Fernandina Beach, FL -This year’s 2nd annual Barnabas Center Fashion Show Honoring Hometown Heroes took place on Monday, February 27, at Host Sponsor Mocama Beer Company. The fashion show featured 17 Nassau County Hometown Heroes as models walking the runway. Event emcees Michael Brooks and Nicki Korman narrated stories of how the heroes impacted our Nassau County community and neighbors.
The 2023 Fashion Show showcased an evening of gratitude, Honoring Hometown Heroes for a Healthy Community and was proudly sponsored by Mocama Beer Company, Catering by Liz Grenamyer, Liza & Terry Cotter and The Jaguar Foundation. Hero Sponsors included: Boston Photography, Davis & Dee Chaplin, Collins Korman Events, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, First Port City Bank, Gage Tree Care, Isola Home, JJ Cooper, Lori Lulu, Nelson and Associates Insurance, Pearl, Residence Inn by Marriott and Mary Anne Sharer.
Thank you to the heroes, who work tirelessly to help provide a healthy Nassau County community. These heroes serve in our schools, healthcare settings, essential and social services, and as our first responders.
Local Honorees included:
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Joshua Carter; Nassau County Sherriff’s Office Emotional Support Dog “Tank” with handler, Captain Renee Graham
John Sauer Sr., Authentic Impact Director; John Sauer, Jr., Special Olympian Cyclist, Special Olympics Inclusion; Paul Lore, US Marine Corps Veteran, Foar From Home, Co-Founder Cross The Line Foundation, Founder 4SeeChange
The City of Fernandina Beach Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Tambasco; Christina Corbitt, Employee of The Year
Elm Street Sportsman’s Association, James “Jimmy” Edward Southers, Jr. and George “Lindsey” Raysor
Baptist Medical Center, Nassau Caregiver of the Year, Chris Wallace, ICU Certified Nurse Assistant
City of Fernandina Beach Fire And Rescue Firefighters/EMTs: Nate Swanda, Jordan Parker, Steven Clinton and Cassandra Griffitts
Michele Holbrook, National Ambassador to The Children’s Tumor Foundation
Micah’s Place, Domestic Violence Center
Nassau County Fire & Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Wesley “Hunter” Hutcheson; Justin Miller, Firefighter/Paramedic
Callahan Methodist Church, Pastor Bodie Riddle
Jack Corey, Feeding Northeast Florida Driver For Nassau County
Amanda Sauls, Nassau County School District Teacher of The Year
Betty Berkman, Chief Kindness Officer of Amelia Island
Grocery And Essential Retail Workers
Dr. Anna Wright, Medical Director for Nassau County Community Hospice & Palliative Care
Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, Founder Olivia Hoblit
The evening acknowledged their commitment to Nassau County and celebrated their dedication to making Nassau County a healthier place to live. Proceeds from the event benefit ALL of Barnabas’ programs that contribute to a HEALTHY Nassau County.
Jamie Reynolds, Barnabas Center President & CEO, said, “It was exciting to see how many hometown heroes came together to support those who need us the most, our neighbors. Barnabas is one part of the community that delivers hope.” She continued to say, “Look around, from the first responders, educators, the healthcare community, grocery stores, and our neighbors themselves, Nassau County is filled with hometown heroes.”
