Ulysis Baal '19

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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Ulysis Baal '19 started grocery shopping for seniors in his Bakersfield, Calif., neighborhood, his only goal was to help those in need. He could not have known how his effort would galvanize those around him and how his generosity of spirit would come full circle.

"Towards the end of 2020, my sister nominated me to be a Mazda Hero through a campaign that highlights local community heroes across America," said Baal. "Mazda hired VICE Media to come to Bakersfield to shoot a 3-minute documentary about Relief Shoppers, a volunteer organization that I founded at the start of the pandemic. At the end of the shoot, my sister and Mazda surprised me with an incredible gift. I was then able to pay the blessing forward to my parents, the most deserving people I know!"

View the inspirational Mazda Heroes video here and see the Relief Shoppers website for links to some of the other coverage the organization has received.