The 17th annual Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast brought about 1,000 people to the Syracuse OnCenter on Dec. 2 to celebrate numerous stories of heroic acts and people in the Central New York community during the past year — including individuals from the Eagle Bulletin coverage area.
“I can tell you we are humbled to see so many people come out for this event each year — rain or shine on a December morning— to celebrate the Red Cross mission,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central New York.
Each year, the American Red Cross of Central New York honors members of the community who have performed significant acts of courage and kindness, which helps promote the Red Cross’ goal of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in local communities.
American Red Cross Real Hero categories and award recipients for 2015 are:
?Good Neighbor — Phyllis Tanner.
?Blood Donor — John O’Loughlin.
?Adult Good Samaritan — John DeFeo.
?Education — Robert Bewley, Katie Hughes, William Kovarik, Alexis Phillips, David Petrela and Casey Sawyer.
?Fire Rescue — Solvay Volunteer Fire Department. Captain Tom Rotella Jr., Captain Bryan Griffen, Josh Akkoul, Austin D’Alessandro, Jeremy Cantello, David Hamilton, Kyle Kinsella, Tyler Spellman, Adam Tenzella, Deputy Chief David Bosco and Deputy Chief Matthew Zingaro.
?Lifeline — Elizabeth Martin, Richard Lockwood, Arthur Vercillo and Diane Jillson.
?Workplace Safety — Service Management Group. Gary Butler, Robert Hayden and Meghan Wells.
?Law Enforcement — Officer William Foster, Officer Christopher Romano and Officer Michael Smith of the Syracuse Fire Department.
?Youth Good Samaritan — Damon Niles.
?Animal Rescue — Nate Farrington.
?Medical — Theresa Masello and Tyler Cominsky.
?Military — Lawrence Gabriel.
Three of the awards were given to individuals who live, work, or performed their heroic acts in the Eagle Bulletin coverage area.
Animal Rescue Award recipient Nate Farrington, a Syracuse native, was recognized for coming to the aid of a female Doberman Pinscher who had fallen into a crevice at Clark Reservation in Jamesville. The dog was about 20 feet below ground and rescue crews were not able to reach her. Farrington heard of the incident from a friend who worked at the DeWitt Animal Hospital and, being an avid rock climber, decided to go and see how he could help. Since there was still snow on the ground, Farrington had to catch a ride on a snowmobile to get to the site.
“Looking back, I really can’t say why I did it, I was just looking to help in any way I could,” said Farrington.
Farrington said he initially had trouble reaching the dog, so he decided to take off some of his bulky rock climbing gear so he could make it down further. Eventually, he was able to snare the dog with a catch pole and rescuers brought her to safety and she made it out with minor injuries.
“I was shocked and appreciative to hear I got this award. I didn’t really see myself as a hero,” said Farrington. “But coming to this breakfast and hearing all of the other stories made me appreciate the positive news happening in this area.”
Youth Good Samaritan Award winner Damon Niles, of Manlius, was recognized for his quick action on March 25, when a fire caused by an electrical short occurred at Niles’ home on Trout Lily Lane in Manlius. Niles, 14, had training from the Manlius Junior Fire Academy, and was able to quickly alert his parents and call 911 knowing all of the information that was needed.
“I was surprised because I didn’t really do anything, I just called 911,” said Niles. “My parents were really proud … Being a hero means possibly putting your life in danger to help others.”
All of the residents in Niles’ home were able to get out of the burning house safely, but their family pets were not able to be rescued.
Also honored at the Real Heroes breakfast with the Education Award were Jamesville Beach lifeguards Robert Bewley, Katie Hughes, William Kovarik, Alexis Phillips, David Petrela and Casey Sawyer. On June 24, Clary Middle School students took a trip to Jamesville Beach. While the students were swimming, one yelled to shore that another swimmer was in distress. The lifeguards found the girl nine-feet-deep at the bottom of the reservoir. They brought her to shore and administered oxygen until an ambulance arrived.
“My training helped me a lot because in that situation, you have to really go off of your instincts and knowledge to do what’s best for a victim,” said Phillips, a sophomore at Jamesville-DeWitt High School.
The distressed swimmer was in stable condition after the incident. Phillips said the park used to have a rule that a swimmer had to be 10 to go in the deep end, but has now implemented a stricter system that includes a swim test to determine those who can swim in deeper water.
Each of the honorees at the Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast received not only recognition for their brave acts, but also a medal and a plaque.
To learn more about the American Red Cross of Central New York, visit redcross.org/ny/syracuse.
