Dave Lopez named grand marshal of Walk for Life
DOWNEY - Dave Lopez, a reporter for CBS2 and KCAL9, has been named grand marshal of the second annual Walk for Life taking place Sept. 10 at Stonewood Center. The event is a fundraiser for the Amazing Day Foundation, which works to prevent suicide among college students. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and the Laker Girls will lead a pre-walk stretch at 7:40 a.m. There is no fee to register but donations are encouraged. Lopez participated in last year's inaugural walk, emceeing the closing ceremonies. Lopez has been a pillar of the local journalism community over the last 30 years, earning eight Emmy Awards and recognition from the Radio and Television News Directors Association and an Associated Press award for his coverage of the 1988 Redondo Beach Pier fire. A Southern California native, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Cal State Los Angeles. He worked as a sportswriter for the Huntington Park Daily Signal before transitioning to TV news. "The Amazing Day Foundation is honored that the role of grand marshal has been filled by Lopez," said executive director Bob Feliciano. Also confirmed for the walk are the Laker Girls, which will lead participants in a pre-walk stretch at 7:40 a.m. Registration for the walk is free but donations are encouraged. All walkers need to register either online or on-site starting at 6:30 a.m. Donors who contribute $50 or more receive a free T-shirt. Following the walk, the foundation will host a second fundraiser at the Chili's restaurant at Downey Landing. The restaurant will donate 15 percent of a check to the foundation when customers present a flier, which will be available at the walk. The Amazing Day Foundation was formed after Sean Vernon Feliciano, a lifelong Downey resident, took his life in March of 2009 while attending UC Santa Barbara. The foundation works to provide mental health services to college students who may be contemplating suicide. For more information regarding the walk, call Bob Feliciano at (562) 869-0660 or e-mail bob@amazingdayfoundation.org.