Bay News 9 anchor Al Ruechel has been honored with the inaugural Al Ruechel Lifetime of Service Award from the Heart Gallery of Pinellas-Pasco. 

  • Bay News 9 anchor Al Ruechel honored by Heart Gallery of Pinellas-Pasco
  • Ruechel awarded lifetime achievement for tireless efforts to help foster care children
  • Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco works to find adoptive parents and homes for foster children
  • Pinellas-Pasco Heart Gallery

The gala committee honored Ruechel for his tireless efforts to help foster care children living in the Bay area. Ruechel was honored Thursday night during an Heart Gallery event at Tropicana Field. 

The mission of the Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco is to increase the number of successful adoptions of local children in foster care. In addition to featuring children, we recruit and support families interested in adoption.

"(Al), you have shone a bright light on the beauty of bringing children and families together," said Jen Nance, Heart Gallery Executive Director. "We’ve celebrated with you through many adoptions and events. 

"You have also used your own family’s story to inform, educate and encourage other families to do the same."