Over 250 people gather at Waller Park for the inaugural Joey De Anda Memorial 5k Fun Run

ORCUTT, Calif. -- Over 250 people participated in the inaugural Joey De Anda Memorial 5k Fun Run at Waller Park this Saturday in Orcutt.

Santa Barbara County Firefighter De Anda, passed away in an off-duty skiing accident in Fresno on January 8th, 2022.

His Fiance Melissa Newman, a former journalist for both KEYT and KSBY, organized the memorial run to remember De Anda for his ample work across the Central Coast.

Hundreds of runners with light blue shirts and angel wings on their backs, came together in Orcutt today to honor De Anda. He reached many people throughout his 33 years of life.

De Anda managed to become a "kid reporter" for KCOY-12 before graduating high school and heading to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a degree in broadcast journalism.

He went on to work as an ambulance paramedic, then as a helicopter paramedic, all while being the first in his family to graduate college.

Runners I spoke to today, say De Anda accomplished many career goals in his short life.

He worked for CalFire and accomplished to reach his dream job at the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

There, he left a great impact and the department decided to honor him with an award named after him, the "Joey De Anda Biggest Heart Award”.

De Anda left an imprint in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County so great, he received a street named after him Avila Beach.

Friends said they will never forget his smile, positive attitude, and most of all his big heart.