For the Oakland Firefighters Random Acts organization, those heroic tendencies continue even when fire helmets are off.

This year, the group celebrates Oakland residents who have contributed their own random acts of kindness with the 3rd Annual Awards and Sweetheart Ball Saturday at the Greek Orthodox Church Community Center in Oakland.

The event will host speakers Dennis Smith, founding editor of Firehouse Magazine, Noel Cisneros of KRON-TV and a performance by the Prescott Circus Theatre. A silent auction features a trip to Cabo San Lucas as the grand prize.

"It's kind of like a variety show," said John Larson, an Oakland firefighter at Station Four. "Crime and politics overshadow everything. This is a chance to (acknowledge) the everyday people who don't get recognized."

This year's Citizen of the Year award goes to Tom Herane, who noticed a smoke-filled apartment on 14th and Harrison streets after leaving the gym last November. He rescued two children from the second floor of the apartment building.

Aileen Moffitt, a school teacher at Prescott Elementary, will be awarded Educator of the Year for creating the Prescott Clowns, a troupe of student and professional clowns. Moffitt's troupe has performed for 20 years.

The awards and sweetheart ball will provide cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Cindy Chin, secretary and treasurer for the group, said the event is also a fund raiser, with all the money generated benefiting Random Acts.

Oakland Firefighters Random Acts was formed some three years ago as a way to provide outreach to the community and positively in people's lives. Its motto is "No Egos, Badges or Resumes," meaning the program is for everyone.

Random Acts has mentored students, paid funeral expenses for families of victims and recognized heroic citizens, to name just a few activities.

The sweetheart ball will be a celebration of this year's achievements. The event is on Saturday at the Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland. Tickets are $75. For more information, call (510) 597-5034 or visit ofrandomacts.org.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com