The American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter is pleased to announce its annual Nissan Heroes Luncheon presented by Ascend Federal Credit Union raised over $150,000 to support the organization’s mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering. The luncheon took place on Tuesday, March 13, 2025, at the Middle Tennessee State University Student Union Ballroom and was attended by around 400 individuals.

Red Cross Board Chair Ginny Williams, along with Board Vice-Chair Robert Coggin highlighted the impact the Red Cross has had across the 16 counties that make up the chapter’s footprint.Two local teenagers, Madison Dempsay and Gabriel Sutherland, were awarded the Lifesaving Award for their actions while working at the North Rutherford YMCA in January 2024. In responding to a “Code Blue,” the pair found a woman in distress lying at the end of a treadmill and immediately sprang into action. After noting the woman’s pulse was weak and her breathing shallow, Dempsay began performing CPR while Sutherland applied the pads of an AED. Thanks to their quick action, the teens were able to help save the woman’s life while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.Dr. Gloria Bonner was recognized as the 2025 Hero. Dr. Bonner’s extensive service throughout the Murfreesboro community has left a lasting impression on all those she’s worked with. She reflected on childhood memories of the Red Cross helping families in times of emergencies and the humanity that the organization brought to emergency responses. As an adult, blood donations proved lifesaving for her as she battled cancer three times over the past 13 years. Throughout her battles with cancer, Dr. Bonner continued to support the Red Cross and many other local organizations. When talking about her motivation to supporting her community she shared, “My parents gave me a gift of service to others by modeling it for me.”

Interim Co-Director and Associate Director of Facilities at MTSU Campus Recreation, Ray Wiley was recognized during this year’s luncheon as the Volunteer Spotlight for his ongoing support of the Red Cross. In an on-stage interview with journalist Nick Paranjape, Wiley recalled first becoming involved with the Red Cross as a teenager taking a lifeguard training course, which led him to becoming a health and safety instructor himself. Wiley credits these Red Cross training courses for providing the skills that proved lifesaving when his son began choking as toddler. In 2005, Ray worked with the Red Cross to train his staff and certify the MTSU Recreation Center as a disaster shelter, housing 447 evacuees during Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Today, Wiley chairs the annual “100 Miles of Hope” blood drive, a friendly blood drive battle held against football rival Western Kentucky University. The drive has collected thousands of blood donations since its inception in 2010.

While on stage, Wiley stressed the need for local volunteers and highlighted that there are volunteer opportunities available for any skill set and that there are in-person and virtual opportunities available. To find out more information about volunteering locally with the Red Cross, contact Nicki Festervand at nicki.festervand@redcross.org.

The 2024 Heroes Luncheon was held March 5 at Middle Tennessee State University and raised $120,862 to support the organization’s mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering.The chapter honored Ernest Burgess. Burgess, a lifelong resident of Rutherford County and former mayor, who has dedicated his life to fostering growth and prosperity in the community.Long-time volunteer Mary Nichols was also honored for her dedication to serving others and her many deployments since 2018.