The local chapter of the Red Cross honored several individuals for their efforts at Tuesday’s “Hometown Heroes” award luncheon. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher was the speaker at the event which honored eight individuals for their outstanding and heroic efforts.

Hannah McKinney, Jade VanHook, Jordan Gardner and Hannah Cecil were honored with the Good Samaritan Youth Award. The four Heritage High School students assisted an elderly man who was having a seizure. Utilizing life-saving techniques learned in their health occupations class, they were able to perform CPR and stabilize the man until help arrived. Each student is planning a career in health care.

Will John Rowe was honored with the Red Cross Disaster Award. Mr. Rowe’s service with the Red Cross began with his service on the Appalachian Service Project mission for five years where he helped to repair homes in Appalachia and volunteered at Camp Joy.

He has worked with the Red Cross in disasters in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Dot Garrett is this year’s Red Cross Hospital Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Garrett has been volunteering at Erlanger since June 1955. Over the years, she has devoted every Monday at the information desk at the Erlanger Baroness Campus.

Additionally, she writes letters for patients, delivers, juices and accompanies patients to and from their rooms.

First Responder of the Year Award went to Pastor Fred R. Fuller. While on his way to church one Sunday morning, Pastor Fuller saw a man standing by the road waiving his arms to get someone to stop. Upon stopping, he noticed another man lying on the ground behind the truck. He gave chest compressions until help arrived.

Jim Bailey was honored with the Good Samaritan Adult Award. Mr. Bailey made it possible for the Ronald McDonald house to stay open by donating his service and funds toward helping them get a new cooling system for the facility. He coordinated this project and worked for a week to make sure the House was comfortable for its residents.

“These stories underscore the difference volunteers make throughout our community. Some of the differences are made when a disaster strikes or a fellow citizen is in need; however, some are long term differences made by a sustained commitment to service to others. We are proud to honor each of these individuals and thank them for all they do,” said Red Cross Executive Director Barbara Alexander.