Red Cross chapter honors heroes

None of the honorees see themselves as heroes.

BY JORDAN COHEN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

BOARDMAN — They are 19 local residents ranging in age from 11 to nearly 100, and all have been honored as heroes by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“The humanitarian mission of the Red Cross is exemplified by our heroes today,” said Lou Joseph, chapter board chairman.

This is the seventh year that the Red Cross has given its “Heroes of the Mahoning Valley” awards, which involve four categories: community impact, good neighbor, law enforcement and animal. A committee reviews nominations and determines winners based on community service, acts of kindness and compassion and saving lives.

Joel Imler, 23, of Youngstown saved four lives last October. Imler carried four young children to safety when fire destroyed a home on Willis Avenue where he had been baby-sitting. Imler suffered burns to his arm and face and was hospitalized for nearly a week.

“I really didn’t see it as being a hero,” said Imler who is looking for full-time employment. “It was just something I had to do.”

Like Imler, the other honorees do not see themselves as heroes.

“I don’t do it because I’m looking for recognition,” said Mahoning Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Taillon. “I do it because it’s what I do.”

Taillon, a resource officer for Jackson-Milton schools, was honored for his work helping a troubled teenage girl return home after living on the streets. Taillon was nominated by the girl’s mother.

“We’re not heroes. It was the community that came together,” said John Morvay, one of a group called “The Core Six” who led the effort to build a new home in Youngstown for Joseph Kaluza, who had been shot and paralyzed during an armed robbery at the KFC restaurant he managed. Kaluza and his family moved into the Ivanhoe Avenue home, which is completely handicapped-accessible, last December.

“The Mahoning Valley is the greatest valley in the world,” shouted another member of the Core Six, Don Murphy, to hearty applause at Antone’s Banquet Center where the ceremony took place.

Among the youngest honored were 11-year-old fifth-graders from Poland’s Holy Family School. The students, members of a service club called ARK (Acts of Random Kindness), have done everything from collecting school supplies for preschool children to making blankets for people in need.

“People don’t help people as much, so that’s why I do,” said ARK member Nadine Jones, while another, Tessa Snider, said she joined ARK because “I felt I didn’t get enough chances to help other people.”

The oldest honoree, Marjorie Haynie, was called a hero for her work as a Red Cross volunteer for 67 years. Haynie, who was unable to attend, will turn 100 this year.

Saturday’s award breakfast was rescheduled from two weeks earlier when heavy snow forced a postponement.

Community Impact

ARK: (Acts of Random Kindness) from Holy Family School, Poland.

Core Six: Built new home for paralyzed gunshot victim.

Marjorie Haynie: Red Cross volunteer for 67 years.

Poland North PTO: Unending commitment to students.

Shepherd of the Valley, Management Team, Big Reach Center of Hope: Service to Second Harvest Foodbank.

Good Neighbor

Joel Imler: Rescued four children from a house fire.

Jon and Sandy Ulicney, Gerald DeCamp, Ron Knarr: Four Canfield neighbors rescued man from drowning under Herbert Street Bridge.

Animal

Diane Less: Provided homes for 75 cats and fostered 60 other animals.

Law Enforcement

Greg Taillon: Jackson Milton school resource officer.

Source: Mahoning Valley Chapter, American Red Cross