By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Several selfless acts of courage and good deeds were recognized last Thursday at the 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast held at Northern Maine Community College.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
KATAHDIN TRUST CO. was one of two county businesses that received Extra Mile Awards at last Thursday’s 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast. The bank was recognized for its hard work and generous commitment toward the Red Cross mission, which over the past 12 years has helped raise nearly $80,000 for the local disaster relief fund. Accepting the award are, from left, front row: Karen Chapman, Vicki Smith, Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter; and Peggy Bugbee. Back row: David Cambridge, Jeff Pangburn, Bonnie Foster, Carrie Hull, Diane Green, Tori Barber and Craig Staples.
Hosted by the American Red Cross—Pine Tree Chapter, WAGM-TV 8/FOX 8 and NMCC, the concept for the Real Heroes Breakfast has grown out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross — teaching people how to save lives.
“The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter. “This is done through the simple, yet powerful process of one person putting their needs aside to help another. Across the nation, over 1 million Red Cross volunteers do this each day.
“What better way to celebrate this spirit of humanitarianism than by honoring those individuals who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character by their act of heroism in Aroostook County,” she said.
Rather than having a keynote speaker address the sold-out crowd, three Red Cross Every Day Heroes spoke briefly about the services the organization provides and how being involved has touched them personally.
Judy Winchester of Wallagrass, a disaster volunteer, shared a story about walking into an elderly woman’s home following the Fort Kent flood and being met with tears of joy.
“She said, ‘You wouldn’t believe what the Red Cross just did for me.’ I said, ‘What did they do?’ and she reached behind the curtain and pulled out a teddy bear. To us, it was a teddy bear; to her, it was the start of her teddy bear collection which she had just lost in the flood,” said Winchester. “Red Cross volunteers had brought her a teddy bear to start her new beginning. She had tears and so did I before I left that place. It was an emotional need and the Red Cross met it. I soon became a volunteer after that.
“Another time I went and met with a family who had just lost everything in a fire. As I was sitting there with the parents, the child was asking for this toy and that toy but they had been destroyed. One thing that the child had lost in the fire was his security blanket,” she said. “I had gone to the car before I knew this and had gotten a blanket and asked the parents if it was OK if I gave it to him. They said, ‘Sure.’ When I gave it to him, he said, ‘Thank you, I have a new bankie.’ The joy of that in my heart … to see that little child smile after he had just lost everything was overwhelming. With the Red Cross, it doesn’t matter how rich you are, how old you are, how young you are, how poor you are. Whether you live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the street, they help you. It’s a wonderful feeling to be a Red Cross volunteer and I am honored to be a part of it.”
At the breakfast, prepared remarks from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and Congressman Michael Michaud were read by their regional representatives, Sharon Campbell and Barbara Hayslett, respectively. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins videotaped a message that was aired at the breakfast.
“This celebration reminds us that heroes are not just the people who make the history books, they are also the neighbors who make a difference every day. Today we recognize those who have made a great difference right here in The County,” said Collins. “Whether a spontaneous response to an emergency or an ongoing commitment to others, these are the acts of real heroes. Congratulations to you all.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
Selfless acts of courage and good deeds were recognized last Thursday during the 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast in Presque Isle. Hosted by the American Red Cross—Pine Tree Chapter, WAGM-TV 8/FOX 8 and Northern Maine Community College, the concept for the Real Heroes Breakfast has grown out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross — teaching people how to save lives. Pictured are, from left, front row: Laura Thomas, who nominated and accepted the Neighborhood Friend Award on behalf of Jerry Couture of Sinclair; Marjorie Bell of Caribou, Every Day Helping Hand Award; and Daniel J. Rioux of Fort Kent, Young Courage Award. Back row: Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter; Kim Martin of Caribou, Clara Barton Award; Andrew “Andy” White Sr. of Wade, Valor Award; Mary McCarthy of Mapleton, Red Spirit Award; Kris Doody, representing Cary Medical Center, Extra Mile Award; and Vicki Smith of Katahdin Trust Co., Extra Mile Award.
Recognized as 2011 Real Heroes were:
• Kim Martin of Caribou, who received the Clara Barton Award for helping to care for those who have been wounded physically and emotionally.
Saving a life can be performed in various ways. Martin went above and beyond the call of duty for a young mother after discovering she was in grave danger as a result of a domestic violence situation. Martin provided the necessary assistance this woman needed when her life was threatened. She also provided emotional support to the woman when it came time to press charges. Her encouragement and understanding helped the woman realize she was worthy to live a good life and to be able to provide a bright future for her children. Had Martin not stepped up to the plate to care for this young mother and her children, they may not be alive today.
• Marjorie Bell of Caribou, who received the Every Day Helping Hand Award for exhibiting care and support to others every day.
What makes this award so special is that lives were tenderly touched by Bell every day last year. If you need a ride to receive chemo treatments, she will take you and sit by your side. If you have a doctor’s appointment downstate and do not drive or want to go alone, Bell will take you and make sure you feel supported. When firefighters come in after fighting a blaze, she will surprise them with one of her special cakes — just her way of saying “thank you” for their courage. And when those who have given so much during their lives have been forgotten or need to know that someone cares, Bell works hard to make holiday decorations to brighten nursing home trays.
A military member in uniform may go to pay a bill for his or her meal and find it already paid for — it is her way of saying “thank you” for their sacrifice to our country. She may pick up a pizza for supper and see a couple of young boys standing outside looking as if they are hungry and share a slice or two with them. Her home is always open; if you stop by she will gladly ask you to stay for dinner because there is always room for one more. Though life has given her hardships and losses, Bell lives with a kind and generous heart. Her kind humanitarian efforts mirror the work of the American Red Cross every day.
• Jerry Couture of Sinclair, who received the Neighborhood Friend Award, for realizing and providing help in time of need.
When her husband passed away in early February 2010, a County woman was blessed to have a wonderful neighbor like Couture who came over to check on her every day. Alone and in a wheelchair, Couture continues to visit her every day. He helps her around the house, cuts her grass, shops and delivers groceries, helps with her dog, hauls trash to the road weekly, brings in her mail and even delivers delicious meals prepared by his wife. Now that she is becoming more self sufficient, Couture continues to give his support, friendship and care to the woman who was his friend’s wife. Without his help, the woman would have been challenged in taking care of her home and would have felt so alone. Just like the Red Cross meets the needs of others in emergency situations, Couture continues to meet the immediate needs of his neighbor.
• Mary McCarthy of Mapleton, who received the Red Spirit Award, for performing a life-saving action.
On April 22, 2010, McCarthy and her sister were kayaking on Hanson Lake near her home. She noticed a commotion with some fishermen and as she got closer, she saw that a man was in the water. The Presque Isle Fire Department responded to the scene, but before emergency personnel could get to the man, McCarthy was already in action. She had dropped her sister off on the other side of the lake and went to help the victim. She brought him back to the landing where emergency personnel were waiting. The victim told her that he had been feeling dizzy before falling out of his boat. He was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center.
McCarthy’s quick actions were very important due to the cold temperature of the water that day. When she picked up the victim, his arms and legs were numb from the cold. Thanks to McCarthy, the victim avoided serious hypothermia and spent only a few hours in the emergency room.
• Andrew “Andy” White Sr. of Wade, who received the Valor Award, for performing an act of bravery in order to save a life.
One day last summer, when leaving work a little early for lunch, White drove along the Gardner Creek Road and saw smoke coming from the porch area of a trailer. He turned around to get a closer look when he saw flames. The porch was engulfed so he stopped and moved some things including a generator covered in plastic and other items. He stomped down what he could and used a shovel to put out the flames. He could still hear crackling under the floor. White then called to report the fire and went for water. He was trying to save the home. White found the front door unlocked, so he went in and started filling a pail with water, not realizing that someone was home. To his surprise the owner and her baby were standing behind him, unaware of the fire. He had awakened them and was amazed to find someone home. Had White not taken such quick action, the trailer may have ignited rapidly with the mother and baby inside.
• Daniel J. Rioux of Fort Kent, who received the Young Courage Award, for exhibiting courage, quick thinking and help in time of need.
On a warm summer day last July, Rioux went on a canoe trip down Fish River with a group of friends and family. As a First Class Boy Scout in Troop 189, he had just earned his canoeing merit badge from Camp Roosevelt. Rioux, his aunt, uncle and cousin arrived at the Soldier Pond landing ahead of the other four canoes. They decided to go swimming while waiting for the other members to arrive. While swimming, they got caught in the river’s current. Rioux’s uncle tried to help the 9-year-old cousin who had a life jacket on, but was unable to. The cousin and aunt were able to grab and hang on to a pier; however, Rioux and his uncle were floating downstream. His uncle, who was getting exhausted, continued to try to help Rioux, but began to pull the boy under the water. So Rioux, in turn, gave his uncle calming directions as he helped keep his uncle’s head up by picking him up whenever his uncle would go under water. Rioux learned survival swimming in Boy Scouts and stayed right with his uncle until help arrived. When help did arrive, he and another cousin pulled his uncle to safety. Had Rioux not remained calm in using his swimming and life saving skills, his uncle would have drowned.
• Cary Medical Center, which received the Extra Mile Award for ensuring the mission of the Red Cross is met.
Increasing community awareness about American Red Cross services is so important. Community members need to know that their local Red Cross provides disaster prevention, preparedness and response in emergency situations. The Red Cross serves as a lifeline for military families by transmitting emergency messages, and the Red Cross provides life-saving training and skills. It is because of partners such as Cary Medical Center that the Red Cross message is amplified throughout Aroostook County. Over the past several years, Cary Medical Center has teamed up with the Red Cross in championing a variety of activities. This past year, Cary Medical Center helped to sponsor fund-raising events, provided marketing and promotional support, hosted radio talk shows focused on Red Cross services, helped to generate community involvement in CPR and first aid trainings, and provided accommodations to hold meetings whenever needed.
• Katahdin Trust Co., which also received an Extra Mile Award.
For our community to have a strong Red Cross, partner support and involvement is needed. When Katahdin Trust Co. received the news about hundreds of homes being flooded in the St. John Valley on the morning of April 30, 2008, the bank immediately called the Red Cross office with a donation of $5,000 deposited into a checking account for local Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
Cary Medical Center received an Extra Mile Award at last Thursday’s 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast, hosted by the American Red Cross—Pine Tree Chapter, WAGM-TV 8/FOX 8 and Northern Maine Community College. This past year, the Caribou hospital has helped to sponsor fund-raising events, provided marketing and promotional support, hosted radio talk shows focused on Red Cross services, helped to generate community involvement in CPR and first aid trainings, and provided accommodations to hold meetings whenever needed. Here, Joyce Knorr, left, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, presents the award to, from left: Kris Doody, RN, chief executive officer of Cary Medical Center; Shawn Anderson, chief operating officer; and Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development.
Over the past 12 years, Katahdin Trust Co. has been helping raise funds for the local disaster relief fund. Beginning the second week in January, all of the bank’s 14 branch offices in northern Maine display and sell masterfully crafted stuffed animals for $10 each through Valentine’s Day. The bank’s customers and staff look forward to this fund-raising campaign each year as they add another Mary Meyer critter to their collection, while helping the Red Cross provide services to local disaster victims.
Proceeds from this fundraiser helps the American Red Cross provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, infant supplies, medical equipment and recovery resources to local friends, neighbors and loved ones who experience a fire, flood or other disaster. These services are at no cost to the victims and are provided by generous local donations from individuals, businesses, organizations and championed fundraisers such as this one.
Katahdin Trust Co.’s hard work and generous commitment toward the Red Cross mission has helped to raise nearly $80,000 over the past 12 years. In addition, the bank helps to broadcast Red Cross activities through their ongoing radio media campaigns. If it were not for Katahdin Trust Co.’s strong belief in the mission of the Red Cross, many people would not know what the Red Cross is all about and would not feel assured that the Red Cross will be there in time of need.
For the 10th time, Rene Cloukey, sports director at WAGM-TV, was the master of ceremonies.
Proceeds from the Real Heroes Breakfast will benefit the local Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
