La-Z-Boy honors lifesaving driver with Helping Hand Award

Hugo Peña helped neighbor in distress

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 26, 2011

La-Z-Boy delivery driver Hugo Peña, right, attends the Helping Hand Award ceremony with Ed Ross, who is recovering from a heart attack thanks to Peña’s help, and Ross’ wife, Leona.

SAN DIEGO — La-Z-Boy driver Hugo Peña was delivering furniture in Chula Vista, Calif., on June 15 when he saw that his customer's neighbor had collapsed. The neighbor, Ed Ross, was unconscious and alone in his front yard, suffering from heart failure.

Peña checked on Ross, alerted his family and called 911, then stayed with Ross until the paramedics arrived. Thanks to Peña's quick and calculated response, Ross is now at home making a full recovery.

La-Z-Boy honored Peña, of Garden Grove, Calif., with its national Helping Hand Award in a ceremony July 22 at the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store at 1640 Camino de la Reina in San Diego. He received a piece of La-Z-Boy furniture of his choice.

Ed Ross and his wife, Leona, attended the event honoring Peña. Ross was given a La-Z-Boy Woodmont chair as a "get well" gift.

"Hugo went above and beyond the call of customer service when he rushed to Ed's side," said Mark Bacon, president of La-Z-Boy branded business. "He truly embodies the characteristics that La-Z-Boy values, and we are proud to honor his high standard of customer service with the
La-Z-Boy Helping Hand Award."

"Since he began making deliveries for us a little over a year ago, Hugo has consistently impressed us with his hard work ethic and exceptional customer service," said Elaine Marlow, store manager of the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in San Diego. "In fact, after paramedics took Ed away in an ambulance, Hugo returned to work and completed 17 additional deliveries that day."

Also present at the event were Deputy Fire Chief Rick Brand of the Chula Vista Fire Department, who spoke about the importance of citizen first responders, and John Liken, chairperson of the Chula Vista Safety Commission, who thanked Peña on behalf of the community. Members of the San Diego Fire Department also were in attendance.