While on his shift as a park Ranger at Chestnut Ridge Park, a park guest named Julie asked Riley if he could find her dog, Morty, who managed to get free from his leash. Julie explained that Morty ran into a steep ravine and would not come when called, and with a broken arm, Julie was in no condition to scale the ravine herself. Riley bravely made his way into the ravine and found Morty in a 2ft puddle of water half a mile from where Julie was. With no leash, Riley carried 80-pound Morty back to Julie, reuniting the two. The rescue inspired Riley to adopt a furry friend of his own, Hemi, from the Erie County SPCA. Riley’s willingness to help a furry friend is what makes him a Real Hero.

During natural disasters, the need for blood is even greater to meet the needs of those injured by the storm, fire, or in Buffalo’s case, blizzard. When Buffalo and its surrounding areas were pummeled with snow, gale-force winds, and freezing temperatures over Christmas, the Blood Transportation Volunteers of the WNY Red Cross were imperative to ensuring hospitals had blood to treat existing patients and those injured in the weather. John, Dean, Dave, and Tony each braved the impassable roads and worked in collaboration with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to come up with creative solutions to get the life-saving blood products to area hospitals while snow was still being cleared from roads. John, Dean, Dave, and Tony’s unwavering commitment to delivering lifesaving blood products is what makes them this year’s Blood Services Real Heroes.

As early as 2014, Drea dreamed of a food pantry that served more than canned or close-to-expiring food and met the needs of families with religious food restrictions. When COVID-19 hit the Buffalo community, Drea saw that the need for the food pantry in her mind was critical, and she founded Feed Buffalo, Inc. - the only Halal food pantry in WNY. In 2022, the pantry delivered over 185,000 pounds of organic food to local families through a group of volunteer couriers. Since opening its doors, Feed Buffalo, Inc. has evolved into a community center as well, providing critical support to the East Side Community following the 5/14 massacre and 2022 Blizzard. In addition to food delivery, the Massachusetts Avenue headquarters has a piano for aspiring artists, a healing center for yoga or meditation, and hosts cooking demos and food-budgeting classes. Drea saw an unmet need in her community and has not only filled it, but expanded the services her food bank offers, making her a Real Hero.

The entire Buffalo community mourned alongside the Arno family, who lost Jason Arno in the line of duty as a Buffalo Firefighter last March. When Arno declared a mayday while trying to exit the burning building that took his life, Fire Fighter Walter Majtyka entered the building twice without hesitation to attempt to rescue Arno from the blaze. Majtyka demonstrated his heroic nature once again this past July. While responding to a fire on Mills St., Majtyka pulled a man from the burning home, saving his life. Firefighting is a family tradition for Wally, his father was a Buffalo firefighter for 32 years, and now both him and his sister, Wendy, are career firefighters. Walter’s dedication to his career has continued to put him in scenarios where the life of another is at stake, and he continues to show the humanity and courage that it takes to be a Real Hero when faced with these situations.

None of us enjoy “eventful” commutes, but the combat veteran who ran into Chuck Prentice this past Memorial Day may disagree. LeRoy Ambulance EMT Chuck Prentice crossed paths with the veteran when he was returning from a funeral for a fellow service member when a tractor trailer rear ended his car. When Chuck arrived in the ambulance, he was grateful to see the veteran and his service dog were unharmed, but they had no way to get home to Massachusetts. In an incredible act of selflessness, Chuck and his co-worker drove the veteran to a rental car place where Chuck paid for his rental fare. As a Gulf War Veteran himself, Chuck says he just wanted to “help a brother out.” His generous actions and humbleness are what make him a Real Hero. 

Do desperate times call for desperate measures, or heroic actions? Jay made headlines last December when he broken into a Cheektowaga elementary school to take shelter from the deadly conditions wrought by Buffalo’s historic blizzard. Jay had left the comfort of his home to search for a friend stranded in the white-out before getting stuck in the elements himself. While walking door-to-door begging to be taken in for the night, Jay came across two others stranded in the shroud of snow. After taking cover in Jay’s truck, he realized the school was a short distance away. After gaining access to the building by smashing a window and leaving his two companions to warm up, Jay braved the conditions once more to find others who were trapped in the snow, leading them back to the school for warmth and food. Jay managed to save more than 20 people that night. And he was even considerate enough to leave a note apologizing for the damage, signing it “Merry Christmas, Jay”, his now-famous moniker. Jay’s bravery and selflessness is what makes him a Real Hero.

It’s near impossible to find hope and inspiration from childhood cancer, but 9-year-old Sophia Benintende managed to figure out a way to do it before passing away from Ewing’s Sarcoma in May 2023. Sophia was diagnosed with the rare cancer at age 7, going back-and-forth from hospitals across the state before entering remission over a year later. While in remission, Sophia was a tenacious advocate and fundraiser for childhood cancer patients and families. In 2022, her inaugural Lemonade Stand fundraiser raised $7,000 for the Shine Gold for Childhood Cancer Campaign and she successfully petitioned Mayor Byron Brown to declare September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Buffalo. Before her cancer returned, Sophia founded Sophia the Fierce, Inc., a nonprofit born out of her desire to help children and families affected by childhood cancer like her and her family. The nonprofit is guided by 3 pillars: Respite, Research, and Relief. Today, Sophia’s mom, Kristina, keeps the charity and Sophia's memory alive, bringing some hope and inspiration to a fate that seems to have none. Sophia’s vibrance, advocacy and passion while she lived, and the legacy she left with her family makers her a Real Hero.

First responders will tell you there is no such thing as a routine call, and that could not be more true for our Law Enforcement Heroes. While executing a warrant at a residence with Deputy Jones and Sergeant Lincoln, Deputy Retzlaff came across an individual who was unresponsive and bleeding out on the kitchen floor. Sergeant Lincoln quickly found a towel to press on the victim’s neck wound to staunch the bleeding, and Deputy Jones called Emergency Medical Services. The three deputies continued to provide lifesaving care for almost 15 minutes until EMS arrived. Erie County Police Chief Daniel Grasso summarizes “[While] performing a routine duty which became a crisis situation, these Deputies responded with professionalism, compassion and dedication born from a commitment to that motto ‘To Serve and Protect’.” That is why they are this year’s Law Enforcement Real Heroes.

What began as a tour of one of Lockport’s well-known attractions quickly turned south when a tour boat capsized in the canal of the Lockport Caves, leaving 28 people in five and a half feet of 55-degree water. The Lockport Police and Fire Departments were swift in arriving at the scene and leading several other specialty agencies during the rescue. Without hesitation, the first responding units from the police and fire departments began rescue operations to extract victims from the chilly water inside the dark cave. Meanwhile outside, fire and police personnel used sledgehammers to breach the cave wall to make a closer entryway for first responders to reach the passengers still struggling to keep their heads above water. Thanks to the swift actions and teamwork between the Departments, and other rescue crews lead by the Lockport Fire and Police Departments, the lives of many were saved – making these groups this year’s Lifeline Real Heroes.

The “angels in orange” arrived in full force on a late summer night in Freedom, NY, when a head-on collision left three individuals in need of helicopter transport by Mercy Flight Crews across the Western New York Area. Mercy Flight Crew 6 (based in Olean), Crew 9 (based in Buffalo) and Crew 8 (based in Batavia) all worked together to provide lifesaving care to the three victims while transporting them to the closest hospitals that could provide the remaining care they needed. Without the flight crews’ specialized training, teamwork and presence in the area it is uncertain if the victims would have survived, which is why they are this year’s Medical Real Heroes.

When a civilian thinks of members of the military, they may be quick to envision combat soldiers on overseas deployments. But there are many honorable members of our armed forces who do the work that needs doing right here at home; like specialist Manuel D. Cruz, a National Guardsman from Ellicottville, NY. While driving home in the blizzard conditions that blanketed Western New York on Christmas Eve after his shift with the National Guard, Cruz encountered multiple civilians stranded in their cars, unable to move. Each of these people needed medical attention, so Cruz drove as many of them to the hospital as he could. The impassable road conditions were no match for Cruz’s perseverance. When he could no longer navigate the snowy streets with his car, Cruz did not hesitate to carry a man in cardiac arrest to the hospital through the blizzard to get him the medical care he needed. The National Guard motto is “always ready, always there,” and Specialist Cruz proved the Guard is always there to those in need that night, which is why he is a Real Hero.

Some of us may find there to be nothing more mundane than a garbage run; but one couple on Josh and Sporty’s pick-up route for Modern Disposal would disagree. While on their regular route, one of their clients collapsed trying to pick up his recycling bin. Seeing his struggle, Josh and Sporty immediately ran to his aid, helping him off the curb, calling 911, and sitting with him until help arrived. It’s reassuring to know that someone you interact with every day, no matter how inconsequential they may seem, can be willing to help a hand when you are in need. Josh and Sporty stepped up immediately while they were on the job, which is why they are this year’s Workplace Safety Heroes.