WINNEMUCCA - Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. They are people who make a difference in the lives of others. More often than not their efforts are unsung.
The American Red Cross held a banquet Sept. 8 to recognize real heroes in Humboldt, Lander and Pershing counties. The people and organizations honored at the dinner were nominated by other community members with knowledge of their deeds.
"Heroes are everday people who affect other people's lives," said Tim Nelson, board member of the American Red Cross and master of ceremonies of the event.
The American Red Cross celebrated the efforts of heroes in six categories; Education Heroes, Youth Heroes, Workplace Safety Heroes, Community Heroes individuals and group, Emergency Responder Hero; with a special recognition for local military members and their families.
A special award for the Spirit of Volunteerism was presented to Sunny Johnson for her years of involvement in the Winnemucca community. Her passion is the recognition of youth and their education, Nelson said.
"I was stunned. There are so many people here who do so much," Johnson said.
Johnson began her involvement with the American Red Cross when she was16 years old.
From 1998 to 2009, she was the director of the Red Cross's Winnemucca Service Center. During that time she implemented the Tommy the Safety Cat program; a program geared toward the three to eight year old, teaching how to keep themselves safe in a variety of situations. In 1998, Johnson started with the Red Cross Winnemucca Service Center with only six volunteers.
"Those six people were phenomenal. We became like a family," Johnson said.
Johnson credited the hard work of the first six volunteers with the growth of the Red Cross services and the addition of over 400 volunteers over the next 11 years, until the Winnemucca Service Center closed in 2009.
These days Johnson keeps busy as the Humboldt County coordinator for the Frontier Community Coalition.
"The FCC has so many important programs. I am really happy to be part of that team," Johnson said.
One of the programs she is working on through the FCC is obtaining a place for local youth groups to meet. Through her cooperation with Brian Nelson, the city of Winnemucca, Newmont Mining Corp. and Barrick Gold, the community's various youth organization will soon have a meeting place in the recreation center.
Admittedly, her passion is with the youth and programs that recognize their contributions to society. Johnson has organized the Youth Awards ceremony scheduled for Sept 22 at 6 p.m. in the Winnemucca Convention Center to recognize the achievements of many local youth.
"These kids are just so amazing," she said.
The ceremony is open and free to the public. Johnson encourages the community to attend and show their support for these youth. The event is sponsored by the FCC.
Johnson serves as the Leo Youth group vice president. She is also a member of the Hemophilia Foundation and an LPN nurse.
Lily Avalos was recognized with the Education Hero award for her work in the Hispanic community. She assists and instructs them about services available in the Frontier Community Action Agency. She works with the Mommies and Me and the Family to Family programs. According to Nelson, she was essential in starting the summer food service program. Avalos also helped create the Spirit of Mexico event, which will take place Sept. 15 at the Winnemucca Convention Center. For more information on this event call 623-2928.
The Youth Hero award went to Torrey Herrera, an Eagle Scout; assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 223 and People to People Ambassador representing his community in Australia. Herrera also attended the American Legion sponsored Nevada Boys State at University of Nevada Reno. He helped found the Winnemucca Lions Leo Youth group, where he currently serves as president and was awarded the Presidential Service Award for 400 hours of community service.
Corey Sample was recognized as a Workplace Safety hero for caring for a fellow employee at the Marigold Mine while he was pinned under a dozer track frame. Sample kept the employee calm during the extrication them splinted and wrapped the injured leg while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Also honored for their Workplace Safety were Diamond Plastics employees Jimmy Mohamad, Elaine Purvis, Fernando Lopez, and Michael Peterson for their swift response in administering CPR/AED to a fellow employee who had a heart attack while at work.
JoAnn Casalez received an individual Community Hero award for her work with the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Shelter. Casalez started the new non-profit called ScrapDV with the help of Kristin Carriere. The nonprofit salvages scrap metal to help fund domestic violence programs.
Also recognized in the individual Community Hero category were James Carver for his many years of volunteerism with the Boy Scout long after his children left the program; Karon Jury-Ferjanec for her three years of involvement with the Winnemucca Relay for Life; Mary Bengoa for organizing the LaRena Smith Bengoa Run, Ride or Walk for the Cure for over 10 years and Sunny Johnson for her involvement in multiple venues to aid others in the Winnemucca area.
Lovelock Correctional Center received the award for the Community Hero group category for its multiple charitable drives. The prison hosts quarterly blood drives, provides military packages to service men and women, collects toys for Toys for Tots, helps seniors with the Santa for Seniors program, collects food for the local food bank, provides scholarships for Pershing County High School and sends clothing and school supplies to Zambia.
The Winnemucca Host Lions Club was also recognized in the group category for its many services to the community. Their contributions to the area include the Lifeline program, eye care for those who can not afford it, the Festival of Trees, Flag Day events and the Fourth of July in the park.
The Emergency Responder Hero was Jeff Casalez for saving a man from committing suicide. Casalez grasped the revolver with one hand and the man's wrist with his other hand while the man tried to aim the gun towards his own head Nelson said.
Nelson recognized local military members and their families attending the banquet. Names announced as they briefly stood to the applause of the crowd included Ellie Prothro, mother of MSG Daniel Prothro; Lea Ann Prokasky, wife of SFC Curt Prokasky; SGT Terry Gamble and his wife Heather Gamble; SGT Dan McVey and his wife Roni McVey and his stepdaughters Samantha Latray, Taylor Latray and Devon Latray, his father Dan McVey; SGT Randy Buckner; SFC Retired Tim Stanton and his wife Barbara Stanton.
A special recognition was made to the late Jim Sealy who was a dedicated volunteer to the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America and other organizations, Nelson said.
Sponsors of the event include Newmont, Barrick, GoldCorp, Cyanco, Coeur, Hycroft, Winnemucca Convention Center, Shadow Mountain Water, Winnemucca inn, Las Margaritas, The Martin Hotel, Dos Amigos, KFC and many raffle item sponsors.
Local singer songwriter, Dusty Ham, kept the audience entertained during dinner.
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