KNX Hero of the Week

From fashion to friendship - Melanie Lewis is a person you want on your side! Her positivity radiates in everything she does, especially in her work with The Pink Journey Foundation!

Meet Arden Pala of Sports4Kids! Our KNX Hero of the Week is making a big impact with his non-profit, which provides free sports clinics for schools that can't afford sports programs! Photo: Arden Pala, courtesy of Sports4Kids Connect at http://www.sports4.org

Anne Minder is inspiring kids through the science of flight! She’s a leader with years of corporate training experience, a tireless volunteer, and she’s very passionate about STEM! Click the link above to hear Anne chat with KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan, about a special STEM Day program hosted by the Torrance Airport, for local high school students! Photo: A recent STEM Day at the Torrance Airpo...

Meet our incredibly talented KNX Heroes of the Week! 17 year-old Saara Dang and 16 year-old Rohan Soni have created a special space for kids dealing with chronic and mental illness. Inspired by Saara’s younger brother, who was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease, the Orange County high school students created a documentary film that highlights the challenges kids with illness may face. Then th...

Jenna Grabow and her soon to be sister-in-law, Anna Lundmark, are changing the landscape when it comes to employment for people with autism! After struggling to find a job post-graduation, Jenna teamed up with Anna to create their own company. It’s called “Beauty by Jenna” and one of their missions is to hire dozens of skilled and talented people who are also differently-abled. Hear Jenna and Anna...

This summer, 18 year-old Kai Yamamoto of Long Beach was named a recipient of the nationwide 2024 Girl Scout Gold Award, for her incredible educational project! It's aimed at at building an anti-racist future and developing more respect and empathy for those of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. The project was so impressive, California State University-Long Beach now offers it as a free...

Mike Learakos is a former restaurateur with over 30 years in the food industry, and a long-time volunteer supporting thousands of people across SoCal. Mike is also the CEO of Abound Food Care based in Orange County, and his team works hard to eliminate food waste! September is Hunger Action Month, so Mike tells KNX Heroes Host Heather Jordan that now is the time to lend a hand!  Photo: Mike Learak...

Leading her community with leaps and bounds, Chloe Gruenberg is not your typical high school student! She’s an accomplished ballerina, she teaches technique to young students in Orange County, and she’s also a dedicated volunteer with over 300 hundred of hours of service! She's involved with RAD, Special Camp and so much more... click the link to hear Chloe chat with KNX Heroes Host, Heather Jorda...

It's one of the toughest things in life - transitioning onto a new path. For many members of the military, it can be extremely overwhelming when searching for the right career after years of service. So, this is where Adam Van Dyke steps in to help. And it's not just simple guidance - he volunteers his time, making sure his clients are set on the right path that's fulfilling and respectful of thei...

https://www.beyondblindness.org/ Photo: Angie Rowe, CEO of Beyond Blindness (center) Photo Courtesy of Noel Besuzzi

Photo: Bill Bracken, courtesy of Bracken's Kitchen Connect at https://www.brackenskitchen.org

FixNation is a non-profit clinic in LA County that offers free spay and neuter services to the thousands of homeless, stray, and community cats across the metro. They also provide additional services, community support and low-cost options for people with pets. Founded by local cat-lovers Karn Myers and her late husband Mark Dodge. Click the link to hear Karn share some of their incredible story!...

Addie Matthews of Mission Viejo is impacting lives in a big way! A year ago, she volunteered as a camp counselor for https://radcamp.org , a SoCal non-profit that offers camps for kids and adults who are differently-abled, or have special needs. This year, Addie decided that she would not only volunteer again, but she would fundraise and help pay the way for as many campers as possible! Click the...

Spreading kindness and compassion, while nurturing a community! Through the non-profit https://www.cropswapla.org,  founder Jamiah Hargins is helping fight food insecurity across SoCal and the world! He's inspiring urban gardeners, creating access for affordable, nutrient-rich food... and motivating our youth through leadership! Hear Jamiah talk about Crop Swap LA with KNX Heroes host Heather Jord...

CPR training in a class at school helped Downey High School senior, Isaac Delgadillo save the life of a collapsed umpire during a recent baseball game! Isaac knew just what to do, when the man fell to the ground behind home plate. His quick action made all the difference! Hear Isaac share his story with KNX Hero's host Heather Jordan, by clicking the link above.  Photo: Isaac Delgadillo, courtesy...

Nicki Clark knows how tough it can be to attend school while homeless. When she was a teenager, unexpected circumstances forced her and her mother out of their home and into the streets, starting a new life and with new struggles. School was always super important, so now as an adult, Nicki is giving back to kids in a similar situation. She's an award-winning volunteer tutor with School on Wheels,...

Carol Gibson is making a difference in the lives of low-income seniors all across Southern California! Medical experts and health professionals have documented that music and art can benefit an aging person in many ways, but not all facilities or senior living centers can afford programs that provide these activities. So, Carol and her team of volunteers at Compassionate Artists step in! From live...

Every year, the Kevin Armstrong M.D. Memorial Sports Foundation distributes hundreds of pairs of shoes to deserving kids in Santa Ana, to help keep them active for the spring and summer. There's nothing better than a new pair of kicks to build confidence in a young person! KAMSF Vice President Karen Armstrong checks in with Heroes Host Heather Jordan about their recent distribution!  Photo: Courte...

For nearly two decades, Chef Bruno Serato has been feeding our SoCal community, and communities around the world. Reaching an incredible milestone, Chef Bruno speaks with Heroes Host Heather Jordan about serving his 10-millionth meal with his non-profit, Caterina's Club. Chef Bruno also reveals how he felt getting chosen as a recipient for the 2024 President's Lifetime Achievement Award! https://c...

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 sh...

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: h...

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...

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....

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...