3rd Annual Everyday Heroes Breakfast
What a fantastic turnout! Nearly 550 people attended the Third Annual Everyday Heroes Breakfast on March 20, 2003. Heroes in twelve exciting categories were honored for their generous, courageous and inspiring acts. Over $26,000 was raised to support disaster relief in southwest Missouri.
Congratulations to all of the heroes. The American Red Cross received over 140 hero nominations. Many worthy candidates were nominated and the selection committee had a tough time choosing one winner for each category. As a matter of fact, single honorees in the adult lifesaver and youth lifesaver categories were too close to confirm, so multiple heroes were honored in these categories.
3rd Annual Everyday Hero Breakfast Honorees
Education Hero-Sally Ann Nance, Bolivar High School
Sponsored by Corporate Business Systems, Inc.
�God gave us two hands-one for receiving and one for giving� (Billy Graham) is the motto exemplified in the every day life of Bolivar High School marketing education teacher, Sally Ann Nance. A mentor, counselor, friend and role model who teaches through example. Under her guidance, Bolivar High School Marketing students have accomplished several outstanding community projects.
Family Hero-Lonnie Killingsworth, City Utilities
Sponsored by American Red Cross Health & Safety Services
About four years ago, Lonnie met two young boys at a church summer camp. Following a series of circumstances, the need to place the boys in a foster home was brought to Lonnie�s attention. Lonnie told his wife Valerie he felt called by God to raise Freddy and Troy not as foster children, but to adopt them as their own. Lonnie, wife Valerie and their three grown children will officially adopt Freddy and Troy into the Killingsworth family this year.
Firefighter Hero-David Fenton, Springfield Fire Department
Sponsored by Krispy Kreme
While David and his family were on a trip to Kansas City, they stopped at an accident on Highway 7. David�s lifesaving actions were instrumental in saving the life of a SBU student�s life. Performing mouth to mouth resuscitation, David sustained a young girl�s life until emergency personnel arrived. His actions aided the girl in making a complete recovery. David is involved with several important projects for the fire department. He trains new recruits, has planned Fire Prevention Week activities, produced a Media Guide, and coordinated the job-shadowing program for junior high students.
Adult Good Samaritan Hero-Madge Martin, Retired
Sponsored by KY 3
Volunteering is a full-time job for Madge. On Sunday, she plays piano at the Cambridge Retirement Center church service and sing-a-long. Monday she visits Mercy Villa to entertain residents, and Tuesday she is a St. John�s Pink Lady on the transitional care floor. Madge plays piano at Elfindale�s Creekside Retirement Center on Wednesdays, and Thursday she is back at St. John�s. She has also volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and holds the record for most volunteer hours logged at Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Madge is 88-years-old.
Youth Good Samaritan Heroes-Jeremy Halverson & Adam Lupton, Students
Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Haake
Nine-year-old cousins, Jeremy and Adam, were playing at a school playground and noticed flames and smoke jumping out of the chimney of a nearby home. A man was outside of the house, but did not have of view of the chimney and was unaware of the situation. The boys alerted the man to the fire who called the fire department and evacuated others from inside the house. Jeremy and Adam are credited with saving the house and people inside.
Industrial Safety Hero-Tommy Michael, Aaron�s Automotive Products, Inc.
Sponsored by A Friend of the American Red Cross
As safety officer for Aaron�s Automotive Products, Tommy Michael has enhanced existing safety programs and has been instrumental in introducing new programs to increase safety consciousness throughout the entire operation. His efforts have greatly contributed to the superior safety record achieved by his company. When a fellow employees was involved in serious automobile while leaving the company parking lot, Tommy quickly and calmly took control of the scene. He provided emergency first aid and directed the notification of emergency personnel.
Community Justice/Woodruff Hero-The Honorable Mark A. Powell, Associate Circuit Judged for Division 24, State of Missouri
Sponsored by Empire Bank
Judge Powell was instrumental in the development and implementation of Truancy Court in Springfield Public Schools. Every Tuesday morning at 7:00 am, Judge Powell held �court� at Reed Middle School for approximately 15 students struggling with a variety of issues that prevent good attendance. Students who appear before Judge Powell are held accountable for their actions and rewarded for decreases in unexcused absences, tardiness or discipline referrals. One student�s 50% attendance record skyrocketed to 100% during his participation in the semester-long program.
Enforcement/Woodruff Hero-Larry Alexander, Willard High School Resource Officer
Sponsored by American Red Cross Disaster Services
As a high school safety officer, Larry Alexander is a good friend to all students and has the ability to make anyone laugh. Nominated anonymously for this award, Officer Alexander is credited with saving lives by going beyond the call of duty by helping area young people escape drugs and the gang lifestyle. Through Life Choice Ministries, Alexander dedicates his time and heart to making a difference in young people�s lives. He does this by spending time with young people and helping them overcome life�s challenges and difficult circumstances.
Adult Lifesaver Hero-Dale Reber, Lumber Company Manager
Sponsored by Howard Bailey Company,
Dale discovered his neighbor�s house, about a mile from his county home, ablaze about 2 a.m. and drove immediately to the house. Pounding on the door did not arouse the elderly couple, so Dale broke down the door and entered the already smoked filled house. Dale woke the couple and led them to safety. The grateful couple would most likely have perished in the blaze had it not been for Dale.
Adult Lifesaver Hero-Delena, Deniece and Dennis Souder, Souder Store
Sponsored by Howard Bailey Company
After giving Delena a fiddle lesson, Drury College student Travis Bentley headed home. Evening rains trapped Travis in his truck at a low-water crossing. Travis attracted Deniece Souder�s attention by flashing a spotlight at their house about 1/8 of a mile away. Dennis felled trees in hopes that Travis would be able to grab on to one and climb to shore, but when the trees hit the water, the violent current twisted them from their roots. Travis had moved from standing on the truck�s windowsill to the top of the cab when Dennis waded back to the house to retrieve a 100-foot extension cord. Dennis tied one end of the cord to a tree and tossed a lifeline to Travis. Then, the Souder family safely pulled Travis to shore.
Youth Lifesaver Hero-John W. Buckner, IV, Kickapoo High School student
Sponsored by Bolivar Insulation
On the shore of a Florida beach during a family and friends vacation, John�s heroic actions saved the life of a family friend. The moderately rough surf changed quickly and drastically. One member of the swimming party, Kathy Price was knocked down several times by large waves. One fall resulted in broken leg. John waded out help Kathy back to shore. He steadied her against recurring waves and dangerous rip tides. Once on shore, John went for help. Kathy would have most likely drowned if John had not come to her aid.
Youth Lifesaver-Shandalei Guinn-5th grader, Wanda Gray Elementary
Sponsored by Bolivar Insulation
When Shandalei went to visit her elderly neighbor, �Miss June�, she discovered an unlocked front door, but no answer to her knock. She went into the house because she knew Miss June was diabetic and sometimes became ill. She found her neighbor unconscious and lying on the floor. Unable to arouse her, Shandalei called 911, gave the appropriate information and stayed with Miss June until the ambulance arrived.
Youth Lifesaver Hero-Caleb Taylor, 5-year-old preschooler
Sponsored by Bolivar Insulation
When Caleb and his grandpa (Pop-Pop) were riding the tractor a few days before Christmas, Pop-Pop, who had been standing on the side of the tractor, slipped off the tractor and it ran over him. Caleb was unable to shut off the tractor so he did his best to steer it away from his Pop-Pop. Caleb managed to stop the tractor by hitting a fence post. Then he ran to get his dad to help Pop-Pop told his mom to cal 911. Pop-Pop was airlifted to the hospital, and has made a complete recovery.
Medical Hero-Trudi Scott, Children�s Miracle Network C.A.R.E. Mobile, Director
Sponsored by ALLTEL
Trudi�s concept for the C.A.R.E. Mobile came from many years of being a pediatric nurse and recognizing the number of children who were slipping through the cracks of the health care systems. They were missing school for untreated illness, lack of immunizations and missing extra curriculum sports activities because of families� inability to pay for required physicals. In addition to physical care, Trudi provides emotional support and acceptance of all people from all walks of life and oversees over 1,500 immunizations annually. Trudi recognized a need for health care for the Hispanic population in and around Springfield. She learned to speak Spanish and the C.A.R.E. Mobile now makes regular stops at El Centro Christiano Familiar Church in Springfield.
Military Hero-Michael S. Clarke, M.D., Colonel of U.S. Army Medical Corps
Sponsored by Corporate Business Systems, Inc.
During 2002, Dr. Clarke served as chief orthopedic surgeon for the 21st Army General Hospital. He was mobilized to active duty for the war on terrorism and left his active orthopedic practice in Springfield for duty in Europe, primarily Germany and Yugoslavia for four months in 2002. Dr. Clarke has been an Army Reservist for 32 years and a role model for many younger physicians and has been responsible for other physicians and medical personnel joining the Army Reserves. In 2002, Dr. Clarke was elected to The Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces Board of Directors. In this capacity he meets quarterly with the Surgeon General of the U. S. and major medical leaders to formulate policy for the medical corps of the U.S.
Thanks A Million!
This event was a HUGE SUCCESS because of very generous sponsors. Thanks to the following Red Cross supporters!
Major Hero Sponsor
Corporate Business Systems, Inc.
Award Sponsors
ALLTEL
Bolivar Insulation
Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Haake
Empire Bank
Howard Bailey Company
Krispy Kreme
KY 3
Corporate Sponsors
Great Southern
Linda�s Flowers
McKesson
Murney Associates, Realtors
Springfield Apartment & Housing Association
Union Planters Bank
Wal-Mart / Sam�s Club
Witherspoon Consulting
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