December 3, 2014

16th Annual

American Red Crossof Central New York

Ordinary People...Extraordinary Courage

In an instant, Real People become Real Heroes.

AMERICAN RED CROSS, CENTRAL NEW YORK CHAPTERBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rita Reicher, KS&R, Inc. - Chapter ChairAndrew March, Berkshire Bank - Vice ChairDave Johnson, King+King Architects, LLP - SecretaryDot Hall, Sports PT - Service Delivery Committee ChairRobert Just, Blue Ocean Strategic Capital - Communications Committee ChairJed Delmonico, Delmonico Insurance AgencyChris Didio, Dannible & McKee, LLPAmy Egitton, Scolaro, Fetter, Grizanti, McGough & KingAndrew Felter, Wegmans Food MarketsJoanna Ferguson, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLCRae Fulkerson, CNY Central Ashley Hayes, Hancock Estabrook, LLPTerrance Madden, O’Brien & GerePatrick Powers, D’Arcangelo & Co. LLPRenae Rokicki, SUNY Upstate Medical UniversityRichard Ruch, Lamar AdvertisingJohn Spink, National GridKevin Wisely, Onondaga County Emergency Management

REAL HEROES BREAKFAST COMMITTEERenae Rokicki, Committee ChairAngelina Boungou Andrew MarchTom Czajak Matt MichaelJoanna Ferguson Judy PollmanCathy Fida Rosie TaravellaAshley Hayes

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 7:30 am - 9:00 am

PRESENTATION OF COLORS 174th Attack Wing Honor Guard Bagpiper Eric Ouellette PROCESSION OF AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS, STAFF & SPECIAL GUESTS “Simple Gifts”

MASTERS OF CEREMONIES Megan Coleman, CNY Central Mark Larson, Time Warner Cable News

WELCOME Rita Reicher, Ph.D., Chair, American Red Cross Central New York Chapter Rosie Taravella, CEO, Western & Central New York Region of the American Red Cross Melanie Littlejohn, Regional Executive CNY, National Grid PROCESSION OF HEROES “Summon the Heroes”

BREAKFAST

AWARD PRESENTATIONS A RED CROSS STORY Sheila Abbey, Cortland County Advisory Board Chair

CLOSING REMARKS Renae Rokicki, Real Heroes Breakfast Committee Chair Rosie Taravella

VOCAL PERFORMANCE & RECESSION OF HEROES Syracuse University Singers “America the Beautiful”

CELEBRATING THE HEROES AMONG US — PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Youth Good Samaritan

Presented By: NBT BankRick Shirtz, Syracuse Regional President

Harry Hausser Matthew Williams

had it not been for two young cousins, 8-year-old Harry Hausser, of New Woodstock, and 11-year-old Matthew Williams, of Sykesville, Md. The boys were out fishing on the lake in a small jon-boat, and they noticed McAvoy who was about 100 yards from shore. The next time they glanced in the direction of his boat, he had disappeared. “Then we saw two hands by the engine,” Harry told Eagle News. The boys brought their boat over to assess the situation and found McAvoy, of Cortland, clinging to his boat. His life vest had not been properly secured. The boys realized they wouldn’t be able to get him into their small boat, so they raced back to shore and enlisted the help of Matthew’s father, Brian Williams, and grandfather, Bill Eliason, who used their pontoon boat to help. After throwing a rope ladder to McAvoy, they were able to pull him out of the water and back to safety. “I was lucky those kids were in the jon-boat,” McAvoy said. “People on shore couldn’t see my head and were not sure where I was.” Luckily, these two boys were brave, smart, and caring enough to lend a helping hand.

When Kevin McAvoy fell out of his boat in DeRuyter Lake and was unable to climb back in after it capsized, he might have faced a life-threatening situation

Fire Rescue

Firefighter Gene Johnson

Matthew Williams

On the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2014, City of Syracuse firefighter Gene Johnson was met with a firefighter’s worst nightmare when McCarthy Manor, a high-rise building primarily housing the elderly and people with disabilities, caught on fire. One of the residents, 67-year-old Anne Woodlen, found herself trapped inside her apartment and

struggling to breathe as thick black smoke permeated the building. “It was heavy, acrid smoke that just choked. It was really terrible,” she told syracuse.com. Despite being unable to see, wheelchair bound, and suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, she was able to call 9-1-1 and hold her own until help arrived. As firefighters focused their attention on a man going into full cardiac arrest in the next room, Anne continued to gasp for air and started to cry. The only firefighter who stayed with her during this time and who had raced up eight flights of stairs to get to her, Gene Johnson, offered his oxygen mask – a selfless act that likely saved her life. Shortly after, more help arrived with another mask. Everyone escaped the building safely. “The fire department performed perfectly, as far as I’m concerned,” Anne said. “And that was a blessing.”

Presented By: WegmansAndrew Felter, Pharmacy Operations Manager

Education

Dennis Kinsey

David Coryell

After a leisurely motorcycle ride to Ithaca June 1, two Syracuse University professors encountered a horrific car accident that would forever change their lives. Instead of taking their usual route back home, Dennis Kinsey and David Coryell decided to mix things up and pass through Dryden. They were only five miles down the road when they came across the two-car accident. As David said in a Facebook post, “Both cars were nothing but twisted and destroyed metal.” They immediately

David held onto the mother’s hand. They urged them to keep fighting as they

pulled over and rushed to the scene to join a group of others who had stopped to help. Both cars had passengers trapped inside. In one car they found a young mother and her two children, all injured and in need of critical care. Dennis held the young boy’s neck and head straight so that he could breathe better, while

waited for paramedics. Unfortunately, the passenger in the other car passed away during the wait. It took 20 minutes and two steel-cutting saws to get the woman out of the vehicle, but she was finally able to join her children at the hospital and receive the care she needed. David ended his Facebook post: “We rode back to Syracuse with the sobering reminder that in a slow-motion second everything can change. Ride safe… .”

Presented By: Bristol-Myers SquibbJohn Hickey, Director, Facilities & Engineering

Dennis Kinsey

Good Neighbor

Kirk Phillips

When you see someone in danger, it’s only human nature to want to help. Taking action, however, requires bravery, courage, and heroism. – all of which Kirk Phillips demonstrated on the morning of Aug. 12. As he was driving on State Route 69 in West Amboy at about 6 a.m., Kirk came upon a major accident. Mark Brownell, of Oakfield (Genesee County), had been involved in the accident with a parked pickup truck and trailer, and was now trapped inside his burning vehicle, just seconds from death. Kirk didn’t hesitate; he pulled over and after an attempt to pull the car out of the ditch failed because of a snapped tow cable, Kirk knew he needed to get Brownell out of the car. As he opened the doors, flames and smoke piled out before Kirk pulled Brownell from the car, surely saving his life. “I knew what had to be done and just did it,” said Kirk, a husband and father of three boys. “Isn’t that what everybody does?” Not necessarily, Kirk, which is why you’re a Real Hero.

Presented By: Community BankLuke Fagan, Vice President & Team Leader, Commercial Banking

Animal Rescue

Officer Jason DriscollDogs are man’s best friend, and there are countless examples of a dog going above and beyond to rescue or serve a human. Last Dec. 10, it was time for city dog control officer Jason Driscoll to pay it forward as he valiantly attempted to rescue a dog from falling into Onondaga Creek. “Right on the edge, holding on with his claws, and the closer we could get you could tell he was just getting more nervous,” Jason told WSYR-TV. With the help of a few Syracuse police officers, they devised a plan. They cut a hole in the fence, allowing Jason to squeeze through to the other side on his hands and knees. Officers then held onto his feet, fearing that he would fall into the swift current trying to save the dog from that same fate. Jason was able to grab the dog and the officers dragged the pair back to safety. The dog was shaken up, but otherwise healthy. His owner remained unknown, so he found a temporary home at the Dewitt Animal Hospital.

Presented By: Kinney Drugs FoundationDavid Adsit, Director of PharmacyOperations for KPH Healthcare Services

Adult Good Samaritan

James Yadlosky

What started as a routine trip for truck driver James Yadlosky on June 20 turned into a night he’ll never forget. It was 2 a.m., and he was on his way home to Binghamton to be with his wife and three young children. He noticed a small fire burning in the distance and thought it was a bonfire, but as he got closer his gut told him to pull over. While others continued to drive past, James was the only one to stop and investigate the situation. He made his way through the darkness to the house and noticed that the windows were blown out. He banged on the front door until a woman answered, and she explained that she was a caretaker for a disabled woman and that she couldn’t get her out by herself. With James’ help, the two raced against time and managed to safely remove the disabled woman, Crystal Sobotka, and two dogs from the burning home. The flames engulfed the wheelchair ramp, so they had to carry her and her wheelchair down the porch steps. The house was destroyed, but Sobotka’s family, who had previously lost a loved one to a house fire, is extremely grateful for James, who would return to his own family that night as a hero.

Presented By: M&T BankRosie Taravella, CEO, Western & Central New York Region of the American Red Cross presenting on behalf of M&T Bank.

Disaster Hurts.Red Cross Helps.

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Here is how your CNY Chapter responded

in just the last month:

Your gift makes a difference. It’s not just important...

It’s everything.& it’s local.

16 Disaster Incidents

27 New Cases Opened

84 Individuals Helped

$17,799 provided in Direct Assistance

PLUS,Local Disaster Action Team

Volunteers and an Emergency Response Vehicle was

deployed to assist the Winter Storm Disaster in Buffalo and

Western New York.

Scan to make a secure online gift.

FACEBOOK/ARCCNY@OneRedCrossCNY

Blood Donor

Jerry Ball

Jerry Ball has been giving back to his community and saving lives since he first start donating blood when he was 17. Now 57, Jerry has made more than 240 donations, earning a 30-gallon pin from the Red Cross this past July 12. He loves knowing he can help save lives in such an easy way. He continued to donate during the time he served in the U.S. Armed Forces as well as through his employer, Allstate.

The impact of his actions is not lost on Jerry. After losing his wife to cancer and witnessing both his parents fall ill and need blood, he’s seen firsthand just how important it is. He is extremely passionate and dedicated to such a great cause. In addition to his blood donations, Jerry volunteers at the Bishop Grimes High School, showing that he gives back in more ways than one.

Presented By: Dunkin’ DonutsGuy Ruffo, Systems Director and William Gambale, Director of PersonnelDevelopment

Real Heroes Blood DriveSponsored by

Friday, Dec. 512:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.at the American Red Cross344 West Genesee St., SyracuseMake your donation appointmentCall 1-800-REDCROSS

Lifeline Award

Skyler Walter

On the afternoon of Aug. 28, Skyler Walter saved her mother’s life by dialing 9-1-1 – and she’s only 5 years old! Many older children and even adults find it difficult to take action, think quickly, and remain calm, cool, and collected in emergency situations – especially when it involves a loved one. However, an administrator at Cayuga County Emergency-9-1-1 said, “Skyler never expressed any fear, only bravery.” Home alone with her mother and younger brother, Skyler wasted no time calling for help when she witnessed her mother collapse onto the floor due to a seizure, unconscious. Luckily, Skyler had been trained on what to do in a situation like that. Despite the scary situation, she was able to tell the operator the state of her mother’s condition as well as her full address, the two most critical pieces of information for the dispatcher. If she had not been so brave and smart, the situation may have had a very different outcome.

Presented By: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Mark Muthumbi Regional Vice President of Sales and Account Management

Workplace Safety

Eric Perez

What started as a regular day of work at Planet Fitness in Dewitt for 27-year-old Eric Perez soon turned into an emergency that would require his expertise and quick actions. While working at the front desk, someone shouted that a man was on the ground, and it turned out he was having a heart attack. Immediately, Eric ran over

to the man, 61-year-old James Panebianco of Chittenango, and started giving him CPR after discovering that he wasn’t breathing. Another employee brought Eric an AED (automatic external defibrillator) to use while they waited for paramedics to arrive. Panebianco was in critical condition, but would survive because of Eric’s actions. In fact, Panebianco and his wife, Catherine, continue to work out at Planet Fitness. Eric, who also volunteers at the East Syracuse Fire Department, attributes the skills he used that day to the training provided by the gym. He has since traded his job at Planet Fitness for a position in banking, but the title of ‘hero’ will follow him wherever he goes. “He saved my husband’s life,” says Catherine Panebianco, eternally grateful.

Presented By: Sports PTLynn Steenberg, President & CEO

Medical

Shannon Tilbe

A nurse’s job doesn’t end when she goes home. It’s a full-time commitment, and a rewarding one. This past June, Upstate Medical University nurse Shannon Tilbe experienced that feeling firsthand. She was driving on the highway with her daughter when she witnessed a major motorcycle accident. She immediately pulled over to assist the young woman who had been driving the motorcycle. As Shannon made her way down an embankment to reach the woman, she yelled for her daughter to call 9-1-1. She was now knee deep in water with the woman and wasted no time assessing the situation. She noticed a large gash on her shoulder and a severe abdominal wound that exposed the woman’s intestines – both of which Shannon quickly covered. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Shannon maintained pressure on the injuries to slow blood loss. The situation grew dire, and Shannon recognized that the woman was going into shock. Eventually, flight paramedics arrived to transport the patient to Upstate Medical University. Shannon was heartbroken when told that the patient died on the way. But the tragic news had been incorrect, and a few days after the accident Shannon visited the young woman and her grateful parents, who had arrived from Connecticut. She was going to live thanks to Shannon’s heroic actions.

Presented By: Kimberly Boynton, CEO & President, Crouse Hospital; Douglas G. Smith, Vice President for Development, St. Joseph’s Hospital; Dr. John McCabe,

CEO, Upstate Medical University

Law Enforcement

Officer Edward Weber

On Sept. 1, 2013, Edward Weber, a Senior Detective with the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, risked his own safety to protect a fallen officer. Edward was on a robbery suppression detail in a South Campus parking lot with Patrol Senior Specialist Stanley Prue when they found themselves caught in a severe thunderstorm. As Prue was in the process of exiting the vehicle, he was struck by lightning. The bolt transferred from him to the vehicle to Edward, knocking him into a state of semi-consciousness. In short, Edward never knew what hit him. When he awoke, startled and confused, he mistook the noise of the lightning around him as gun shots. He immediately prepared for a confrontation as he went around to the other side of the car in search of Prue, who was on the ground and unresponsive. Edward realized that Prue had not been shot, but struck by lightning. Despite the roar of the storm, the pelting rain, the lightning continuing to flash nearby and his own injuries, Edward remained calm and took control of the situation. He used the radio to call for help and administered first aid to Prue, an action that likely saved the officer’s life. Weber’s selfless and rapid response to the emergency saved the day, earning himself the title of hero.

Presented By: SEFCURobert Tackman, Branch Manager, Dey’s & Midler Branch

Military

Sgt. Ray Presley

Truck driver Raymond Presley, a sergeant first-class in the National Guard who served in Afghanistan, is no stranger to heroism. When he drove past a burning vehicle on the Thruway with a man trapped inside, he knew he had to help. “As soon as I saw who it was, I told the other rescuers, ‘That’s my captain. We’ve got to get him out,’ ” Raymond told syracuse.com. Capt.

Timothy Neild, who had served in the same platoon at the Thompson Road Armory at Hancock Field with Raymond, had veered his pickup truck into a bridge. The truck caught fire, and it was Presley’s quick-thinking, supplies, and command that saved the situation. Using the fire extinguisher he kept in his truck to hold back the flames and his pocket knife to cut the seatbelt, Raymond and other rescuers pulled Neild from the vehicle just seconds before it exploded. Neild shattered both of his legs, and suffered broken ribs and severe burns all over his body. “Every second counted, every decision that was made. It was God’s good grace that saved the captain and will allow his wife to have a Christmas with her husband,” said Sgt. John Tirinato, who also served with Raymond in Afghanistan. After spending time in rehabilitation, Nield made a full physical recovery, but is still at Walter Reed Medical Center, recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury, sustained in the accident. Sgt. Presley truly believes that with out the help of all the rescuers involved, the rescue itself would have not played out the way it did.

Presented By: Lockheed MartinMatt Straub, Business Development Representative

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is proud to support the American Red Cross. We remain committed to giving back to the local community where we’ve lived and worked for more than 75 years.

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At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations

that make our communities better places to live and work. That’s why we offer

both our time and resources and encourage others to do the same.

mtb.com ©2012 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.

Renae Rokicki

A SMART WAY TO HELP HER ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE.

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B A N K I N G F O R Y O U N G A D U L T S .

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O P E N Y O U R A C C O U N T O N L I N E

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© 2014 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

At Bristol-Myers Squibb, our commitment to develop innovative medicines is as strong as the patient’s will to � ght serious diseases.

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THANK YOU TO OURBENEFACTOR SPONSORS

Rita Reicher, Ph.D

Renae Rokicki

Property Restoration, Inc.Santoro Construction, Inc.

KPH Healthcare Services is proud to support the efforts

of the American Red Crossand we honor the 2014

Real Heroes.

Friends of the Red Cross

Price and participation may vary. © 2014 DD IP Holder LLC. All rights reserved.

Congratulations & Thank You to all the Heroes Honored Today!

Come visit our licensed physical therapists from Albany to Buffalo! No referral necessary for most insurances.

Treating….Lower back pain, Jaw pain,

Pregnancy muscle pain,Injury or Surgery pain

Contact us at www.sptny.com

THANK YOU TO OUR TABLE SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR PATRON SUPPORTERS & TABLE HOSTS

THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA PARTNERS

Catherine Fida ToppleCandace and John MarsellusDebi SpencerRobert H. Zimmer, M.D.

Delmonico Insurance AgencyJoanna FergusonGeddes Federal Savings & LoanScott Goodrich & Rosie TaravellaBruce Greishaber & Rebecca MeinkingAshley HayesMayor Stephanie Miner- City of SyracuseDr. John McCabeNY - Penn Blood RegionJudy PollmanThe Rocklyn CompaniesSyracuse Media GroupPamela Youngs-Maher

Congratulations & Thank You to all the Heroes Honored Today!

Come visit our licensed physical therapists from Albany to Buffalo! No referral necessary for most insurances.

Treating….Lower back pain, Jaw pain,

Pregnancy muscle pain,Injury or Surgery pain

Contact us at www.sptny.com

We proudly salute the heroes in our community who make this a better place to live, work and play.

Visit us at www.nationalgrid.com and connect with us on

Be ready. Be safe.

Are you prepared?

Water: one gallon per person per day

Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items

First-Aid Kit: include prescription medications

Flashlight and batteries

What else?A multi-purpose tool, cell phone & back up charger, emergency blanket, personal documents, extra cash and a list of emergency contact information.

The 3DayOK Partnership of Onondaga County

Note: Consider the needs of all family members, including pets, and add supplies to your kit (for example, games and activities if you have children).

Already prepared? Show us what’s in your kit.Visit 3dayok.org to enter our video contest today!

Deadline Dec.12, 2014

For more info, visit www.3dayok.org

to be ready in case disaster strikes. They recommend thatindividuals set aside the following items and others that are needed in order to be ok for up to three days in the event of a disaster.

wants you

#3dayok

For more information, visit www.3dayok.org

Thank you to our Resiliency, Ready CNY, and 3DayOK Supporting Partners!

National Grid, Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., Central New York Community Foundation, Onondaga County, Rosamond Gifford

Foundation, Skelley Foundation, Candace & John Marsellus, Dominion Transmission Inc., Dominion Foundation, John

Ben Snow Memorial Trust, Triad Foundation, O’Brien & Gere, Preferred Mutual Insurance Co., Stewart’s Shops, Key Bank,

and Dave & Michelle Johnson.

SPECIAL THANKSWe would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their kind and generous support so that costs can be kept to a minimum, thus providing more funds to be used for the American Red Cross life-saving programs. Laura Hand, CNY Central & Curtis Jetter, Time Warner Cable News Hero video segment productionMegan Coleman, CNY Central & Mark Larson, Time Warner Cable News EmceesVisual Technologies Corporation Artistic support and guidance, and visual technology productionStickley, Audi & Company Donation of the Heroes’ plaquesDinosaur BBQ Donation of Pre-Event dinnerGene Gissin Photography and Frank McDowell Event PhotographersSusan Potter Pre-Event and Rehearsal PhotographerHancock Field Air National Guard Base 174th Attack Wing Honor GuardEric Ouellette Bag PiperAvalon Document Services Print support and in-kind creditByrne Dairy Orange JuiceDunkin’ Donuts Coffee GiftAmerican Red Cross Volunteers Event Preparation Support, Banner, and Flag CarriersCaleigh Gran Event Program and Hero Bio preparation and support

2014 PARKING SPONSOR

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULO beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain.

America, America God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.

America, America God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years,Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears!

America, America God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

THANK YOU TOTHE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SINGERS

Jaclyn ClarkSara MoreyAnna LilikasHeidi SynnJoseph CambareriJake GozCody EngstromDa’Jon James

The Syracuse University Singers will travel to France in May 2015 on their first European tour. If you enjoyed this morning’s performance, please consider booking small ensembles from the choir to sing for parties and events. Monies earned from these performances help defer the students’ cost for the trip. For more information, contact 315.443.4106 or email suchoral@syr.edu.

SAVE THE DATE!17th Annual Real Heroes BreakfastWednesday, December 2, 20157:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Convention Center at the Oncenter, SyracuseNominate a 2015 Real Hero at:www.redcross.org/ny/syracuse/real-heroes/nomination

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