- Bruce Barton named “Overall Community Hero” for a lifetime of courageous service, from saving lives to leading disaster response efforts.
- Kat Locke Jones selected as “Above & Beyond Hero,” and seven-year-old Ronnie Munro earns “Up & Coming Hero” honors.
- The trio will receive VIP experiences during The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA NASCAR weekend, June 12-14.
LONG POND, Pa. (May 7, 2026) –Pocono Raceway, in partnership with Members 1st Federal Credit Union, has named three inspiring community heroes who will receive VIP experiences at The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA NASCAR weekend set for June 12-14.
The nominated community heroes represent extraordinary selflessness across three distinct areas: disaster response, youth mental health and service to the elderly. Bruce Barton was named the “Overall Community Hero” while Kat Locke Jones was selected as the “Above & Beyond Hero” and seven-year-old Ronnie Munro as the “Up & Coming Hero.”
“At Members 1st, we believe strong communities are built by people who care deeply about others,” said Michael Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union. “Whether it is braving dangerous conditions, offering steady kindness to a neighbor or turning personal loss into hope for those who are struggling, Bruce, Ronnie and Kat each live out that belief in powerful ways. We are grateful for their compassion and proud to recognize the lasting impact they are making in the lives of others.”
Barton will receive a pair of NASCAR Cup Series garage & pit passes, Sunday Terrace Club tickets, Saturday 300 Level tickets and Friday General Admission tickets for race weekend, along with a $500 Visa card from Members 1st Federal Credit Union. Locke Jones and Munro will receive the same package, excluding garage and pit access.
The three recipients were selected through a month-long initiative in which fans nominated deserving heroes in their communities at PoconoRaceway.com. Each submission included a brief description (500 words or less) outlining why the nominee deserved recognition.
“Our fans have always been at the heart of what makes Pocono Raceway special, and this program gives us the opportunity to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the everyday heroes within those communities,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said. “Bruce, Kat and Ronnie each represent the very best of selflessness, compassion and service, and we’re honored to celebrate their incredible impact during our NASCAR weekend.”
Barton has spent the past 54 years leading search-and-rescue missions and disaster response efforts, saving lives both across the globe and in his own community. He served on the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) rescue mission following the 1988 Armenia earthquake, coordinated K-9 recovery efforts at Fresh Kills after 9/11, and led more than two months of search operations following Hurricane Katrina. His canine partners alone have located more than 150 individuals over the years.
Barton also has made courageous life-saving efforts, including rescuing two young men trapped in raging floodwaters near Stroudsburg (Pa.) High School, locating a missing family after a plane crash and saving lost hikers in freezing conditions.
Locke Jones was honored for her impact on youth mental health after losing her brother, Sean, to depression in 2018. She and her family founded SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation and transformed her brother’s Delaware home into a youth mental health support center for those battling anxiety and depression. Since 2019, the foundation has impacted more than 110,000 kids, helped save 214 lives and raised $750,000 this year alone through the SL24 Basketball Classic. The foundation’s reach extends across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and beyond.
In addition to her non-profit work, Locke Jones is an award-winning educator who was named Baltimore City Schools Teacher of the Year and Maryland State Teacher of the Year, earning both honors in 2024.
Munro was named the “Up & Coming Hero” for his dedication to the needs of an elderly neighbor in his family’s apartment complex.
His neighbor, Sharon, who had suffered multiple strokes, received support from family and care workers, but the home-schooled youngster provided something more through a meaningful and growing friendship. He offers companionship, whether playing cards or helping around the house, and regularly helps prepare and cook fresh meals for her at least once a week.
The three winners and their guests will enjoy the NASCAR weekend beginning with the ARCA Menards Series 150 on Friday, June 12 (3 p.m. ET), followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA on Saturday, June 13 (4 p.m.). The weekend culminates with The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA on Sunday, June 14 (3 p.m.).Top of Form
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For more information on the NASCAR race weekend or to purchase tickets, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.
About Members 1st Federal Credit Union
Members 1st Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution with over 625,000 members, including nearly 25,000 business members, and $8 billion in assets. With its administrative headquarters based in Enola, PA, Members 1st serves its members and communities through its network of nearly 60 branch locations throughout Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming, Northampton, Perry, Union and York counties, as well as its robust digital banking and call center channels. To learn more about Members 1st, visit members1st.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
About Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway, also known as ‘The Tricky Triangle,’ is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In business for over 60 years, the Raceway hosts multiple, national motorsports events including the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series events. The facility’s calendar also consists of over 300 events including Elements Music & Arts Festival and a wide range of entertainment events, car clubs and racing schools. Pocono Raceway is recognized as the world’s first, privately-owned solar-powered sports facility. Their 25-acre, three-megawatt solar farm provides the energy needs of the Raceway, as well as, adds electricity to the local power grid. Each member of our raceway staff is committed to creating exciting experiences and lifelong memories. For more information, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.
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