillas; Jaime Rocha Fernandez (left to right) Courtesy of Keck Medicine of USC

The Tesoro High School Junior is making a big difference in the SoCal community, inspiring young girls and teens with scoliosis! Brooke Walker knows how tough it can be during treatment or surgery, herself undergoing a multi-level back fusion two years ago. After her recovery, Brooke turned to mentorship and volunteering, and now leads the Orange County chapter of Curvy Girls, showing how you can stay powerful and strong through the challenges! Click the link to hear more about Brooke's incredible work and journey! Connect with Curvy Girls: https://www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com Photo: Brooke Walker, courtesy of Randee and Derek Walker

It's all about giving back to the community and changing the lives of young people, for Eric Horn! During the week he serves Los Angeles as a police officer, and on the weekends he inspires hundreds of kids with the NE Little League! Eric is not only a coach, he's the president of the league, helping provide a stable and positive environment for families all across the metro. Hear Eric chat about the league with KNX Heroes host Heather Jordan, by clicking the link! Photo: Eric Horn (right), and a colleague Photo courtesy of Eric Horn

Trauma can hold us back in many ways. As a way of healing from a horrific rape while in college, Summer Willis decided to conquer the darkness that surrounded that moment. At the age of 29, she bravely decided to make a stand, and raise her voice for herself and others. Her mission is to advocate for survivors of rape and raise funding for support and services, all while running 29 marathons in one year. For the LA Marathon on March 17th, Summer will finish the last mile in high heels, as a show of strength, power and beauty. She shared part of her story with KNX's Heather Jordan... click the link to hear her inspiring words. You can also connect with Summer, donate and support her marathon challenges, and get more of her inspiring story at https://strengththroughstrides.org Photo: Summer Willis and her two sons, along with the mattress she will put on her back while running 26.2 miles in New York City. Photo courtesy of Avery Moffitt

Benjamin Levy and his wife, Trang, were in the right place at the right time when a brush fire started burning next to some train tracks. Without hesitation, Benjamin flagged down an oncoming train, found a fire extinguisher and helped save the area until firefighters could arrive. Truly heroic actions! Listen to Benjamin tell the incredible story to KNX Heroes Host, Heather Jordan by clicking the link! Photo: Benjamin and Trang Levy See a photo from the scene at the Heroes page at KNXNews.com

Meet Katina Holliday! She's the CEO and founder of Holliday's Helping Hands, based in Carson, CA. It's an organization that improves the quality of life for disenfranchised individuals through love, faith and giving second chances. With seven locations and two more about to open, her non-profit is making a BIG difference in our SoCal community! Hear Katina chat with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan about their recent outreach event, called a Day of Love! https://hollidayshh.org Photo: Katina Holliday during the recent Day of Love event with HHH. Courtesy of Lonnie Neal

The Jessie Rees Foundation is supporting families fighting childhood cancer all around the world! Based in Orange County, the non-profit's mission is to never, ever give up - or the term “NEGU®” - which was young Jessie's motto as she courageously battled terminal cancer. After she passed in early 2012, her family continued her legacy and the foundation, touching hundreds of thousands of lives. Jessie's daddy and the foundation's CEO, Erik Rees chats with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan about Jessie's story and how her love continues to impact the world today! https://negu.org Photo: Jessie Rees, filling her JoyJars® Photo Courtesy of the Jessie Rees Foundation, and Troy Tertany

Santa Margarita High School senior Rachel Phillips is changing the lives of young people with Down syndrome, through her volunteer work and leadership! She's involved in programs with the National Association of Down Syndrome and Gigi's Playhouse, and she's also the creator of the SMHS club "Buddies Beyond Boundaries". Hear Rachel chat about it with KNX Heroes host, Heather Jordan! Photo: Rachel Phillips (courtesy of Rachel Phillips)

Quick action, quick thinking and not giving up! Site foreman Chris Goetze saved the life of contractor Larry Brown, after an accident on the job. Hear Chris and Larry share their inspiring story with KNX Heroes host, Heather Jordan! Photo: Chris Goetze, VP of MG Plumbing, and private contractor Larry Brown Photo courtesy of Chris Goetze