Final Four Frontline Heroes
From nurses to your mail carriers, firefighters to your local grocery clerk, we all know someone who has put serving our community first. Since October of 2020, the NCAA and Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee have recognized Final Four Frontline Heroes with a surprise visit from the Final Four Fan Jam and official 2021 Final Four swag to show our support and appreciation. Heroes will continue to be recognized through the 2021 NCAA Final Four.
Congratulations to the following 2021 Final Four Frontline Heroes:
Nine13sports - Non-Profit Organization
Since COVID-19, Nine13sports has temporarily pivoted their operations (engaging youth through bikes) to help assist the fight against COVID-19. Their team has provided logistical support for initiatives led by organizations like Gleaners Food Bank, Second Helpings, and the Midwest Food Bank to ensure efficient food distribution to food pantries, other agencies that started temporary food pantry operations, as well individuals across the city that are unable to leave their homes.
Dr. Louise Tetrick - GenePace LLC
Dr. Tetrick has been an essential doctor for various sport teams here in Indianapolis. Without Dr. Tetrick and her team of nurses, many college and sporting events would not be taking place. Her smile lights up a room and makes COVID testing the best it could possibly be! Learn more about her work as featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Patrick Lamble - Bazbeaux Pizza
Patrick has been delivering pizzas for Bazbeaux Pizza for almost 14 years. Since the pandemic, Patrick has been delivering at least five times a week to local hospitals, organizations, and families all throughout downtown Indianapolis. Patrick always has a great attitude and is willing to step in and help whenever it is needed.
Mark Tunnell - Market District
Mark is a chef at The Market District in Carmel and since the pandemic, Mark has worked every day in order to serve his community and support his family. He is 68 years old and a true team player, always willing to help others whether it’s co-workers, customers, or his bosses. Learn more about Mark as featured by RTV6.
Sasha Price - Community North Hospital
Sasha is a phenomenal nurse as well as a mother. She is currently in her last semester of school and an RN in the maternity department at Community North Hospital – North Campus. Through this pandemic, Sasha has consistently put others in front of herself and gone above and beyond for others while still trying to successfully complete her degree and be an amazing mother.
Elaine Purdue - Ascension St. Vincent
Elaine was the first Ascension St. Vincent nurse in the state to start taking video/phone appointments during the pandemic. As a wife and mom of three, Elaine has sacrificed being with her family, taking shifts to give ER nurses a break and continuing to work the weekends at the main hospital, along with taking video shifts in her own time. She is an amazing mother, wife, and nurse practitioner.
ICU Doctors and Nurses - IU Health North
One of Indiana Sports Corp's long-time and amazing volunteers, Mike Kueper, nominated the ICU team that cared for him while he had COVID-19. These doctors and nurses continue to make sacrifices everyday through this unprecedented time, and Mike wanted to show his appreciation for all the incredible work they do and did for Mike during his time in the ICU.
Joseph Van Buren Jr. - Meijer
Joe's genuine kindness brings comfort and joy every day to the customers at Meijer. Joe's personality has made an impact on the community throughout the pandemic. One person decided to take it to the neighborhood social media to see if Joe made everyone feel the same way, and the reaction was overwhelming.
Diana Klarich - Robert Elementary School
Diana has been a PE teacher at Robery Elementary School in Wayne Township for over 40 years. This pandemic brought on a unique challenge for Diana as she had to figure out how to teach and stress the importance of physical activity while facing the challenge of remote teaching, loss of physical space, and dealing with Indiana weather. Diana is admired by everyone she works with and is very deserving of this Frontline Heroes recognition.
Arin Schellenberg - Old Bethel Food Pantry
Since the pandemic, Arin has courageously stepped in as Director of Old Bethel Food Pantry on Indy’s east side. She’s fearlessly led a team of volunteers and National Guard soldiers weekly serving record high food pantry shoppers in need. Arin is a mother of three and continues to keep spirits up through these hard times.
