Church Will Salute 31 for Heroics During Riots

Thirty-one individuals and organizations will be honored for their heroic or positive actions during and after last year’s riots at an awards dinner today at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

The “Heroes of the L.A. Riots Celebration” will also raise money for community programs provided by the Church of the Transfiguration, a Catholic parish in South-Central.

Using newspaper, radio and television spots, organizers solicited award nominations from the community over the last couple of months. About 170 individuals, businesses, churches, community and civic groups were nominated.

A committee of community and Transfiguration church leaders chose the following 31 honorees for their contributions:

* Sean Alexander, who started the Miles of Pennies drive to raise money for riot victims.

* Dr. Yong D. Chung, who treated injured victims.

* First AME Church, for being a center of calm.

* Food 4 Less Supermarkets Inc., which gave away more than $1 million in food.

* Dr. Gerald Fradkoff, who lost his medical office in the fires of the riot but stayed to serve the community.

* Dr. Leslie Geiger, who headed the team of doctors treating riot victims at Daniel Freeman Hospital.

* Robin Green-Jones, who organized a human chain around the Baldwin Hills Theater and Boys Market to keep them from being destroyed.

* Keenan Guidroz, who saved the life of a news reporter and sought help for the injured man.

* Wan Soo Han, who helped protect businesses.

* Firefighter Don Jones, who used his body to shield a motorist who was being beaten in his car.

* The Korea Times newspaper, which raised $3 million to benefit riot victims.

* Korean Order of Foresters, which donated office space to community service organizations.

* Frank Martinez, who watered down the roof of a medical facility while the store next door burned.

* Mattel Toys Inc., one of the first corporations to pledge its support for rebuilding efforts.

* Nissan Motor Corp. in USA, which created a $5-million endowment toward creating jobs in South-Central.

* Angela E. Oh, a Korean community leader who helped build ties with other ethnic groups.

* Actor Edward James Olmos for organizing cleanup efforts.

* Oriental Mission Church, which gave food and shelter.

* Dr. Madison Richardson, who treated victims.

* Lourdes Saab, who implemented an assistance program to help Latinos.

* Sterling Home Care, which provided medical supplies such as oxygen to home care patients during the riots.

* St. Francis Hospital, for treating riot victims.

* Dr. Paul Toffel, who treated the injured.

* United Parcel Service, for providing service before, during and after the riots.

* Actress Lindsay Wagner, who helped coordinate a $100,000 food drive.

* Singer Dionne Warwick, who helped calm the city.

* State Sen. Diane E. Watson, who helped bring relief efforts to senior citizens, unemployed single parents and community-based organizations.

* “Stand and Be Proud” songwriters Sue Shifrin and David Cassidy, music producer Bob Ezrin and event producer Larry Winokur.

Information: (213) 291-1136 or 298-0029.