Hometown Heroes Presented by Germania Insurance
Celebrating Everyday Texans Making an Extraordinary Difference
For more than 130 years, Germania Insurance has been rooted in the values of community, service, and reliability. Founded in Brenham, Texas in 1896, Germania has proudly served Texas families and businesses with auto, home, farm, and life insurance while remaining committed to the people and communities that make the Lone Star State strong.
Hometown Heroes presented by Germania Insurance is a six-episode branded docuseries celebrating everyday Texans who are quietly making extraordinary differences in their communities. From small towns across the state, each episode highlights a community leader whose story reflects service, resilience, and deep Texas roots.
The series is hosted by Orlando Mendez-Valdez, a Mexican-American basketball legend from San Antonio’s Lanier High School, former FIBA international player representing Mexico, and current General Manager of the NBA G League’s Mexico City Capitanes. Through this series, Orlando Mendez-Valdez helps share the stories of unsung heroes whose impact is felt most in the communities they call home.
As part of the series, Germania Insurance surprised each Hometown Hero with a $1,000 donation to their nonprofit of choice, reinforcing the belief that the people who take care of their communities deserve to have someone take care of them.
Meet the Hometown Heroes
Orlando Mendez-Valdez, Pipe Creek
A former Texas basketball legend and current GM of the NBA G League’s Mexico City Capitanes, Orlando Mendez-Valdez has expanded his career beyond the court into real estate and property investments in Texas. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Slam Dunk For Life, an organization providing youth in San Antonio with opportunities to learn life skills on and off the court, as well as receive guidance and healthcare.
Laurie Lyng, Padre Island
Laurie Lyng is the Founder of Sea Pines Beach Clean Up Crew, an official Texas Adopt-a-Beach group that began as a family initiative and has grown into a monthly coastal conservation tradition powered by youth volunteers along the Coastal Bend. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Sea Pines Beach Clean Up Crew.
Coach Justin Pollard, Richmond
Coach Justin Pollard serves as President of Lamar Little League and head coach of the All-Star team that made the 2025 Little League World Series. His mission extends beyond baseball, focusing on molding young people into model citizens who give back to their communities. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Lamar Little League.
Kimberly Ratcliff, Oakwood
A former Bloomberg Wall Street executive who returned to her family’s 2,500-acre East Texas ranch, Kimberly Ratcliff built Ratcliff Premium Meats and Ratcliff Community Base Organization, a nonprofit empowering Black producers and local youth through sustainable agriculture. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Ratcliff CBO.
Coach Kevin Hoffman, Mart
After 34 years leading Mart High School’s football program to three consecutive UIL state championships from 2017 through 2019, Coach Kevin Hoffman helped build one of the most storied small-school programs in Texas. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Mart ISD, which helps feed the student population.
Emily Simpson, Kerrville
Alongside her mother and founder, Chef Debby Stein, Emily Simpson helps lead Cartewheels Catering, an upscale Hill Country catering company that responded to the Guadalupe River flood by baking homemade desserts for neighbors in crisis. Germania’s $1,000 donation goes to Ingram Warrior Homes, an organization empowering high school students with skills in the building trades through real-world construction projects.
Watch the Series
Visit the Germania Insurance YouTube Channel to watch every episode of Hometown Heroes and discover the stories of Texans who are creating lasting impact in their communities.
