March
is Red Cross Month and to celebrate, the Pioneer
Valley Red Cross is honoring local hometown heroes.
There are many different ways to define what a hero
is, but the Pioneer Valley Red Cross believes that
hometown heroes are ordinary people whose
extraordinary actions inspire us every day.
This year we will dedicate a day to thank and
celebrate all our hometown heroes, those who make a
difference through the Red Cross, and other ordinary
people who have accomplished something extraordinary
in the community.
The 8th Annual Hometown Heroes Award Breakfast will
take place on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:30am at
the MassMutual Center in Springfield. We are
honoring 10 brave, committed, and passionate people
who have shown great humanitarianism and community
service.
We are especially pleased to honor teen hero, Kamau
M. St. Clair - Crawford, this year. Kamau is a
student athlete at SABIS International Charter
School. He plays varsity soccer and actively
participates in community activities including the
Baystate Medical Foundation Rays of Hope Walk. When
Kamau enrolled in a CPR and first aid course for
teens at Baystate Hospital, he never thought he’d be
using the skills he learned to save his sister’s
life. In the spring of 2009, Kamau was at home with
his mother and 5-year-old sister when his sister got
a nickel lodged in her throat and began to choke.
His mother tried the Heimlich Maneuver with no
success. Kamau then stepped in and began to
administer the Heimlich to his sister and was able
to successfully dislodge the nickel and save his
sister’s life. Kamau showed great composure under
pressure and serves as a great example for teens and
adults alike to get involved in local CPR and other
life saving skills classes.
Other 2010 Hometown Hero Honorees include:
Arnold D. Cox of Springfield, MA and wife
Frances Morales serve the youth of Springfield
through ADC Prevention Services & Associates which
offers after school programs at Springfield Housing
Authority properties, concentrating on building
self-esteem, offering lessons in violence
prevention, and nurturing dreams. The two are being
honored for their passion for and dedication to
youth in Springfield and beyond.
Bernie Gardner of
Southwick, MA is an Aircraft Maintenance Project
Manager at Bombardier Aerospace. He is being honored
for his demonstrated bravery and quick action in
saving Kelly Neal, a stranger, from choking, all
while being attacked by Neal’s German Shepherd.
Evelyn Gore, a Teacher’s Aide at Ryan Road
School and her son Grant Martin of
Northampton, MA are being honored for fighting their
way through thick black smoke to save their next
door neighbor from a fire.
Art Jasper of Springfield, MA dedicates his
time to the Springfield community through his work
with the homeless and his work on various community
Boards of Directors and committees. He is being
honored for his tireless work with the homeless and
his commitment to community service.
John A. O’Leary of Southampton, MA is a
Biologist with the Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife. He is being honored his
courageous actions in saving the life of a car wash
attendant whose scarf was caught in one of the car
wash spinners.
Jared Dennis Smith of East Longmeadow, MA is
an electrician with the Federal Aviation
Administration. He is being honored for selflessly
donating stem cells for bone marrow to a stranger in
need.
Sidney Weiner of Springfield, MA has served
the Greater Springfield community for over 50 years
as a Mason and as a Melha Shriner. He is being
honored for his invaluable community service and
dedication to blood donation.
The City of Northampton will receive special
recognition at this year’s event for the unity and
compassion displayed by the community during the
arson fires of December 2009.
We encourage you to celebrate with us as we honor
these hometown heroes. Please join The Red Cross
Pioneer Valley Chapter on our Facebook page and
share the stories of the hometown heroes in your
life. Log onto www.facebook.com/pvredcross
share your story today!
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