Firefighter dedicated to preventing tragedies after father's nightclub fire death

In Kentucky, Acey Longley has dedicated his life to serving his community, driven by a profound personal tragedy. Longley was honored as a Red Cross Youth Good Samaritan Hero at the age of 9 after he established an organization called Beats, aimed at collecting gifts for sick children in hospitals. He launched this initiative in memory of his father, Ty Longley, who tragically lost his life in a nightclub fire in Rhode Island in 2003, an incident that claimed 100 lives and injured over 200. Acey, who was not yet born at the time, expressed deep emotional struggles growing up without his father, feeling isolated while witnessing other students interact with their fathers. His father's story became a catalyst for his commitment to help others by engaging in philanthropy, particularly in his hometowns of Joliet and Plainfield. Not only did Acey collect gifts, but he also raised money to support children in Haiti. As he matured, Acey felt compelled to broaden his impact and joined the firefighting profession over a year ago. He embraced this path with a clear goal: to ensure that no family experiences a loss similar to his own. Today, Acey views his role as a firefighter as an opportunity to enhance community safety and to bring hope to those in distress. His journey exemplifies the spirit of resilience and dedication to humanitarian service, making him a role model in his community. Through firefighting, Acey continues to honor his father's memory while focusing on saving lives and making a difference. For those wishing to learn more about recognizing everyday heroes, the Red Cross offers ways to nominate individuals for their impactful contributions through their Heroes initiative.