• by Tanya Gazdik , December 2, 2020

Mazda North American Operations is highlighting 50 people who have done heroic things for their communities during a difficult year.

Those chosen to be part of the “Mazda Heroes: Honoring The Human Spirit” program will each receive a Mazda MX-5 Miata 100th Anniversary Special Edition vehicle.

Among the heroes are young adults who created free grocery delivery services for those at high risk of contracting the virus, community members partnering with local restaurants to provide free meals to healthcare workers, and musicians creating curbside concerts for the senior community who had to remain indoors.

The automaker enlisted "Good Morning America" for a 7-minute sponsored segment to reveal several of the recipients Wednesday morning. A 30-second program overview video introduces several more heroes. 

Long-form videos are also being used to tell their stories, like that of teacher Triana Davis, who at the height of the pandemic, created and personally delivered a custom curriculum to her students.

Jason Erdreich, another teacher, gathered a team of people with 3-D printers to help make over 12,000 pieces of PPE and other cost-effective equipment needed for shifting to back-to-school teaching environments.

Another recipient, Christine Purviance, is an ICU nurse who goes above and beyond to aid COVID-19 patients in their darkest and sometimes final hours. She brings in photos of their families and helps them video chat with one another, leaves sticky notes of encouragement, and comforts their loved ones.

The remainder of the winners are set to be announced throughout the month of December and honored with a special ceremony in their local community.

The initiative was created by Mazda to "shine a light on individuals across the country who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to their communities throughout 2020 and acknowledge the impact their efforts have made on those around them."

The promotion brings to life the brand’s "deeply held value of omotenashi," the Japanese culture of putting other’s needs first, says MNAO President Jeff Guyton.