The Hometown Heroes Program sponsored by Centerpoint Energy recognizes everyday people from our community that have helped their neighborhoods in extraordinary ways. Perhaps they started a neighborhood recycling program, volunteered to teach others how to read, or even performed some feat of heroism.
How to make a nomination
Fans can nominate their Hometown Hero online or in person at Minute Maid Park in the Union Station lobby or at the Fan Accommodations Booth (Section 112 or 323).
One winner will be chosen each month during the season to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game and to be the special guest of the Astros for the evening.
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Winners
SEPTEMBER 2007 Frank Velasquez attended the University of Houston and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1978. He currently works for the University of Texas Health Science Center in the area of research administration. Frank served in various volunteer positions from concession stand manager to President of the East End Little League. He was instrumental in obtaining a $1.5 million community development block grant fund for extensive renovation of the Deez Park facility (four baseball fields completely reconstructed, lighting upgrades, concession stand and bathroom facilities.) Frank is also a member and has served as the President of the Texas Baseball Booster Club. He was honored by the Houston Astros and Gillette at Hispanic Heritage Day in 1999 for his devotion to the community. In 2002, Frank’s love for children and baseball led him toward the Council of Houston’s Inner City Little Leagues which represents 12 little leagues in our inner city. He has helped provide free baseball clinics, scholarships and discounts to children of all ages, he organizes a CHILL tournament each year before the season starts and makes it possible for CHILL leagues to participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., each year free of charge. Frank also is able to stay actively involved in his community. He is a member of the Eastwood Civic Club and a member of the Super Neighborhood Civic Club for the Lawndale Fullerton communities.
AUGUST 2007 Cliff Adams -- One of 18 children, Adams has been an athlete since he was a young boy. From his youth in the Acres Homes area and his high school career at St. Pius X, to his service to his country in the U.S. Navy, and through his work with youth in his home parish of St. Monica Catholic Church, Adams has used sports to add to the sense of community in his hometown. Adams was a star wide receiver at St. Pius where he teamed with such local sports heroes as Gary Kubiak and Kenny Humphreys. Following his high school graduation, he joined the Navy, playing on the baseball, football and softball teams at his various postings. He was nominated as Athlete of the Year for the Atlantic Fleet in 1987 while serving in the community as a youth coach in his off-duty hours. Adams has led naval Junior ROTC programs in the Aldine and Fort Bend school districts. As a naval science instructor at Bush High School, he led the NJROTC drill team to the national championship in 2006. At Nimitz High, he led that school to national championship appearances in 2001 and again in 2004.
Among his many services to St. Monica’s, his work as the director of the St. Monica Youth Sports Ministry stands out. His dedication has increased participation in the sports ministry more then eight-fold, from 30 to more than 250. He also coaches youth baseball, basketball and baseball in the Acres Homes Youth Association. Adams recently received the Father Hogan Award in 2005 and the Hayden Walker Award in 2006 as a member of the Knights of Peter Claver for his role of dedication and leadership to the parish of St. Monica and the youth sports ministry for St. Monica and the Acres Home Community.
JULY 2007 Arnie “Peanut Dude” Murphy -- In 2000, Arnie the “Peanut Dude” opened his heart to the Sunshine Kids and in turn gained the love and admiration of hundreds of Sunshine Kids who have served as his “Junior Peanut Dudes.” As Arnie’s sidekicks, the Sunshine Kids actively participate in the game from a new perspective of tossing peanuts to an anxious Astros crowd. Arnie individually remembers so many of the Sunshine Kids by name and has become a celebrity to the Sunshine Kids community. Arnie is a hero to the Sunshine Kids and to the many children that he has come in contact through the years.
JUNE 2007 Roberto Gauna was recognized as the Hometown Hero for the month of June. On May 25, 2007, Gauna saved the life of Jeff Blessing, a man involved in a motorcycle accident on I-45 in Houston. Gauna spotted the emergency and stopped to help direct traffic and provide aide to Blessing. Throughout the entire incident, Gauna had been driving a cement truck, which he still managed to deliver to his job site on time.
After the events of September 11, 2001, Camp felt compelled to do more with her community and joined the Texas - 3 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs). She has been sent across the country to provide medical assistance, most recently to New Orleans, La., for several weeks following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
MAY 2007 Lisa Camp was honored during the May 31, 2007 game against the Cincinnati Reds. Camp has shown her support for the citizens of Friendswood through her leadership in pre-hospital patient care. An EMS and fire respondent for 28 years, Camp worked her way up the ranks and was named FVEMS Chief in 1995. She created a successful continuing education program to keep members of her team confident and informed. She has been active in her community as a Safety Clown, attending schools and community events. Camp also formed a Bike Medic Group after receiving bikes and other equipment as donations to FVEMS.
After the events of September 11, 2001, Camp felt compelled to do more with her community and joined the Texas – 3 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs). She has been sent across the country to provide medical assistance, most recently to New Orleans, La., for several weeks following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
APRIL 2007 Dr. Mark Kline was honored as Houston's Hometown Hero for the month of April at Minute Maid Park. Nominated by his colleagues at the Texas Children's Hospital, Dr. Kline has positively influenced numerous individuals in the Houston area, as well as around the world.
In 1996, Dr. Kline organized a trip to Romania where he visited orphanages for children with AIDS and other severe infectious diseases. Following his return to the United States, the Baylor professor of pediatrics launched the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI), in order to deliver medication to HIV-positive children in foreign countries. The BIPAI has grown to include a pediatric AIDS clinic in Romania, as well as six clinics throughout Africa. With Kline's leadership and guidance, the Houston-based program has provided care for 12,633 young children, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to providing care for infected, sick children, Dr. Kline's BIPAI program provides educational classroom experiences for health care professionals in African nations. Through Kline's efforts, there has been an increase in HIV/AIDS awareness, and countless lives have been saved in underprivileged parts of the world.
Community
The Hometown Heroes Program sponsored by Centerpoint Energy recognizes everyday people from our community that have helped their neighborhoods in extraordinary ways. Perhaps they started a neighborhood recycling program, volunteered to teach others how to read, or even performed some feat of heroism.
Frank Velasquez attended the University of Houston and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1978. He currently works for the University of Texas Health Science Center in the area of research administration. Frank served in various volunteer positions from concession stand manager to President of the East End Little League. He was instrumental in obtaining a $1.5 million community development block grant fund for extensive renovation of the Deez Park facility (four baseball fields completely reconstructed, lighting upgrades, concession stand and bathroom facilities.) Frank is also a member and has served as the President of the Texas Baseball Booster Club. He was honored by the Houston Astros and Gillette at Hispanic Heritage Day in 1999 for his devotion to the community. In 2002, Frank’s love for children and baseball led him toward the Council of Houston’s Inner City Little Leagues which represents 12 little leagues in our inner city. He has helped provide free baseball clinics, scholarships and discounts to children of all ages, he organizes a CHILL tournament each year before the season starts and makes it possible for CHILL leagues to participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., each year free of charge. Frank also is able to stay actively involved in his community. He is a member of the Eastwood Civic Club and a member of the Super Neighborhood Civic Club for the Lawndale Fullerton communities.
Cliff Adams -- One of 18 children, Adams has been an athlete since he was a young boy. From his youth in the Acres Homes area and his high school career at St. Pius X, to his service to his country in the U.S. Navy, and through his work with youth in his home parish of St. Monica Catholic Church, Adams has used sports to add to the sense of community in his hometown. Adams was a star wide receiver at St. Pius where he teamed with such local sports heroes as Gary Kubiak and Kenny Humphreys. Following his high school graduation, he joined the Navy, playing on the baseball, football and softball teams at his various postings. He was nominated as Athlete of the Year for the Atlantic Fleet in 1987 while serving in the community as a youth coach in his off-duty hours. Adams has led naval Junior ROTC programs in the Aldine and Fort Bend school districts. As a naval science instructor at Bush High School, he led the NJROTC drill team to the national championship in 2006. At Nimitz High, he led that school to national championship appearances in 2001 and again in 2004.
Arnie “Peanut Dude” Murphy -- In 2000, Arnie the “Peanut Dude” opened his heart to the Sunshine Kids and in turn gained the love and admiration of hundreds of Sunshine Kids who have served as his “Junior Peanut Dudes.” As Arnie’s sidekicks, the Sunshine Kids actively participate in the game from a new perspective of tossing peanuts to an anxious Astros crowd. Arnie individually remembers so many of the Sunshine Kids by name and has become a celebrity to the Sunshine Kids community. Arnie is a hero to the Sunshine Kids and to the many children that he has come in contact through the years.
Roberto Gauna was recognized as the Hometown Hero for the month of June. On May 25, 2007, Gauna saved the life of Jeff Blessing, a man involved in a motorcycle accident on I-45 in Houston. Gauna spotted the emergency and stopped to help direct traffic and provide aide to Blessing. Throughout the entire incident, Gauna had been driving a cement truck, which he still managed to deliver to his job site on time.
Lisa Camp was honored during the May 31, 2007 game against the Cincinnati Reds. Camp has shown her support for the citizens of Friendswood through her leadership in pre-hospital patient care. An EMS and fire respondent for 28 years, Camp worked her way up the ranks and was named FVEMS Chief in 1995. She created a successful continuing education program to keep members of her team confident and informed. She has been active in her community as a Safety Clown, attending schools and community events. Camp also formed a Bike Medic Group after receiving bikes and other equipment as donations to FVEMS.
Dr. Mark Kline was honored as Houston's Hometown Hero for the month of April at Minute Maid Park. Nominated by his colleagues at the Texas Children's Hospital, Dr. Kline has positively influenced numerous individuals in the Houston area, as well as around the world.