The American Red Cross North Central Pennsylvania Chapter presented Hero Awards during a special breakfast reception held at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport on Thursday, April 25. Award recipients included:
Hero Award – Military
Richard Donald – A WWII Veteran with a decorated career dedicated to education and advocacy.
Hero Award – Military
Bob Smith – A Purple Heart recipient, this Vietnam Veteran tours the region educating students on the conflict; leading Honor Guards, and commanding the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Hero Award – Military Support
K9 Hero Haven – a US Military and Service dog adoption and rehabilitation center focused on reuniting dogs with their handlers post-deployment.
Hero Award – Military Support
Sew What Quilts – local group of volunteers who meet monthly, sewing and crafting quilts for local veterans.
Hero Award – Military Support
Sarah Mahoney – A Gold Award Girl Scout who, upon completion of her service project – relocation of the WWII Memorial at the Lewisburg High School - went on to secure a proclamation from the Pennsylvania State House coining November at Veteran Awareness Month.
Hero Award – Firefighter
Chief Todd Heckman of the Williamsport Bureau of Fire was off-duty when he selflessly responded to a nearby fire rescuing a woman from her burning home.
Community Impact Award – Biomed
Ann Marie Furdock & Penn College – organizer and host of countless blood drives and Red Cross advocacy work. Their efforts have yielded increased donations of lifesaving blood.
Community Impact Award – Humanitarian
Dan Stuter, a licensed tractor trailer driver whose efforts during Hurricane Florence resulted in multiple truckloads of supplies being delivered to impacted residents of the Carolinas.
Hero Award – Emergency Response Services
North Towanda, Towanda, and Wysox Fire Departments have collaborated with community support and encouragement to provide protection of life and property for residents of all three areas.
Hero Award – Emergency Response Services
UPMC Susquehanna on behalf of Gwen Gummo, Mike Betts, Al Scott, and Brianna Welter. This team collectively saved an unresponsive patient in late 2018.
Hero Award – Life Saving Award
Liz Mahoney, a nurse who, while traveling with her daughter, witnessed a tragic accident. Immediately Ms. Mahoney went into action and provided lifesaving care, ultimately saving the patient.
Hero Award – Lifesaving Award
Pennsylvania State Troopers James Dughi & Kevin Kugler
While en route to a routine event, Troopers Dughi & Kugler came upon flooded waterway. Their heroic actions on this day ultimately resulted in the rescue of multiple members of a family.