Volunteers are the cornerstone of what makes the American Heart Association successful in funding lifesaving research, education, training, and advocacy programs in the Southern Tier. Monday night, the association honored and celebrated the local “Heroes of Heart” at an awards recognition and celebration at Terra Cotta in Binghamton.
Over the years, hundreds of community members have dedicated their time, talent and passion to volunteering for the American Heart Association. Among the awards received were top Southern Tier Heart Walk sponsors; media partners; fundraising companies, teams, and individuals; survivor honorees; Get With The Guidelines® hospitals; student fundraising through Jump Rope For Heart; and the top fundraising companies for National Wear Red Day. The event also recognized the chairman of this year’s Southern Tier Heart Walk, Mario DiFulvio, President and CEO of Horizons Federal Credit Union.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association honored several Heartsaver Heroes during the event. The Heartsaver Hero Awards honor people who take action in an emergency when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. These honorees called 911 and performed CPR, giving cardiac arrest victims their best chance of survival. Monday night’s Heartsaver Hero honorees include a 17-year-old girl who saved her coworker, an off-duty EMT, and six people who worked together to save a neighbor. The Heartsaver Hero Award honorees are Jessica Fitzgerald, Thomas Perry, and Jeff Burdick, Leslie Grubham, Theresa McGovern, Lynda Plain, Kristen Reagan, and Dennis Stashko.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is always a surprise at the end of the night. This year the award was given to Michael Taylor of Union Volunteer Emergency Squad. Taylor dedicates his time and talents to help train companies and community members in the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR.
The Lifestyle Change Award, sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, recognizes individuals who make significant, positive changes to live healthier lives. This year, the award was given to Terri Donovan. Donovan made the decision to change her life. She quit smoking, watched what she ate, and exercised more. Through these efforts, Donovan was able to lose weight, lower her blood pressure and triglycerides. Donovan acts as an inspiration to others by telling her story.
“We are so thankful to the Southern Tier community,” says Heart Walk Director Gina Chapman. “The generous support and dedication of our volunteers and leaders is what makes the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association possible.”
Heroes of Heart Award Winners
| Volunteer of the Year | Michael Taylor |
| Lifetime Champion Award | Magic 101.7 FM |
| Community Partner Award | Julie Raway |
| Lifestyle Change Award | Terri Donovan |
| Heartsaver Hero Awards | Jessica Fitzgerald
Thomas Perry Jeff Burdick* Leslie Grubham* Theresa McGovern* Lynda Plain* Kristen Reagan* Dennis Stashko* *worked together on CPR save |
| National Wear Red Day Fundraising Companies | 1st place – Visions Federal Credit Union
2nd place – The Raymond Corporation 3rd place – Security Mutual Life |
| Top Jump Rope For Heart Fundraising Schools | 1st place – Chenango Bridge Elementary School
2nd place – Port Dickinson Elementary School 3rd place – Tioga Hills Elementary School |
| Southern Tier Heart Walk Chairman | Mario DiFulvio |
| Southern Tier Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team | Dr. Jason Andrews
Dr. Francis Battisti Dr. Charles Campbell Kathy Connerton Maureen Kollar Howie Meller Mark Mushalla Keith O’Hara Joel Patch Towhee Shupka Tim Strong Rob Warholic Ron Siwiec |
| Southern Tier Heart Walk Logistics Chairman | Jeff Greenblott |
| Southern Tier Heart Walk Logistics Committee | Kathy Cramer
George Cummings Brian DeBoyace Terri Donovan Megan Farmer Rich Greene Candy Hamm Brian Peacock Julie Roney Heather Sodon Christina Tran |
| Top Heart Walk Fundraising Companies | 1st place – UHS
2nd place – Horizons Federal Credit Union 3rd place – Weis |
| Top Heart Walk Fundraising Teams | 1st place – Horizons Federal Credit Union
2nd place – Visions Federal Credit Union 3rd place – Colonial Voluntary Benefits |
| Top Heart Walk Fundraising Community Teams | 1st place – Team Wayne and Friends
2nd place – Heart Cup Hockey 3rd place – Gary’s Gang |
| Top Heart Walk Individual Fundraisers | 1st place – Mario DiFulvio
2nd place – Jason Andrews 3rd place – Megan Farmer 4th place – Joe Reagan 5th place – Jeff Greenblott |
| Heart Walk Inspirational Honorees | Keith O’Hara |
| Southern Tier Heart Walk Sponsors | National sponsor – Subway
Signature sponsor – Horizons Federal Credit Union eni (Employee Network, Inc) Cardiology Associates Excellus BlueCross BlueShield GHS Federal Credit Union Guthrie Holiday Inn Binghamton On Point Productions Visions Federal Credit Union Lockheed Martin – Owego Lourdes Hospital UHS The Victor and Esther Rozen Foundation AVANGRID Foundation/NYSEG BAE Systems Columbian Financial Group Newman Development Group Security Mutual Life SUNY Broome Community College William H. Lane, Inc. IBM Endicott Andrew R. Mancici Associates Inc. Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Hinman, Howard, Kattell Tioga State Bank The Akel Family Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy i3 Electronics J & K Plumbing & Heating Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP M&T Bank Matco Electric Corporation Mirabito NBT Bank Rockwell Collins |
| Get With The Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus | UHS Wilson Medical Hospital |
| Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus | Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital |
| Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite | Guthrie Corning Hospital |
| Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus | Arnot Ogden Medical Center |