Local people who have performed acts that saved lives will be recognized at the American Red Cross heroes' breakfast next month.
Awards will be given across eight categories during the breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m, held at the Genetti Hotel. The categories are fire safety, law enforcement, medical, military, adult good samaritan, youth good samaritan, animal rescue and the unspoken hero.
The unspoken hero is the newest category, created last year, Harry Rogers, event chairman, said.
"It's for individuals who do things who never get recognized," he said.
Recipients do not need to be Red Cross volunteers or even have Red Cross training. A heroes award selection committee made of community and American Red Cross leaders will choose the recipients from the 19 nominees.
"We had a really good successful run last year," Rogers said. "This year is beginning to shape up the same way."
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Nominees include:
Construction Specialties employees
David Closs Jr., Avis
John Colocino, Lycoming College
Ron Guinter, Cogan Station
Natasha Harvey, South Williamsport
Stephen Koch, Lycoming College
Al Little, Picture Rocks
Phil Lowry, Avis
Donald Mellott, Flemington
Pennsylvania National Guard
Picture Rocks Volunteer Fire Department
Plunketts Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department
John Shaffer, Lycoming College
Daniel Shifflet, Williamsport
James Pardee II, Williamsport
Cheri Springman, Montgomery
Bradley Stine, Barbous
Timothy Weigle, Lycoming College
Daniel Workman, Avis
The breakfast to honor the heroes grew out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross: teaching people to save lives.
With last year's flooding, many people did more than they had to do to help others.
"The individuals from the flood made the decision to go way beyond where the perimeters had been set," Rogers said. "It's important to recognize little acts like that, getting in a boat when you think everything is done, going back one more time."
Some of the people who had been nominated asked not to be awarded.
"That's the thing about heroes," Rogers said. "All heroes are reluctant heroes."
Across the nation, more than 1 million Red Cross volunteers provides relief to victims of disasters by helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Individuals throughout Lycoming, Clinton and Tioga counties will be honored at the breakfast.
Honoring the people who did something heroic last year makes Rogers realize how small the communities are.
"Look all over," he said. "Look how much you have in common. Our lives mirror each other in so many ways."
Having the heroes also shows how people still care for each other.
"We all have the same basic common DNA when it comes to caring for each other," Rogers said. "I don't think humanity has lost that one bit. We want to help each other as much as possible."
All proceeds of the breakfast will benefit the programs and services provided by the local American Red Cross, such as disasters such as last year's flooding.
