Thursday night, November 20th the Valley came together to celebrate community and honor those who have continued to stand for their communities. HANDS 15th Annual Community Leadership Awards took place at the Firehouse Gallery.

It’s always fun on nights like this when I get to see friends and cherished colleagues. The room was full excitement. This year’s honorees include Orange Fire Officers and Fighters Unions Locals 21 & 10 who held annual community events, holiday donations and participate in youth sporting events. De’Shon Parks, an Orange native with a rough background who coaches volunteer youth football. He has said that, “I coach life skills, through sports.” The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges were honored as well as the owner and creative director of Meko.

Here are pictures from that night!