After a car veered off the road into a retention pond in the Town of Clay, the elderly driver was rescued by good Samaritans who witnessed the accident. Tom Drumm and Lasaros Milian swam to the car, removed the driver, and brought her to safety. Once on shore, Judy Kilpatrick and D Paul Waltz, the retired chief of University Police at Upstate Medical University, provided further aid until emergency responders arrived.

Dave Allen has consistently promoted and encourage blood donations in Central and Northern New York by providing the Red Cross with access to his radio audience and by posting updates on his social media platforms. Blood drives typically experience a surge in donor appointments after his promotions. Dave is also a long-time blood donor himself.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh created the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence to strengthen the city’s efforts to reduce and respond to community gun violence. As its first director, Lateef Johnson-Kinsey focuses on a coordinated strategy for anti-gun violence initiatives by working with residents, law enforcement and other community stakeholders.

Connected Community Schools worked alongside the Red Cross to feed the community and distribute supplies after the tornado devastated portions of Rome last July. Throughout the year, the organization mobilizes the community partners to help students become successful, productive, and engaged healthy citizens. In the first five years, they have enrolled over 20,000 students in the program. Its community resources hub connects citizens with services to a wide array of resource needs to address health disparities among vulnerable populations.

A team of first responders from the Otisco Fire Department, led by Chief Tyler Harty, responded to a call regarding a woman pinned underneath part of a tree in a mountainous area of Wonderlands Forest in Otisco. The victim was attending a music festival and was sleeping overnight in a hammock when the top of one of the trees fell on her. The response team drove trucks and an ATV to the site where they were able to free the victim, and transport her on a backboard placed in a special basket to an awaiting ambulance.

While stationed at Fort Drum, the four combat medical specialists had just arrived for an instructional session at a weapon training center when a nearby motorist stopped and yelled for help. She told them that her baby wasn’t breathing.

Using their extensive training, the medics quickly assessed the baby’s condition and then worked collectively to restore the infant’s breathing. The breaths were initially faint, but their sustained efforts brought breathing levels to normal. They also comforted the concerned parents, assuring them that their baby was ok.

The four were honored with the Army Commendation Medal for their heroism.

While enjoying the July 4th holiday with his family at Brantingham Lake in Lewis County, Colin heard commotion from a nearby camp. He then observed someone pulling a swimmer out of the lake. He later learned that the man’s son had rescued his father who lost unconsciousness while diving underwater. Colin, a trained lifeguard and certified in CPR/AED, evaluated the victim’s condition and started compressions. He also confirmed that 911 had been called, and instructed others on how they can help. The man’s breathing was restored, and emergency responders soon arrived for continued intervention and transport.