Unforgettables Heart Awards Honors 'Big Hearts'

Just days before Valentine’s Day, many people, organizations and businesses gathered together to be recognized for their kindness to others during the 6th Annual Unforgettables Hearts Awards Friday, Feb. 10 at the Fox Theater in Redlands. The Unforgettables Hearts Awards, started by Founder Tim Evans and State Senator Mike Morrell, seeks to recognize the “biggest hearts” of the Inland Empire who have helped make a difference in the lives of others. The Unforgettables Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that seeks to help assist families who experience the death of their child. The foundation enables low-income families to give their children a dignified burial after they have passed away and to encourage communities to recognize the financial trauma which is often associated with the death of a child. Some officials, including State Senator Mike Morrell, State Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and Redlands Mayor Paul Foster, were in attendance to show their support for the people who show their kindness through the work and services they offer. Each person who received an award was given certificates of recognition from Morrell, State Senator Connie Leyva, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Assembly Member Eloise Reyes. Evans welcomed everyone in attendance and recognized the event’s sponsors. “I am fortunate and blessed enough to be the founder of this organization,” Evans said. Stan Morrison, Unforgettables board member, was the emcee for the afternoon and introduced each person, organization or business who received an award. Before Morrison began recognizing the award winners, he introduced San Bernardino Supervisor Josie Gonzales who gave the invocation. Steinorth helped led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Abbey Umali and the Contro Corvus Choir sang the National Anthem. On behalf of the Redlands City Council, Foster welcomed those in attendance and shared his support for the foundation. “As a parent who has lost a child, I know firsthand the pain, the agony and suffering that comes with that loss,” Foster said. “(It’s) something that never leaves you. I also know during that time, having people around you and having the resources available to take care of (what) matters is extremely important.” Foster said Redlands is proud that Evans and his foundation chose to make Redlands their home. “It brings us a great deal of pleasure to have them here and to know that they share this community with us,” Foster said. The award winners were grouped into four separate groups based on location and as each person went up to receive their certificates, they shook hands with the officials and took a group photo. Morrell, the keynote speaker, has attended the annual event for the last six years and has worked with Evans to help honor and recognize those who are giving back to the community and to others. Morrell said it has been encouraging to see how many people are being recognized for their service to others. “Americans are great people,” Morrell said. “(There are) a lot of great people in California who give from the bottom of their heart, time, talents and resources, so this has been a really encouraging thing for me as a senator.” With his 6 years of experience in Sacramento, Morrell said he has recognized the role of limited power of the government. “Nonprofits and charities will be more efficient and more effective with the tax dollars than the government will,” Morrell said. “I got to see firsthand how government will squander our money in bureaucracy and administrative costs.” Morrell shared a study that shows top charities in America usually get more than 85 cents on the dollar into the hands of the people they want to help. He said in 1976, top tax rates were at 70 percent and later dropped to 28 percent. However, Morrell said charitable contributions to nonprofits, charities and churches went up by 60 percent. “When Americans have the freedom, they give a lot of their money to help very good causes,” Morrell said. The Unforgettables Foundation also presented the Unforgettable Summer Austin Awards, an award named after the daughter of John and Judy Austin, the longest major donors who have given $250,000 cumulatively to the Unforgettables over the years. The Summer Austin Awards highlights other charities and this year, gave recognition to to JP Morgan/ Chase Bank, Riverside Community Hospital and the Goldware Family for their exceptional acts of service and major donors to the Unforgettables. Rick Plattner, Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, lost his son, David, who passed away at 8 years old. Plattner and Miki Ayala have been donating to the Unforgettables for a number of years. “We are glad to be a part of it and help out wherever we can,” Plattner said. District Attorney Mike Ramos also took a moment to recognize Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin. The Unforgettables will hold a Heart Awards Luncheons in Apple Valley and later in Indio to recognize the people, business, organizations and charities who provide service to others in their area.