by Bill Shaw

This feature is a continuation of the "Front of the Pack" column in the April 2003 issue of Runner Triathlete News. To get the full scoop on the many sides of Lisa Foronda, pick up a copy of the April issue of Runner Triathlete News. Subscribe to RTN today!

When Lisa Foronda pulled all-day duty with co-anchor Greg Hurst on Saturday, February 1, to report the tragedy of the space shuttle Columbia on KHOU-TV in Houston, she was not just there to read breaking news and narrate video tape. Though she was born in Nashville, Tennessee and educated in Florida, Foronda calls Houston her home and has a passion for her adopted city. When she's not preparing for her newscasts or sitting in front of the television camera at 5:00 and 10:00 p. m. for Channel 11 news or out running and training for races, she is running around the community serving a variety of organizations.

Foronda has strong opinions about media responsibility to the community.

"Our station should be involved in the community because we are a community station," says Foronda. "We wouldn't be here without support from our viewers, and it's only natural that the station would want to give back by being involved with them, either by helping televise a food drive or by having its employees volunteer."

One of Foronda's community activities is Taping for the Blind, which provides radio broadcasts of current newspapers and other publications.

"I read Sports Illustrated every week and do a half hour Pet Show with selections from cat, dog, and bird magazines."

Foronda also delivers Meals on Wheels every Friday and serves as a volunteer for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals when she is needed.

She has also been active in the Sylvan Rodriguez Foundation, named for the late KHOU anchor Sylvan Rodriguez, a cancer victim. She served as race director for the third annual Sylvan Rodriguez Downtown 5K Run/Walk in 2001.

Foronda's volunteer spirit goes beyond the responsibility of the television station; she is personally motivated to give time to the community.

"We have all had some share of good fortune, and I believe it's our responsibility to share that with others, and what better way to do that than by giving the gift of time?" says Foronda.

Lisa Foronda--TV news anchor, runner, and community activist.