CARIBOU — Ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and some of those will be honored at this year’s 18th annual Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast slated for Wednesday, May 11.
The American Red Cross office in Caribou has announced this year’s Real Heroes, which include five Heroes, four Young Heroes, one Red Cross Young Ambassador and one Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. In addition, 10 businesses and organizations will receive Community Impact Awards.
All these County people, according to local Red Cross officials, have gone above and beyond in service to others, and will be lauded for their good works at the May 11 breakfast, to be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
“These folks share a common theme of helping others in need,” said Joyce Knorr, community manager of the Red Cross of Northern and Eastern Maine, based in Caribou. “These awards recognize and thank these very special individuals for taking action and making a difference.”
Receiving Hero Awards for 2016 will be Sandy Albair of Caribou, whose quick action helped save the life of a man suffering a medical emergency; John Tompkins of Easton, for assisting a neighbor who had gotten a leg caught in a snowblower; David Bouley of New Canada and Paul McDonald of New Sweden, who stopped to help save a man from being pinned under his tractor; and Jerry Thibeault of Madawaska, who helped keep a man from jumping off a Caribou bridge.
Young Heroes Award recipients are Blake Vincent of Ashland, who saved his 6-year-old brother from drowning; Robin Albert of Fort Kent, who donated bone marrow and saved the life of her sister with leukemia; Tyler Fitzpatrick of Houlton, who administered medical care to a friend with a severe foot injury; and Archer Noyes of Caribou, who helped care for and saved the life of his grandfather during a medical emergency.
The Young Ambassador Award will be presented to Naomi Rice of Bridgewater. The 5-year-old has donated her full piggy banks to the Red Cross for two years, and has learned the value of giving to those in need.
Bill Flagg of Stockholm, director of community relations and development at Cary Medical Center, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of more than 30 years of service to the local Red Cross.
Community Impact Awards will be given to Cary Medical Center for its efforts in the orchestration of a yearlong home fire preparedness media and public awareness campaign, and to its collaborative partners in the effort, which include WAGM TV, Pine Tree Burn Foundation, Maine State Fire Marshal’s office, Caribou Fire Department, Lister-Knowlton Post 9389 Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary in Caribou , S. W. Collins Company, Inc., Loring Job Corps, Students from Northern Maine Community College and the Aroostook Association of Fire Chiefs.
During the Real Heroes celebration, a silent auction will also take place with over 50 items valued at nearly $5,000 including two round-trip tickets to Boston on PenAir, 100 gallons of fuel oil from Dead River Company, an Echo chain saw, a mega fireworks Package, picnic table, a historical biathlon package, artwork, restaurant and specialty service gift certificates, and much more. All proceeds will go to the Aroostook County Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Tickets to the breakfast are now on sale for a donation of $25 each, and may be purchased by calling 498-5050 or emailing joyce.knorr@redcross.org. Seating is limited and it is recommended to purchase tickets early.
Editor’s Note: More about this year’s Real Heroes will be featured in an upcoming edition.
