The tribute mural painting "Heroes Among Us," created by live performance artist David Garibaldi, was unveiled Nov. 20 in the lobby at Adventist Health and Rideout. The artwork, funded by Dave and Susan Shaw, supports ongoing community appreciation and local fundraising efforts honoring first responders, serving as a lasting symbol of support for police, fire, military, K-9 units and healthcare heroes.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Adventist Health and Rideout in Marysville welcomed a select group of dignitaries on the evening of Nov. 20 to honor first responders and celebrate the spirit of service with the unveiling of a special artwork in the hospital lobby.

Yuba City Mayor Dave Shaw and his wife, Susan, quietly spearheaded the project as it evolved into an ongoing tribute for the community. Many attending the event had not yet seen the piece in person and waited for its official unveiling. The Shaws specifically selected Adventist Health and Rideout for its public accessibility and visibility, serving as the region’s only hospital.

“We wanted something that would remind our military and the first responders in our community — especially given the year we’ve had, losing an officer — that we love and support our military and first responders,” said Shaw. “The feedback we’ve been getting from the community is phenomenal. One lady who saw it during installation came over and told us that her son is a police officer and that she really appreciated the painting. That’s the response we’re looking for — for people to be reminded that these individuals are in our community. They’re people, and we love and respect them.”

Representatives from seven beneficiary nonprofits receive recognition during the "Heroes Among Us" unveiling at Adventist Health and Rideout on Nov. 20 in Marysville. Organizations include Yuba-Sutter Back the Badge, Beale Military Liaison Council, Friends of SASA, Yuba City Firefighters Association, Trauma Intervention Program, Yuba-Sutter Foodbank and the Adventist Health Rideout Foundation.

Prior to the unveiling, invited guests were treated to a high-energy live art show by world-renowned Sacramento-based artist David Garibaldi. Garibaldi is known for his rapid, performance-style painting sessions, creating large-scale pop culture portraits on stage to music in a matter of minutes. Mayor Dave Shaw and his wife funded Garibaldi’s performance this past summer during a private dinner reception for The Event at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, an annual charity concert featuring platinum country music artist Tyler Rich.

“It only took him 10 minutes to paint it,” Shaw said. “We told him the concept, what we wanted it to embody, and he took our idea, put the artistic flair to it, and came up with the incredible painting we see today.”

Shaw said they chose this specific summer charity event to support like-minded donors and community stakeholders while raising awareness for seven local nonprofits selected to benefit from the painting. These beneficiary organizations included the Yuba-Sutter Back the Badge, Beale Military Liaison Council (BMLC), Friends of SASA (Sutter Animal Services Authority), Yuba City Firefighters Association, Yuba Sutter Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), Yuba-Sutter Foodbank, and the Adventist Health Rideout Foundation.

The finished painting, entitled “Heroes Among Us,” was revealed to the public on Nov. 20 during an exclusive reception welcoming approximately 125 guests. Attendees received individual postcards embedded with a QR code — the same QR code permanently installed next to the artwork. When scanned with a smartphone device, the feature leads to an informative website containing details on each of the seven nonprofits, donation support options, and even a video recording of Garibaldi creating the painting.

Recognition at the "Heroes Among Us" reveal: Maria Ball, executive director of the Yuba‑Sutter Foodbank, left, shares a moment with President and co-founder of Back the Badge Yuba Sutter, Stacy Runyen, right, during the unveiling on Nov. 20 at Adventist Health and Rideout in Marysville.

Just before the unveiling, Shaw invited representatives from each beneficiary nonprofit forward for recognition. Each group was gifted a small, framed print of the large artwork, signed by the artist. Following the recognitions, Shaw, his wife Susan, Adventist Health and Rideout President Chris Champlin and his wife Kim led the group to the hospital entrance, where the painting was installed. Together they uncovered the colorful and dynamic work depicting first responders across police, fire, military, K-9 units, healthcare, and service professions. Almost immediately, guests began to step forward to take photos of themselves with the painting and started donating on the spot via the QR code.

“I think this is the ultimate testament of people being committed to their community and reinvesting, both investment-wise and philanthropically trying to do the right thing,” said Mark Birtha, CEO of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento.

The Shaws’ gift is one that will keep on giving and can now be appreciated indefinitely from the lobby at Adventist Health and Rideout in Marysville. To learn more about the painting and the organizations it supports, visit rideout.give.adventisthealth.org/heroes-among-us.