First ‘ Lexington Unsung Heroes Ball’ honors several impactful community members

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - The 2022-2023 Leadership Lexington class has launched the first Lexington Unsung Heroes Ball at the Longship Club on Saturday.

“The purpose of the event is, we are aiming to honor the unsung heroes within our community, so people who quietly work behind the scenes, that go out of their way on an everyday basis to make Lexington a better place to live,” said event coordinator Jessica Bowman.

Froom doctors to first responders like Lexington firefighter Martin Ashford, several people will be recognized for the work they do within their professions and within their communities.

“I’m very thankful and grateful to even be considered for this recognition,” Ashford said.

Ashford said although its rewarding to be recognized, many of Saturday’s winners help others just for the joy of doing so.

“We do hard work, whether its for our profession or just for volunteering, you do it for the love for those people you want to help,” Ashford added.

Bowman said the event will be picked up by CivicLex to ensure unsung heroes continue to receive their flowers.

“We’re excited that another organization has come in and decided its a worthy event to continue, so we’re really excited to partner with them moving forward,” Bowman said.

Seven people who work in public and civil service positions were honored for their efforts that benefited the greater good.

Those winners include:

Christina Howard, Kentucky Children’s Hospital - Community Hero Award

Carla Guthrie, Memory Care Concierge, LLC - Dedicated Hero Award

Michael Price, Fayette County Public Schools - Distinguished Hero Award

Jeff Herron, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government - Emerging Hero Award

Mark Dougherty, Baptist Health, Lifeline Hero Award

Paul Garces, Lexington Public Library - Administrative Hero Award

Martin Ashford, Lexington Fire Department - Lexington’s Unsung Hero Award

For more information on the Lexington Unsung Heroes Ball, visit www.lexheroball.org.

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