KENMORE, WA – Steven Degroot, the homeless man who interrupted a robbery at the Town Market in Kenmore, Wa on February 24th, has been nominated for the Carnegie Hero Award by local businessman and philanthropist Carl Haglund. Degroot was living with his wife in a tent behind the Town Market last February when a man with a knife attacked a clerk working at the store. His wife heard the attack and called for help. Mr. Degroot entered the store and subdued the attacker. The victim was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition but survived the attack.
Degroot’s actions attracted the attention of several Seattle media outlets which ran stories on the attack and Degroot’s heroic response. Those media stories caught the eye of Haglund who contacted Degroot and his wife and offered them 6 months of free housing at one of his apartment complexes where they are currently living.
Mr. Haglund has now nominated Degroot for the prestigious Carnegie Hero Award. According to the Carnegie Fund Commission, the award was created “to recognize persons who perform acts of heroism in civilian life in the United States and Canada and to provide financial assistance to those disabled and the dependents of those killed helping others.”
According to Haglund, “When I saw the story on the news I wanted to help. I knew this young couple was homeless, so I gave them a place to live. Mr. Degroot risked his life to help our community and I wanted to do something to help him. He really is a hero, I believe the Carnegie Foundation will see what I see, and also step up to help this family.”
For his part, Degroot does not see himself as a hero, but he is honored to be nominated. “I don’t think of myself as a hero. I just did what anyone else would do in a similar situation. But, I am honored that Mr. Haglund would nominate me for this award.”
Haglund announced the nomination through his recently created Carl Haglund Foundation, which was established to improve the quality of life for communities in the great Puget Sound area. “The Puget Sound is a region of unique beauty and world class innovation, rich with history. Our foundation will work to ensure it remains one of the most livable and prosperous places on Earth,” said Haglund.
Carnegie Hero Fund: http://www.carnegiehero.org/
Fox 13 story: https://q13fox.com/2020/02/24/clerk-suspect-stabbed-at-kenmore-convenience-store/
– Carl Haglund Foundation
