Red Cross honors its "Great Heroes" of the community at annual breakfast
HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - Rounds of applause filled the Robert McLaughlin Campus Center on the campus of Herkimer County Community College Thursday morning, as the community honored the American Red Cross' "Great Heroes."
Every year, the Red Cross holds its Great Heroes Breakfast, where it honors those individuals and businesses throughout the community who have supported the organization and made a difference in the lives of those around them. NEWSChannel 2's News Director Steve McMurray was honored with the 2010 Great Hero award. Steve was introduced by Frankfort Fire Chief Chuck Congiliaro, who talked about Steve's years of service to the Frankfort Fire Department; and former WKTV News Anchor Dick Lawler, who discussed what it was like to have his "set in his ways" mentality go head-to-head with "young pup" Steve when he first began at WKTV. During his acceptance speech, Steve poignantly talked about how crucial the Red Cross was to his family when his father had life-saving surgery, and needed blood the Red Cross was able to provide. "They were great people who'll never know dad and he'll never know them," Steve said, choking back tears. "They stepped up to save him and on the day that this was announced, there was a contingent of Red Cross volunteers going to Haiti. And I thought to myself - those are the real heroes. Those going from whether it be Haiti or Herkimer or all points in between. So when people ask, why are you so supportive of the Red Cross, my answer is how can you not be. They provide hope when it seems that there is none." Remington Arms received the organizations annual Business award for the many jobs it has provided to area residents over the years. Remington Arms designs, produces, and sells firearms and ammunition for hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement and military markets. Remington is the oldest continuously operating firearms manufacturing company in America. According to legend, young Eliphalet Remington II believed he could build a better gun than he could buy, and he set out to craft such a gun on his father's forge located at Ilion Gulch, New York. In the Autumn of 1816, Eliphalet entered a shooting match with his new flintlock rifle, and while he only finished second, his handmade rifle was a success and the business was born. Today, the Ilion firearms facility is still located near the original site. The Red Cross called Remington "a cornerstone of the Mohawk Valley for nearly 200 years" at Thursday morning's ceremony. "the 900 plus employees still share the vision and passion Eliphalet Remington had in 1816." Plant Manager Jim Rabbia received the award on behalf of the company. Also honored for their contributions to the community were Radio Host Bill Keeler, who received the Clara Barton Award; Tiffany Lott, the recipient of the Blood Services Award; carol Higgins, who received the Emergency Responder Award; Julia Bunce, whose battle with cancer and inspiration to those around her garnered her the Youth Leadership Award, and Sgt. Vincent Scalise, who received the military Award for his persistent efforts to get a Veterans Center built in Downtown Utica. All money raised from the 13th Annual Great Heroes Breakfast goes to support the Emergency Services Department of the Red Cross. |
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