Red Cross recognizes local heroes

Red Cross recognizes local heroes

HUBBARD

The American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley will celebrate local heroes and their acts of courage at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Hummer Garage at Greenwood Chevrolet, 2635 N. Main St.

“A hero is somebody who does something when everyone does nothing,” said Karen Conklin, executive director.

The second annual Acts of Courage and the Spirit of the Mahoning Valley Awards will honor nine men and women who sometimes risked their lives to save those of neighbors and strangers alike.

Conklin said these local residents deserve to be recognized so their stories may inspire others to act courageously. The organization keeps their “eyes open and ears on the ground” to make the community aware of its heroes.

“Sometimes heroes are living right next to us and we don’t know,” Conklin said.

Her dental hygienist, Windi Kresic, is one of those formerly unknown heroes. Conklin didn’t realize someone so close to her had saved a life until Kresic showed up to take a photo for the event.

Kresic and Jackie Loges performed CPR on a women until paramedics arrived.

Guido Jannetti saved a man from choking in Dallas.

Chuck Miller pulled a woman from the dam in Struthers.

Florence Wang contacted Red Cross officials in China to provide assistance for a dying man.

James Keefner pulled a neighbor from a burning car.

Jeff Jardine, Robert Bennett and Robert Boyd rescued a man from a crashed plane and brought him to paramedics.

“It’s the community’s way to say thank you,” Conklin said.