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Nine receive Red Cross Act of Courage Awards
VIENNA
Michael Lewis of Austintown entered his smoke-filled Fox Run Apartments complex several times to knock on his neighbors’ doors, alerting them about the fire.
His last trip in, he found a disoriented woman and carried her out of the building.
“I just did what anyone else would have or should have done,” said Lewis, one of nine who received 2016 American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter Acts of Courage awards Tuesday who, without thought for their own safety, acted in an emergency to help another.
Also honored at Tuesday’s event at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport’s D.D. Davis Cargo Building on Ridge Road was Mercy Health-Youngstown and the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley. Mercy President Paul Homick thanked the Red Cross for “this remarkable and meaningful” 2016 Spirit of the Red Cross Award.
Homick also thanked the Red Cross and its heroes.
“It’s comforting to know there are people willing to help when there is a tragedy,” he said.
The Spirit award is presented annually to those who best exemplify leadership in the community, compassion for people and dedication to enriching the community through its work.
David Denovchek of Niles, who made a living liver donation to Jamie, a 4-year-old foster child in the custody of Trumbull County Children Services, literally saving her life, was another Acts of Courage Award recipient.
When the transplant was done, doctors said Jamie had only days to live. Today, both Denovchek and Jamie are doing well.
“Each year, the American Red Cross celebrates the heroism of our friends and neighbors, who, without thought to their own safety, act quickly to save a life,” said Karen E. Conklin, Lake to River Chapter executive director.
The Lake to River Chapter includes Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson counties.
David Dobstaff, chapter chairman of the board, said the Acts of Courage Awards event has raised nearly $500,000 through ticket sales since it began in 2011.
Dobstaff said the Red Cross receives no government funding and that 91 cents of every $1 donated goes for services such as helping members of the military and providing food, clothing and shelter for home fire victims.