Hometown Heroes honored for extraordinary feats
A hero isn't the comic book version of a superpower in a flowing cape. Rather, a hero is a regular person who answers the call to do something extraordinary for the benefit of others.
These everyday heroes were celebrated on April 8, as the American Red Cross held its seventh annual Hometown Heroes awards banquet at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center.
"We hear great stories of tremendous things done in the counties of Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Harrison," said Chad Conrad, director of the Muskingum Lakes chapter, on the honoring of local heroes. "It is amazing, in the community that we live in, of the different stories we hear of people making a difference. That is the key to this event. It is very close to the Red Cross mission of helping others. We also have the coloring and writing contest for the young people. It is great to see the creativity and expression they put into that, too. Everyone is always very uplifted by hearing the positive stories of the heroes. Twin City Hospital is our title sponsor, and we invite all of the other sponsors of the event as well, to thank them."
Those honored received a Red Cross stained glass plaque, and younger winners received a $100 savings bond.
"People walk away knowing they are totally recognized and appreciated," said Conrad.
Twenty-year old Kurt Becker was given the Public Safety Hero award for his quick thinking in saving the life of a young boy while on lifeguard duty last summer. "It definitely gives me more value on life, and how precious it is to have your life," said Becker. "Every day after the event, I was always worried about watching everyone…it was a renewed sense of responsibility."
Missy Snyder, 10, received the Youth Hero award for designating her birthday as a giving event for the local animal shelter. "I'm really excited about this. I like helping people and animals. And I want to say to other kids, you can make a difference."
New Philadelphia VFW Post 1445 received the Community Service Hero Award. Teresa Keane was named Workplace Hero. Keane, a Carrollton Ponderosa employee, saved three different people using the Heimlich maneuver. Hazel and Ron Bailey and Steven McNutt were honored as Life Saving Heroes for their courageous actions in saving an unconscious driver from a fiery crash.
For the Cooper family of New Philadelphia, the honor of receiving the Legacy Hero award was bittersweet. The award, given posthumously to their daughter, Alicia Cooper, who died earlier this year at age 17 from aplastic anemia, recognized Alicia's heroic efforts to raise blood for others through a blood drive, in spite of her own terminal illness.
"Enjoy your kids while you have them," said Sandy Cooper, Alicia's mother. "We always taught her to be giving and to help others, and she always did that. Her motto was her favorite Bible scripture, 'judge not, lest ye be judged', and she did that. She sometimes had to remind us of that, too."
Alicia passed away just a few months after her diagnosis. Said Jim Cooper, Alicia's dad, "We just want everyone to realize that we don't know why everything happens the way it happens, but in the end, there is always a reason why. One day we will figure it all out, but right now, we just go from day to day. It's hard, but with God, we can get through it."
"I don't consider myself a hero. I just saw a need, and felt like I could do it," said Becky Beitzel, who was honored for the gift of her kidney to friend Robin Perkins. "I think that is really what most people would say who are called heroes. They don't feel like they are anything different. They just saw something that needed done, and did it."
For more information on the Hometown Heroes program, contact the American Red Cross at www.mlcredcross.org or call 330-343-8633.
