Second Year of Heroes for Barnabas

This year’s second annual Barnabas Center Fashion Show honoring Hometown Heroes took place on Monday, Feb. 27, at host sponsor Mocama Beer Company. The fashion show featured 17 Nassau County hometown heroes as models walking the runway. Event emcees Michael Brooks and Nicki Korman narrated stories of how the heroes impacted our Nassau County community and neighbors.

The 2023 Fashion Show showcased an evening of gratitude to the heroes who work tirelessly to help provide a healthy Nassau County community. These heroes serve in our schools, healthcare settings, essential and social services, and as our first responders.

Local honorees included:

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Joshua Carter; Nassau County Sherriff’s Office Emotional Support Dog “Tank” with handler Captain Renee Graham

John Sauer Sr., Authentic Impact Director; John Sauer, Jr., Special Olympian Cyclist, Special Olympics Inclusion; Paul Lore, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Foar From Home, Co-Founder Cross The Line Foundation, Founder 4SeeChange

The City of Fernandina Beach Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Tambasco; Christina Corbitt, Employee of The Year

Elm Street Sportsman’s Association, James “Jimmy” Edward Southers, Jr. and George “Lindsey” Raysor

Baptist Medical Center, Nassau Caregiver of the Year, Chris Wallace, ICU Certified Nurse Assistant

City of Fernandina Beach Fire And Rescue Firefighters/EMTs: Nate Swanda, Jordan Parker, Steven Clinton and Cassandra Griffitts

Michele Holbrook, National Ambassador to The Children’s Tumor Foundation

Micah’s Place, Domestic Violence Center

Nassau County Fire & Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic, Wesley “Hunter” Hutcheson; Justin Miller, Firefighter/Paramedic

Callahan Methodist Church, Pastor Bodie Riddle

Jack Corey, Feeding Northeast Florida Driver For Nassau County

Amanda Sauls, Nassau County School District Teacher of The Year

Betty Berkman, Chief Kindness Officer of Amelia Island

Grocery and Essential Retail Workers

Dr. Anna Wright, Medical Director for Nassau County Community Hospice & Palliative Care

Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, Founder Olivia Hoblit

Proceeds from the event benefit all of Barnabas’ programs that contribute to a healthy Nassau County.