by Karin Schneider
'Tis the season for the American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast! Each year, American Red Cross chapters across the region honor local community members who went above and beyond in different categories of humanitarian accomplishment. I had the exciting opportunity to attend the 21st Annual Central New York Real Heroes Breakfast on Dec. 4 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, where staff and volunteers from our local chapter managed to turn the large ballroom into a warm and elegant dining environment.
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| Karin Schneider, John Walsh and Brian Johnson of Dannible & McKee LLP |
As a new
Disaster Action Team volunteer, I was asked to carry the banner announcing the
Workplace Safety honoree, John Walsh. During
John's career as manager of American Airlines at Hancock International Airport,
he became the leading force of the airport's Airline Response Plan in case of
an accident. I really enjoyed talking to him, and learned interesting insights about airline emergency responses.
All the
honorees were paraded out with the category's corporate sponsor and banner
holder before breakfast was served.
After the meal, each honoree was called to the podium where the sponsor
spoke a few words about the honoree, and a video vignette was shown providing a
visual story of his or her accomplishment.
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| Alberto Bianchetti and "RJ" Drager |
One of my favorite sponsor presenters was Alberto Bianchetti from National
Grid who presented the Youth Good Samaritan award to 7-year-old Robert James"RJ" Drager, who saved his friend from drowning. Alberto recited
facts about RJ that he had learned from previous conversations ranging from the
pet dog to favorite activities, and confirmed each fact with RJ, who always
responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!" One couldn't help but to smile
the entire time.
Overall,
the event left me with warm and happy feelings.
It was reassuring to be reminded that good and caring citizens live in
our community, not only by the honorees, but by the CNY Chapter of the American
Red Cross and corporate sponsors of the event. I'm looking forward to next
year!
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| 2019 Central New York Real Heroes and Sponsors |
Karin Schneider is a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Central New York.
