The spotlight shone on two members of the local public safety community during the Long Beach Kiwanis Club’s 100th anniversary dinner Thursday evening, Sept. 19.
Debuting its “Heart of a Hero” award, Kiwanis recognized Jim Fraser and Scott Lasch, members of Long Beach’s Fire and Police departments, respectively for their community outreach and volunteer work.
Once a year, Engineer Jim Fraser, who has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for 19 years, shaves his head to help kids with life-threatening cancer.
Scott Lasch, who has been with the Long Beach Police Department for 25 years, has continued to dedicate his time and money to comfort victims of mass shootings and other tragedies.
Clyde Fraser, father of Kiwanis Club’s Heart of a Hero Awards recipient LBFD Engineer James Fraser, wipes his eyes as his son is recognized during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019. The event happened during a dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Long Beach Kiwanis Club at MOLAA. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
LBPD Deputy Chief Alex Avila, left, talks about the merits of Kiwanis Club’s Heart of a Hero Awards recipient LBPD detective Scott Lasch, right, during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019. The event happened during a dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Long Beach Kiwanis Club at MOLAA. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Kiwanis Club members and guests attend their first Heart of a Hero Awards ceremony at MOLAA in Long Beach on Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
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Kiwanis Club’s Heart of a Hero Awards recipient LBPD detective Scott Lasch is given the award by Pat Paris Appleby during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019. The event happened during a dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Long Beach Kiwanis Club at MOLAA. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Kiwanis Club’s Heart of a Hero Awards recipient LBPD detective Scott Lasch is honored during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, Sep. 19, 2019. The event happened during a dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Long Beach Kiwanis Club at MOLAA. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Kiwanis President Pat Paris Appleby presented the two recipients with their awards during the ceremony at the Museum of Latin American Art.
To honor their 100 years in Long Beach, Kiwanians are partnering with the Long Beach Police and Fire Departments and raising funds for two projects that serve children and the city:
Kids and Cops, which brings youth and police together for a day of games, food and fun. The goal is to build trust in law enforcement through personal interaction with kids.
Fire Safety House mobile unit, which will travel to Long Beach schools throughout the year as an interactive educational tool to teach children fire safety.
