Earl & Robin Jentes

Nominated by 2007 Community Hero Melissa Willard

So often many everyday heroes don’t draw attention to their good deeds. For Community Hero Awardees, Earl & Robin Jentes, helping others is second nature. Many good people perform missionary work abroad, but the Jentes feel that there is much need right here at home and use their talents to helping neighbors. The couple are very active in their church, the Northview Christian and Missionary Alliance, serve through AWANA Clubs – a children’s Bible Club, along with many others. As farmers, they realize the plights many fellow farmers face and often offer assistance raising money to help with medical needs and other unexpected expenses for fellow farmers. If there is a need in the church for meals, or a neighbor needs wood cut for heat, they are there.  At an early age, their nephew came to live with them and have opened their home to “challenged adults” as well, offering a loving home to live in and prosper. Their giving nature has been passed down to their sons, who volunteer for the Burbank Fire Department, where Earl often helps out in an emergency. The Jentes are a grass roots Wayne County family  –  the kind of people who help make Wayne County a great place to live.

Mary Taylor

Nominated by Charlea Parr

Many of today’s blood donors begin giving their “gift of life” in their late teens or early twenties. For Real Community Hero Mary Taylor, her calling a bit later in life. Mary donated her first pint of blood when she was 85 years young. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross on the blood mobiles well into her early 90’s and organized an “In-Honor Of” blood drive for her daughter Jan, in 2000 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Pittsburg. This summer Mary celebrates her 100^th birthday, and has a long history of helping others in Wayne County. Mary was an original member of the Wooster Hospital auxiliary and also volunteered at the Grange Hall at the Wayne County Fair for years. As a 4-H Club leader, teacher and tutor after retirement, Mary helped shape the lives of countless children over the years – hoping to inspire them to one day become a real community hero!

Tara Hiner

          Nominated by 2007 Community Hero Awardee Deborah Thompson

The evening of February 5, 2008 will be in Tara Hiner’s memory for some time. She had recently completed training and was certified in Red Cross CPR and First Aid through a class held at Wayne College. While at dinner that night with a friend at Grinder’s in Orrville, Tara noticed that an elderly man at a nearby table was chocking on something he had just eaten. The man’s wife began yelling. No one in the restaurant knew what to do or responded. Tara knew she had to act quickly as the man had been choking for several minutes. She approached the man asking him if he needed assistance, which he complied. The man began to hunch over the table so she gave him back thrusts. After three attempts he began to breathe on his own. Tara stayed with him until he and his wife were stable. “Everyone in the restaurant had shocked expressions on their face, as I walked back to my table, having witnessed a young girl who knew just what to do in an emergency situation and had the courage to offer assistance.  It felt so good to help a stranger, and grateful that I had the skills to save a life and had the opportunity to use them so soon after becoming certified.”   

Martha Starkey

Nominated by Glenda Lehman Ervin

Many times good leaders are asked to lead a lot. Community Impact Hero Martha Starkey is just that type of person. Serving many years as the director of the Wayne County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, she works tirelessly to promote all businesses throughout the county. Well respected in the industry, she is often asked for her counsel. Tourism is estimated to bring in $160 million dollars to Wayne County and helps provide nearly 3,000 jobs. Most importantly, she is the mother of two young children and serves as a role model to them and many working mothers.

Officer Howard McComas, Roger Hale, and Garrick DiSalvo

Nominated by Tom Leatherman

On June 22, 2007, Rittman Police Officer Howard McComas was dispatched to respond and assist with a cardiac arrest victim at the Rittman Recreation Department. Officer McComas had previously been trained and certified to perform CPR and the use of the automated external defibrillator, but really did not know when and if he would ever be called upon to use these skills. Upon entering the Rittman Recreation Center, Officer McComas found two Rittman Recreation staff members, Garrick DiSalvo and Roger Hale already working on Greg Dean, who had collapsed while playing basketball and was in full cardiac arrest. Immediately Officer McComas set up and activated the Lifepack Defibrillator on the victim. By the time the EMS personnel arrived on the scene, Greg was conscious and breathing on his own, and after a brief stay in the hospital recovered. He owes his life to the quick actions of the three rescuers.   

James Thomas and Todd Williams

Nominated by Howard Zuercher

With age comes wisdom and courage, but for 12 and 13 year and Real Community Heroes James Thomas and Todd Williams, courage came at an earlier age. Last December and just a week before Christmas, James and Todd, were trying to make some extra money to buy Christmas gifts by shoveling snow in their neighborhood. While canvassing the neighborhood looking for shoveling jobs, they noticed smoke and flames coming out of the window of a home near where they were working. Acting quickly and without regard for their personal safety, the boys rushed across the street and began pounding on the front door. Through their efforts they were able to open the door wide enough to yell inside and wake up the sleeping family. Their actions saved the lives of the family.

Charlotte Rose Cramer

Nominated by the American Red Cross

Real Community Hero, Charlotte Rose Cramer, represents the best of what our Red Cross Chapter has given to the community in our 91 year history. Charlotte was twice honored for her efforts and support of the American Red Cross during World War II, by the National Red Cross. She served in the March, 1945 Midwest floods for the national disaster services. A native of Wooster, she graduated from Wooster High School, and then the College of Wooster in 1940. Shortly afterwards, she began her career as the Executive Secretary to the Red Cross Wayne County Chapter, working closely with Chapter Chairman and Wooster Mayor Ralph Fisher. Recruited once again to duty in June 1947 to serve on the national disaster Midwest flooding, Charlotte was traveling to Washington DC to receive her assignment. In route, her plane crashed killing all fifty passengers on board. Charlotte was only 30 years old. She is the only member of the American Red Cross Wayne County Chapter, and one of the few nationally , who died in the line of duty. “Her courage, loyalty and gallant spirit exemplify the best of Red Cross workers.” H.Nearman, Director of Disaster Services, American National Red Cross

Tracy Shelton

Nominated by Stacey Rehm

Children are precious and vulnerable to their surroundings and dependent on their parents. Grandparents also look forward to being the secondary caregiver, seeing their grandchildren during family events and holidays – not expecting to be the primary giver. For Real Community Hero, Tracy Shelton, her grandson Brian is the most important person in her life. At 3 months of age he became a  victim of “shaken baby syndrome”. He was not expected to live, walk, talk or have much of a life afterwards. Because much love, hard work, sacrifice and determination, Brian has made some amazing strides. As an active 4 year old, he can walk and talk, run and is enrolled in school. Tracy has spent many hours working with Brian and quit her job so she could help him continue to develop his skills and his vocabulary. Tracy has not only increased the quality of Brian’s life – she quite frankly saved it.

Betty Long

Nominated by 2007 Community Hero Connie Ross

So often many everyday heroes suffer personal loss and have difficult paths to follow themselves. For Real Community Hero Betty Long, the road has not always been an easy road to travel. Having dealt with cancer and losing her best friend and husband two years ago, Betty continues her mission by helping others. As the coordinator of the Doylestown food bank, she makes sure that the needs of the families they serve are met. Betty organizes teams of volunteers over the holidays to feed needy families who have fallen upon hard times. Last Christmas, the food pantry furnished 179 families with much needed food and good will during the holidays. Betty and her volunteer staff continue to help meet the needs of many families in northeast Wayne County.

Ron Geiser

Nominated by June Wilson

While on vacation with his family, Real Hero Ron Geiser had the opportunity to put into action his CPR and First Aid skills. Only three weeks earlier, Ron had become re-certified in these skills. Ron and his family were using a pool at a hotel they were staying at in Niagara Falls, when he noticed a 5 year old girl was face down in the water. He quickly assisted a hysterical mother in getting the child out of the pool. Ron proceeded to perform CPR on the child. Within a few minutes of working on the child, he noticed a response and the girl began breathing on her own. Ron had saved her life. The EMS squad arrived and transported the child to the hospital. The next day he was relieved to meet up with the girl and her family, where she appeared bright eyed and very much active. “Words cannot express how wonderful a feeling it is to save someone’s life. My training just kicked in and did what I needed to do. I just focused on the child. I can’t describe how great it feels.”  

American Ex-Prisoners of War, North Central Ohio  Chapter

Nominated by the American Red Cross

 Courage and heroism are characteristics that cannot be taught. For thousands of men and women who have served valiantly in the military and  given of themselves, these characteristics speak volumes. In 1942, information was spreading throughout the country of the sub-human treatment our prisoners of war were receiving. The families began to hear of the atrocities and began a campaign to insure human treatment to those captured, in line with the Geneva Conventions. Through the efforts of family members, the “Bataan Relief Organization” was formed, whose motto was “We will not let them down”. The group campaigned for the human treatment of all soldiers captured through war. Soon chapters of the group sprang up all over the United States, eventually changing the name to the “American Ex-Prisoners of War”, to include those also captured in Europe. Originally, the “core” group included 120,000 who survived captivity – now some 19,000 remain. The average age of the group is 85 year old, and although the group began from the Word War II generation, they do extend their membership to former prisoners from any war. The group continues to this day, offering support, information and friendship to those who experienced a common experience. Our Chapter, which covers nine counties, was chartered in November 1983. It continues to meet regularly, supporting one another, and carrying on their legacy. The American Red Cross and our Country is proud to those who are serving a