This year, the group kicked off its fundraising campaign by finding heroes from all sectors of the community - and giving them special recognition.
Humanitarians, environmentalists and educational champions - along with everyone in between - were honored Thursday. Receiving awards were:
— Humanitarian Hero: Learwinson Jackson and Mike Meredith, for their work to decrease the crime recidivism rate: “(Jackson and Meredith) are on an educational mission to raise the level of employment competency for those struggling most to break into the workforce of Troup County,” an awards program said. Working with Walt’s World in La-Grange, the pair offer a free twice-a-week skills and em-ployment-development class which is used by the local drug court, family court and Department of Family and Children Services.
— Good Samaritan Hero, Youth: Mary Catherine Wilder, for her work with the local chapter of the Red Cross. Wilder was the designer of the 2008 Red Cross Day T-shirt as well as spearheading other fundraising ideas. The LaGrange Academy student also volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and other organizations, according to the Red Cross.
— Good Samaritan Hero, adult: Barbara Booker, for working with children in her neighborhood while battling cancer: Booker moved to LaGrange after Hurricane Katrina and quickly befriended the children in her apartment complex. Children stay with Booker after school and use her computer, play games, do homework and learn to cook.
“In recent months, Barbara has been battling cancer and chemotherapy treatments,” Red Cross officials said. “Even so, she has continues to nurture these children,” even timing her medications to be at her best when they arrive.
— Workplace Hero: Angeline Brooks, a social worker at Twin Fountains Home, and Denise Monteith, an administrative assistant at Milliken Design Center, who raise money for March of Dimes and the United Way of West Georgia. Brooks began the first nursing home GED program in Georgia, as well as coming up with unique programs and activities for other residents.
“You never know what idea she will come up with next. However, you can be assured it will make a difference in the lives of residents at Twin Fountains,” the Red Cross said.
Monteith “is constantly going above and beyond to make sure the (fundraising) goals are reached and even exceeded,” officials said.
— Military Hero: Dave Lyons, for his work with Disabled American Veterans. Lyons coordinates drivers for the DAV van to take patients to veterans clinics in Atlanta and Tuskegee, Ala.
“(Lyons) also takes calls from many of the more than 5,000 veterans in Troup County, making sure they get a seat on the van so they can get to their doctor’s appointments on time,” the Red Cross said.
— Health and Safety Hero: The Baptist dental van, which, through volunteer efforts of dentists and other organizations, has helped more than 200 people get dental care since October 2007. The Red Cross honored Margaret Ross, who helped organize the van and schedules patients.
“The Baptist dental van has truly made a difference by taking away the pain, providing dentures and improving smiles,” the Red Cross said.
— Educational Hero: Renea Willis, chairwoman of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Education committee: “(Willis) is a constant advocate for education wherever and whenever possible, actively searching for solutions to education challenges in Troup County and putting the spotlight on education successes,” Red Cross officials said.
— Environmental Heroes: Mack Reese, for his development of the Highland Park subdivision in LaGrange, and Dick Timmerberg, executive director of the West Point Lake Coalition. Reese set aside more than one-third of the Highland Park property for greenspace, as well as replacing every tree cut down for the project with at least two new ones. Trees cut down were used to build a chapel/community building on the property.
Timmerberg has worked as executive director of the coalition for the last nine years since arriving in LaGrange and most recently has been active with the West Point Lake Advisory Committee, which will continue to try to influence the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in its update of the water-control plan. Timmerberg also worked with the corps to put lighted buoys on the lake, making it the first corps lake in the United States to be illuminated at night.
— Emergency Response Hero: Aimee Clark, a member of the Valley, Ala., emergency response team who managed the local response to hurricanes Ivan and Frances in 2004: “When residents of the Gulf Coast began evacuating due to Hurricane Gustav in 2008, Aimee again went into action,” the Red Cross said. A shelter was opened in the Valley Community Center, and Clark stayed there nearly all of the time it was open, coordinating meals, volunteers and getting supplies.
— Community Partner Hero: Lewis Goode of Ideal Cleaners, who cleans hundreds of coats a year at no charge for the LaGrange Kiwanis Club’s “Coats for Kids” campaign: “Lewis and his staff not only help clean the coats, they help collect them as well,” the Red Cross said. The 2008 effort resulted in 500 coats and other clothing for children in need.
Thursday’s ceremony recognized all the hero nominees as well as the more than 50 heroes who have been charged with raising $1,000 each this year for the Red Cross chapter. The Heroes campaign, in its fourth year, includes 14 local schools this year who are in the middle of or already completed their fundraising.
“All the schools have been enthusiastic in their support,” said Sharon Alford, Red Cross board member.
Red Cross Executive Director Connie Hensler said the Hero award program was so popular this year that it likely will be repeated next year with an even bigger response.
— To donate to the Heroes campaign or for more information about being a fundraising hero, call the chapter office at (706) 884-5818.
Jennifer Shrader can be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.
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