FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007

SANTA FE MAN NAMED NATIONAL “HERO IN OUR MIDST”
Mayor Issues Proclamation Recognizing Service to the Community

SANTA FE, N.M. (June 21) -- A local man today received the national “Heroes In Our Midst” award for his community volunteerism and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Lee Cabeza de Vaca, who works for the New Mexico Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and serves as a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, was given a bronze Heroes In Our Midst medallion during a presentation at the Santa Fe Greenhouses and High Country Gardens.

Heroes In Our Midst is a national recognition program of the Greeting Card Association. Each month the program honors everyday community heroes who give of themselves to connect with others and show they care, and encourages Americans to send cards to the heroes in their own lives. Since its launch last year, Heroes In Our Midst has generated thousands of cards for community and personal heroes.

During the awards presentation, Santa Fe Mayor David Cross read a proclamation honoring Cabeza de Vaca for his years of outstanding service. In addition, the sponsors of Heroes In Our Midst said a $1,000 check will be donated in Cabeza de Vaca's name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico to support similar mentoring matches in the community.

“I am incredibly grateful to receive this award,” said Cabeza de Vaca. "I am very proud and very humbled to be a Hero in Our Midst." The former school teacher has spent the past seven years helping to guide and mentor “Jason”, a once quiet and withdrawn boy, toward being the self-confident and focused teen that he is today.

Last year Jason moved to Albuquerque, yet Lee continued connecting with the high school junior. “I asked if we could still get together,” recalls Jason. “I gave him my new address and he drove down from Santa Fe almost every weekend. As a friend, Lee has picked me up when I needed to talk. He even helped pay for tutors when I was having trouble in school."

When asked why he first started to volunteer, Cabeza de Vaca said, "I was fortunate to have the love and support of two male role models--my father and my grandfather. What they showed and what they taught me shaped the man that I have become. While growing up, I witnessed my parents dedicate part of their lives to community service and I saw the joy it brought them. I wanted to do the same."

Jason’s grandmother, Rose Quintana, understands the importance of having Lee in her grandson's life, "Lee is always there for Jason. He is a good influence. And while I can't say it just right, Lee is a kind, good-hearted, wonderful person."

During the awards presentation, the Mayor and representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters presented Cabeza de Vaca with greeting cards noting how appreciative they are of his service. The organization hopes people throughout Santa Fe and the surrounding areas will send a card to Cabeza de Vaca expressing their appreciation for the impact he is making in the community. Cards should be addressed to:

Lee Cabeza de Vaca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico
1229 S. St. Francis Street, Suite C
Santa Fe, NM 87505

“Heroes In Our Midst is all about the rewards of connecting to others and building human ties,” said Chris Bouchard, spokesperson for the program. “Greeting cards are also a cherished tradition for connecting and showing that you care about others. People everywhere have a special card story of how someone impacted their life or created a shared memory through a greeting card. We hope the people of Santa Fe will not only send a card or note to Cabeza de Vaca, but to the everyday heroes in their own lives”

To learn more about Heroes In Our Midst, visit www.HeroesInOurMidst.org.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact of the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 240,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate, visit www.bbbsa.org.

The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents nearly 300 U.S. and international greeting card publishers and suppliers. It is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the tradition and cultural values of exchanging greeting cards.