The Hero In You Foundation Honors Santa Fe Firefighters with New R. Hero Sculpture; Dalmatian Sculpture at Fire Station 3 Honors Heroes and First Responders

The Santa Fe Fire Department, City Mayor Javier Gonzales, first responders and local community members will come together at Fire Station 3 on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:30p.m. for the public unveiling and dedication of “R. Hero,” a six-foot-tall, red Dalmatian puppy sculpture that honors first responders and inspires youth to become heroes. The large aluminum Dalmatian puppy sculpture seeks to encourage conversation between children and their parents, caregivers and teachers about the traits of a hero – courage, respect, honor and compassion for others.

“The R. Hero public art display is a celebration of our local heroes. As families visit Fire Station 3, we hope this sculpture will serve as a reminder of these heroes and the contributions they make, here in Santa Fe and across the globe,” said Bunni Benaron, founder of The Hero In You Foundation. “But it doesn’t stop there, the Foundation wants to encourage the next generations to become heroes and ‘earn their hero spots’ by doing heroic deeds for others in their daily lives.”

The Hero In You Foundation recently launched “R. Hero’s Rules for Safety,” an educational program, free to the community, that teaches children five safety steps to follow in case of an emergency, as well as an online curriculum. Rocket, an animated Dalmatian puppy, helps children find “the hero in you,” while learning more about the work of all first responders. The dedication is open to the public. All attendees will receive an R. Hero coloring book and additional resources at the event.

As one of 25 unique “R. Hero” locations across the nation, with an additional international placement in El Salvador, Fire Station 3 in Santa Fe joins other fire stations, children’s museums, parks, children’s hospitals and other public venues across the nation as part of the “Dalmatian Nation.”

For more information about The Hero In You Foundation or to view the R. Hero video series and curriculum, please visit www.theheroinyoufoundation.org, Facebook.com/TheHeroInYouFoundation or twitter.com/THIYFoundation.