James Lemley & Nathaniel Walker

Nominated by Bobbie Douglas

For those who are recovering from addiction, Real Community Heroes, James Lemley and Nathaniel Walker, have helped save lives. The Heroes are the co-founders of the OASIS Recovery Club – a safe and supportive environment for people in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. A project from STEPS, the duo over saw the creation of the club and helped establish an advisory board and in the design of the facility. They recruited volunteers and have raised over $60,000 for OASIS – all in the effort to help those in recovery. Since opening last December, the club averages over 50 individuals each day – providing them a safe haven. It also helps keep those in the program away from places and individuals who could curtail their recovery. 

Jean Baird

Nominated by Quota International

Honored as the Quotarian of the Year, Athena Award recipient, member of the Wooster Wall of Fame, Main Street Wooster Award, Chamber of Commerce Award. For someone to amass awards and receive recognition from many different organizations, speaks volumes of the type of person they are and the love of helping others they convey. For Real Community Hero Jean Baird, there are few organizations or community offices she has not held in Wooster over the years. A key member of the Wooster City Hall staff for many years, Jean helped make Wooster an “All American City”. After retiring in 2001, Jean quickly jumped back into directing in one of her first loves, the theatre. Always the teacher, always the organizer, and always the friend, Jean used her talents to make this community better. The thousands of lives she has touched over the years speak volumes of her character.   

Lt. Wally Szentpetery

Nominated by Sheriff Thomas Maurer

For Real Community Hero, Lt. Wally Szentpetery, helping people is his job. A member of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Szentpetery “often goes beyond the call of duty”, as described by Sheriff Maurer. Every day he, along with his fellow officers, place their lives and safety at risk. As a police officer he often finds himself helping people dealing with crisis. The least desirable part of his job is in working with people dealing with the foreclosure of their home. He works with families, banks, attorneys and courts to ease the loss of a home due to foreclosure, always looking for alternatives for his clients. He often provides immediate assistance in helping families find alternate living arrangements. He has an important job, few would want to do. Lt. Szentpetery has consistently makes the situation easier for the family, allowing them to maintain their dignity in an unfortunate and tragic situation.

Michael Lezak

Nominated by Members of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce

For Real Community Hero, Mike Lezak, education and sharing were part of his mantra. Mike served for thirty years at the Wayne County Career Center, the last five years as the School District Superintendent. Following his retirement from the education field, Mike worked to protect the interests of businesses, both large and small, as the Executive Director of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. An active member in the community, Mike participated in several local organizations including the Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball, and the Wayne County Officials organization. He also served on boards with the United Way, Junior Achievement and Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, Mike was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and shortly after lost his battle to the disease. After his death, as a tribute to his accomplishments, leadership and love for this community, the Chamber’s volunteer award was renamed as the Mike Lezak Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies Mike’s characteristics of integrity, respect and volunteer spirit.        

Major Mary West

Nominated by Members of the Salvation Army Board

Major Mary is a team player, working with other non-profit agencies for the betterment of the community and her clients; always  willing to share her experience and compassion to help those who live here. When she first came to Wooster, the Salvation Army as an agency was struggling. As Major Mary would say” Through the grace of God” and a lot of hard work, she guided the agency to stability. A community activist, Mary feels that she has made the greatest impact on the area youth. Through the ministry of the Youth Center, the tutoring program and the youth mentoring programs, Mary has touched the lives of hundreds of children, giving them hope. The Family Life Center was a vision Mary saw when she first came to Wooster. The Center offered a safe place where kids could go to have fun, play games and receive guidance in an environment where they were made to feel welcomed and wanted. Major West will be retiring shortly, she plans live in Wooster and continues to be a positive influence in the Community.

Relda Smith

Nominated by Wooster High School Students & Faculty

Good teachers are remembered long after graduation. Real Community Hero, Relda Smith, will be remembered for a long time. Relda has been a positive influence on Wooster High School students for many years. There is rarely an event that the high school is involved where she is not actively involved or has a high influence of its outcome. If it is the Freshman Orientation, Staff breakfast, College Fair, or various community involvement activities with area non-profit agencies, Mrs. Smith is there with her kids. Relda has prepared hundreds, if not thousands, of young adults for their next stage in life. She has broadened their understanding of giving back to the community and getting involved. She has taught them that Wooster is their community and it will only be as good as they help it to be. Relda is true to her profession – true Blue (and Gold), and true to the community.

Susan Marlar

Nominated by Tricia Pycraft

For hundreds of families in the Wayne County Community Susan is a Real Community Hero. Over the past three years, Susan has coordinated the Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Family and Individual Life Skills Vision Council through the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties. As a Certified Public Accountant and Wooster School Board Member, she has trained an army of volunteers to assist the general public with free tax preparation. Through her efforts, and those of her volunteers, hundreds of Wayne County residents have been able to file their taxes on time and in accordance with the laws, and many have been able to receive their Earned Income Tax Credit without having to pay high interest rates or exorbitant fees. The VITA program has brought over $175,000 of earned income back into our community – making a real community impact, helping families and businesses.  

Marine Family Support Group

Nominated by the American Red Cross AFES Program

When was the last time you thanked a veteran or acknowledged a service member? There are many families throughout the United States and many here in Wayne County who hold their breath every night and say a prayer for a loved one deployed somewhere in the world. For local families, these situations are all too real. Military families are a close knit group. To help families cope with their separation and with real life dilemmas as well, they work together. The Wooster Area United States Marine Family Support Group is a team of families, who understand what it is to have their hero deployed in the military. Kim Hershberger and Brenda McIntyre lead a group of Marine Families who elect to stay involved in the community, keeping informed and providing a shoulder for fellow Marines to lean on when needed. Their group has been active for several years and will remain active until all of their “family” returns.

Matt Crusie

Nominated by Fellow Officers of the Wooster Police Department

Police Officers rarely get the credit they deserve and place their life at risk every day they go to work. For Real Community Hero Matt Cruise, placing himself at risk is just part of the job. Matt is a 15 year veteran of the Police Department. He has served as a detective, member of the SWAT Team and Honor Guard. When Matt learned of a close family friend was in dire need of a kidney transplant, true to his nature, he got tested . Upon realizing that he was a match, Matt made the courageous decision to donate one of his kidneys. The surgery was performed this past January, both Matt and the recipient Lisa came through the surgery fine and are recovering. As Capt. John Quicci stated, “Matt’s choice was not simply done to help a friend in need. He would have done this for anyone. It is truly a privilege to call Matt a friend.”

Viola Startzman, MD

Nominated by Members of the Startzman Free Clinic

Dr. Viola Startzman’s professional life is astounding enough on its own merit, having graduated from the College of Wooster and being one of only four women in a class of 100, to enter the Western Reserve School of Medicine, graduating in 1945. She completed her residency and later taught at what is now Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. She practiced medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and retired in 1979. For most people this would have been a full and meaningful career. When she returned to Wooster, Dr. Startzman became the director of the College of Wooster Student Health Center. At age 78, she was named chairperson of a committee which was formed to help serve the health needs of the uninsured and under-insured residents in the community. After much hard work, in August 1995, Healthcare 2000 Community Clinic opened its doors. In 2000, the Clinic’s name was changed to the “Viola Startzman Free Clinic,” to honor the person who was the driving force behind the project. Thousands of people’s lives have been saved and many families helped because of the work Dr. Startzman has provided.

Rittman EMS

Nominated by Chief Andy Baillis

It was just ”another day at the office” for the Rittman EMS squad, Officers Jeromy Straub, Sam McComas, Curtis Russell, Adam Dheel, Jason Wellman, Cale Bachman and Jay Russell. All are being recognized for Real Community Heroes for performing CPR and saving Arthur Rowe who suffered a massive heart attack last August. An All-Call was requested dispatching all seven responders. Upon arriving, the team found Mr. Rowe’s wife and a neighbor attempting to revive him. The rescuers arrived within minutes of the initial call, assessed the situation and decided to use an automatic external defibrillator. After one shock, the patient had a pulse and viable heart rhythm. Mr. Rowe completed cardiac rehab and several weeks later returned home. The teamwork of all involved shows the importance of early recognition, rapid notification of 911, early CPR, and proper utilization of a defibrillator by the Rittman EMS squad.

Betty Cline & Nancy Rowe

Nominated by Rittman EMS

The afternoon of August 9, 2008 will remain in the thoughts of our Real Community Heroes, Betty Cline and Nancy Rowe, for the rest of their lives. Nancy and her husband Arthur, were doing yard work outside their Rittman home. Suddenly, Arthur collapsed from cardiac arrest. Fortunately for him, his wife and neighbor Betty Cline rushed to his side to give aid. Although not formally trained in CPR, the two rescuers “gave it their best effort,” as Nancy stated. Within minutes of a 911 call, the Rittman EMS squad was on scene and took over the rescue efforts. They stabilized Mr. Rowe and transported him to the hospital. The EMS officers stated that the duo helped enough to sustain Arthur until they arrived on the scene. Arthur survived and remained in the hospital for several weeks.

Ryan Davies

Nominated by the Phyllis Hackel

 “Hero”, is a term most people don’t like being labeled as. In fact, heroes don’t do their “heroic deed” for the notoriety – they do it simply to help others. For Real Community Hero, Ryan Davies, being a hero is something he is still coming to grips with. Ryan is deeply involved with his church and the members of the congregation. When he learned of another church member needing a life saving kidney transplant, Ryan did the only thing he knew to do, he helped. “Ryan’s character speaks for the love of his fellow man. He is, by far, a great husband and father. His gentle nature brings people closer to him.” This is an extraordinary gift to give someone, especially a non-relative. But Ryan did one better. While presented with a similar situation, fellow 2009 Community Hero, Matt Cruise, spoke with Ryan on the “ins and outs” of being an organ donor prior to Matt’s donation. The two Heroes unselfishly gave of themselves – saving the lives of two others. There is no greater gift to give, than of one’s own self.

Janet Horst, Barry Welch  & Erin Linsalata

Nominated by Darin Ellinger – Orrville Buehlers

Each day when you get up and go to work, or conduct the activities of your day can you totally predict how you will effect someone’s life? For Blake and Zetta Sommer, a trip to Buehler’s will be a trip they remember for a long time. This past January the couple was shopping at the Orrville Buehler’s Market where Blake suffered a serious heart attack. Luckily for him, Janet Hurst, a nurse, who was a customer and Erin Linsalata, a recent nursing school graduate and Buehler’s cashier, immediately knew what to do. They instructed bystanders to call “911” and immediately began CPR. They were quickly joined by Barry Welch, the store manager, who brought an External Automated Defibrillator and applied a shock, restoring Blake’s heart beat. Moments later, rescuers from the Orrville EMS squad arrived on scene and transported him to Dunlap Hospital for treatment. Within several days he recovered to the point where he could be released. Due to the quick response of all those involved, Blake survived. A trip to the market will always have a different meaning for the Sommer family. And they will always have a special place in their hearts for our Heroes.   

Sponsorship Opportunities

As a community leader in emergency preparedness, prevention and response, the American Red Cross is honoring individuals in Wayne County whose extraordinary acts of courage and kindness makes them a Real Hero.

Levels of Sponsorship

Event Sponsor - $ 2,000

This sponsor will have the benefit of a Title Sponsor for the event. Recognition on the cover of the program as well as a full page acknowledgement within the program, recognition in signage at the event, an opportunity to address the audience at the luncheon, and mentioned in all print and broadcast promotions. Other benefits of the Event Sponsorship include a link on the Red Cross web site, name recognition on display at the Chapter, and recognition in the Red Cross quarterly newsletter mailings. The Event Sponsor will also receive one complimentary table (8 tickets) for the breakfast for employees and/or family members.

Awards Sponsor - $1,000

As an Awards Sponsor, you will be recognized in all print and broadcast materials promoting the breakfast. You will also receive ½ page recognition in the event program as well as signage at the event. You will have the opportunity to place a link to your website on the Red Cross website and you will have recognition on display at the Red Cross Chapter. All Award Sponsors will receive 4 complimentary tickets to the event to be used by employees or family members.

Heroes Friend - $ 500

As a Heroes Friend you will be recognized in the event program and receive 2 complimentary tickets to the event.

Proceeds from the Real Community Heroes Event will help cover expenses for this community event and assist the American Red Cross continue to provide critical Health & Safety, Disaster, Blood, Youth and Military Services to all residents of Wayne County.

Contact the Red Cross for sponsorship and nomination forms

2007 Real Community Hero, Patrice Smith accepts her award from Dwight Douce, Chairman of the Board for the American Red Cross. Patrice donated a kidney to a stranger—and a month later ran in the Boston Marathon!

 2007 Real Community Heroes

Mayor James “Jamie” Howey;  Kathi Bond;  Blake Swartz;  Stanley C. Gault;  Randy & Melissa Willard—Life’s Little Adventure Farm;  Connie Ross;  Barry Romich;  Wooster Area Army Support Group;  Jack Miller;  Brenda Ziegler—Caring Therapy Canines;  Tolan Shane;  David Shaffer;  Douglas Stuart;  Melissa Leighty;  Dr. William Smith;  Joseph DeLuca Jr;  Captain James Richards;  Patrice Smith;  Deborah Thompson;  Jennifer Snowbarger;  Tom West;  Wayne Corp;  John Conrad;  Clair Bixler;  and Marion Hochstetler. 

2008 Real Community Heroes

Betty Long; Martha Starkey; Earl & Robin Jentes; Tracy Shelton; Mary Taylor; Ron Geiser; Tara Hiner; Howard McComas; Roger Hale; Garrick DiSalvo; Charlotte Rose Cramer; the American Ex-Prisioners of War, North Central Ohio Chapter; James Thomas; and Todd Williams.

Elizabeth Taylor

Nominated by James Taylor

Heroes come in all different shapes and sizes. 2009 Real Community Hero, Elizabeth Taylor (aged 5 years), is both our youngest and smallest recipient to date. Last June, Elizabeth and her father James were involved in a car accident while traveling through Burbank. Their car lost control, flipped over several times and came to rest on its roof.  James was knocked unconscious and seriously injured during the accident. Elizabeth suffered a broken cheek bone. Elizabeth saw that her father was unconscious and severely bleeding. Although she was injured, she knew she had to get help. Elizabeth crawled out from under the car and began walking down the country highway to get help. A passing motorist stopped to see if she was alright. Elizabeth explained that she and her father  were in an accident and needed help. James was life-flighted to Akron General Hospital and Elizabeth was treated at Akron Children’s Hospital. Both father and daughter have since recovered from their injuries, but James knows that Elizabeth saved his life. “I call her my little angel, she saved my life”, stated James. She is an extraordinary little girl.