OAKLAND, Calif., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Local media companies Comcast (http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com) and the Bay Area News Group (B.A.N.G.) (http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com) today honored 28 Bay Area residents for making a positive impact in their communities at the 3rd Annual Hometown Heroes ceremony. The individuals who were saluted (complete list below) have been named "Hometown Heroes" (http://www.insidebayarea.com/hometownheroes) by the two companies for making a difference in their cities and beyond, and were honored before an audience of community leaders, elected officials, special guests and their families.

Downloadable broadcast-quality B-roll video footage of the honorees and the ceremony is available at:
http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=98.

"These individuals continue to show a strong dedication and commitment to their communities by serving others and doing remarkable things," said Curt Henninger, Senior Vice President of Comcast California. "Our ongoing partnership with the Bay Area News Group gives us the opportunity to show others what being a Hometown Hero is all about and to salute some of the true leaders of the region."

"Bay Area News Group is proud to continue its partnership with Comcast in highlighting these remarkable individuals who work day in and day out to shape their communities and change lives," said Katherine Rowlands, East Bay Metro Editor, Bay Area News Group. "Whether working to stem violence, fight disease, increase educational opportunities or support members of the armed services overseas, these Hometown Heroes inspire us all with their stories of sacrifice and volunteerism. We hope this partnership will continue to raise the visibility of nonprofits and key causes throughout the East Bay, and create a spirit of giving."

The Hometown Heroes event was held from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Rotunda located at 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland. Henry Wofford, Sports Anchor for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, and Laurence Scott of NBC Bay Area's Sports Sunday and Giants Clubhouse, NBC-TV served as the Masters of Ceremonies. Elected officials were also on hand to present proclamations to the honorees, as well as tape video segments for Comcast's public affairs program, "Comcast Newsmakers".

At the ceremony, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan saluted Comcast for establishing the "Linda Crayton Internship Program," which will give four deserving high school seniors the opportunity to intern for the telecommunications company as part of the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program. The "Linda Crayton Internship Program" is named after Linda Crayton, Comcast California's Senior Director of Government Relations, to recognize her nearly three decades of work in government affairs and her dedicated commitment to minority communities.

The "Hometown Heroes" partnership aims to highlight people in the community who are remarkable individuals, encourage volunteerism, and raise the visibility of local nonprofits and key causes. In its third year, the "Hometown Heroes" partnership between the two media companies is designed to recognize individuals in the Bay Area that are making a positive impact in their community, yet go unrecognized. Every other Monday, all of the B.A.N.G. publications (with the exception of the Mercury News and the Marin Independent Journal) publish a feature article on a "Hometown Hero" and their community efforts, and also encourage the publication's readers to learn more about the Hero by viewing video segments via Comcast's On Demand platform.

To learn more about the honorees in your area, visit the Hometown Heroes website at http://www.insidebayarea.com/hometownheroes.


    Hometown Heroes (by city of residence)
    -------------------------------------

    NAME                          CITY OF RESIDENCE
    ----                          -----------------
    Shirley Marchetti             Antioch
    Josie Monaghan                Antioch
    John Farman                   Brentwood
    Pamela and Bill Doheney       Brentwood
    Sue  James                    Dublin
    Fredrick Pugh                 Fremont
    Anna Wang                     Fremont
    Chuck Horner                  Hayward
    Kari McCallister              Hayward
    Bob Athayde                   Lafayette
    Dan Reynolds                  Martinez
    Marty Turcios                 Martinez
    Shirley Sisk                  Newark
    Pastor Zachary Carey          Oakland
    Cesar Cruz                    Oakland
    Kristie Holohan               Oakland
    Fred Schau                    Oakley
    Veronica Pope                 Pittsburg
    Cindy and Eric Everson        Pleasanton
    Diego Garcia                  Richmond
    Toody Maher                   Richmond
    Chris Finn                    San Leandro
    Peggy Santa Maria             San Lorenzo
    Mike Conkline                 San Ramon
    Jim Meservy                   Tracy
    Michelle Monhart              Walnut Creek

About Bay Area News Group

Bay Area News Group is powered by MediaNews Group (www.medianewsgroup.com), one of the largest newspaper companies in the United States situated throughout California, the Rocky Mountain region and the Northeast. We are privately owned and operate nearly 60 daily newspapers in 13 states with combined daily and Sunday circulation of approximately 2.6 million and 2.9 million, respectively. Each of our newspapers maintains a Web site focused on local news content. These Web sites are hosted by MediaNews Group Digital and are aggregated along with our content under the umbrella site www.newschoice.com.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

SOURCE Comcast