One of the most popular professional teams in the Bay Area are the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors do a great job of bringing Bay Areians together with the excitement of games, giving the chance to people to come together and support. The Warriors organization creates nights where fans can receive the same feeling of support and limelight. Throughout the season the Warriors host different theme nights where different groups in the community are highlighted. “We do a different theme each night and we highlight and celebrate different cultures. We had Jewish heritage [December fifth] and we have Filipino Heritage Month,” explained Rylan Keeler whose role for the Warriors is Assistant, Communications. “We like to highlight different communities as well as cultural heritage. We do Autism night as well, to raise awareness.”
On Dec. 6, the Warriors hosted Local Heroes Night. Local Heroes Night was a night that was dedicated to “highlight members of local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians,” shared Keeland. On that night local heroes from all around the Bay Area were welcomed to the game and celebrated.
“Our community engagement department is in charge of reaching out to people in the community who have made an impact. Like we have San Francisco Fire Department Chief Sandra Tong who was just sworn in by Mayor Breed…But we like to include everyone from the Bay Area.” Before tip-off, San Francisco Fire Department Paramedic, Gerald Colbert sang the National Anthem and newly appointed San Francisco Fire Department Chief Sandra Tong was the bell ringer of the night —a tradition before each Warriors game. Along with the highlighted moments special t-shirts were available for purchase with the fire department, police department and healthcare emblems along with the Golden State Warriors logo.
Not only were San Francisco Fire Department members given their moments to shine, but audience members had some fun of their own. During breaks in the game, the announcer would request any local first responders and healthcare workers to stand and be recognized on the jumbotron. “Please stand, raise your hand. We want to honor you tonight for our Local Heroes Night,” said the game announcer. Local heroes would stand and wave proudly at the camera. As they were being projected on the jumbotron the crowd would let out a loud cheer of support as the camera panned from first responders to healthcare workers. When the camera reached one man he proudly pointed to the fire department emblem on his shirt.
The Local Heroes Night Impact Warrior Honoree was Neal Ram for his work with Life Goes On Foundation based in San Lorenzo. According to their website, Life Goes On Foundation’s goal is to “help people overcome challenges by spreading a positive message through our speaker series, hospital care packages, adaptive sports and an initiative for spinal cord injury awareness to find a cure.”
Many people from the Bay Area came to Local Heroes Night to celebrate a special moment, but within the Warriors organization itself is a former EMT.
Jaron Wong is a member of the Warriors’ hip-hop focused Blue Crew Dance Team. Wong, who has been on the dance team for two seasons now was also a former EMT in San Leandro. “I’m glad healthcare workers are getting that light. When you’re doing that job you’re serving your community,” Wong shared about the Warriors having Local Heroes Night. He describes the demanding energy it takes working in the healthcare system. “In healthcare there’s a lot of roots to go down. A lot of service people, bedside nurses, people who are really doing the dirty work, get overlooked a lot. They are overlooked and underpaid. They are people working 12-hour shifts, getting paid $19 an hour, working night shifts.” This hits close to home for Wong since he not only has a background in the industry, but much of his family are healthcare workers as well. “We’re Filipinos,” Wong laughs, “so I have a lot of aunts who are nurses.”
Wong reflects on Local Heroes Night, and how an event like it gives just enough of a boost for those hard working heroes. “When you’re working a job like that, all you need is a nice little ‘thank you’ to keep you going sometimes. So, I think it’s really cool that the Warriors are going some like [Local Heroes Night].”
