BREA

Officials of Lagos de Moreno, Mexico, unveiled a life-size statue of John Boyd, a longtime Brea resident who has spent more than 20 years raising money and supplies for Brea’s sister city.

Boyd was honored Aug. 5 at a surprise party in the Mexican city. Brea city officials and residents were also in attendance. The statue, sculpted by local artist Carlos Perez, stands in a park named after Brea. The path leading to the park is named for Boyd.

“I’m glad the artist took off about 20 pounds,” Boyd said with a laugh. “I was awe-struck. I was totally surprised. I mean, how do you react to something like that?”

In the last 20 years, Boyd, 57, has successfully led efforts to supply Lagos de Moreno with school buses, ambulances and trash trucks. The appreciation shown Aug. 5 made it a special day, Boyd said.

“It all happened in one day, but the most important part of the day was that my daughter presented me with a new grandson,” he said.