HOMETOWN HEROES

There's nothing quite like the wide-eyed wonder of a child on Christmas! Who can forget the warm twinkle of lights…the sweet aroma of home cooking…and presents waiting under the tree? Kim Hamilton and her husband manage the Rancho Feliz Mobile Home Park in Rohnert Park, and for the last three years, she has made sure that every child in the park is able to celebrate the joy of Christmas with dinners, trees, bicycles, clothes and even letters from Santa! KZST now salutes Kim Hamilton for making a difference in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank we honor them by placing their names onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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Some people just know how to give…like Dara Peloquin. When her grandparents fell ill, Dara pushed aside her plans for graduate school to take care of them. After they passed away, she volunteered at the Sonoma Humane Society, walking dogs and mentoring kids from a local group home. You might also find her in the children's section at the northwest library at Coddingtown, wearing a skirt and flip flops as she reads to a child. KZST now salutes Dara Peloquin for making a difference in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank we honor them by placing their names onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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Picture a group of women gathered around a table, chatting, laughing, and savoring a plate of appetizers. After an hour or so,these ladies get down to business, discussing charities and how they can help. They're known as "The Fabulous Women of Petaluma". Started five years ago by Krista Gawronski, The Fabulous Women have grown from a handful of girlfriends, to a dynamic female force that has made a positive impact on our community.

KZST now salutes Krista Gawronski for making a difference in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank we honor them by placing their names onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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Behind a rusting chain link fence on Montgomery drive is the foundation of the oldest building in Santa Rosa, The Carrillo Adobe. Buried under mud, dirt and a neglected tangle of brush it was almost forgotten. That was until, Santa Rosa High School History Teacher Dave Franzman and his History Club students uncovered and helped preserve this neglected piece of Sonoma County's past.

KZST now salutes both Dave and his students for making a difference in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank we honor them by placing their names onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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In 1983, Tom Furrer started the United Anglers of Casa Grande High School. Once upon a time, the brushy, meandering stream called Adobe Creek, flowed clear and clean. But years of neglect, changed that once pristine stream into a graveyard of discarded appliances and box springs. Instead of hoping that "someone" would clean it up, Tom and his students restored that environmentally dead area into the only student run fish hatchery in the United States. The "miracle at adobe creek " was featured in Readers’ Digest and documented by noted naturalist Jane Goodall herself.

KZST now salutes Tom Furrer for making a difference, right here, in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank, we honor him by placing his name onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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October 28th seemed like a normal day.Eighth grader Devin Boettger was sitting with his friends, eating lunch, talking and laughing…when he inhaled part of his lunch and was unable to breathe! That’s when “yard duty” Mici Ryberg raced toward Devin, thinking “Nobody's gonna die on MY watch!”. She grabbed Devin, reached her arms around his choking body and performed the Heimlich maneuver. Seconds later, the color returned to his face…and he was breathing normally.

She had saved his life.

KZST now salutes Mici Ryberg for making a difference, right here, in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank, we honor her by placing her name onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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Screeching tires…the crunch of metal and broken glass…then, silence.
Jim Kracke was lucky to be alive.

As he lay recovering in his hospital bed, the doctors explained what the Novato Fire Department had done to save his life. Thankful for a second chance, Jim decided to give back, serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Glen Ellen Fire Department for over twenty years. During that time, Jim has been honored twice for saving two lives…one was the fire chief! When personal tragedy struck and claimed the life of his brother, Jim stepped up once again, taking his nephews under his wing…and raising them as his own.

KZST now salutes Jim Kracke for making a difference, right here, in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank, we honor him by placing his name onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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“I love you.”

For every parent, there is no sweeter sound than hearing their child speak these words for the first time. Unfortunately, autism can delay that special moment. Michelle Chastain, a speech-language pathologist at the Swain Center has helped make that dream come true for the Krawchuk family of Santa Rosa. With Michelle's love and dedication, their son Aidan has emerged from a world of silence…to say those three priceless words.

KZST now salutes Michelle Chastain for making a difference, right here, in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank, we honor her by placing her name onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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What defines a hero?

Someone who puts the needs of others first, despite their own hardships…like Kevin Fitzgerald. Imagine living on the streets of Santa Rosa, clinging to a fragile existence, with only a small monthly disability payment to sustain you. That was Kevin Fitzgerald's world for the past quarter century. But still, this man who had almost nothing…gave regularly to ChildFund International to help those who had even less.

Sadly, Kevin died December 17th…but others, moved by his spirit of giving, have continued to give. In memory of his generosity in the face of poverty, KZST now salutes Kevin Fitzgerald for making a difference, right here, in Sonoma County. Together with the Exchange Bank, we honor him by placing his name onto our honor roll of “KZST Hometown Heroes.”

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