Heroes of Union County

Ninety people attended the Third Annual Heroes of Union County Breakfast held at Country Cupboard Restaurant.  After a brief annual meeting and election of new officers to the Union County Chapter's Board of Directors, members of the community who had nominated a hero spoke to the crowd about their choices. 

     Paul Hoot, a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity was the first to receive his award in the Service Above Self category.  Paul was honored by his nominator Pamela Purna who told of his selfless dedication to building homes, directing volunteer crews and tracking supplies and tools. 

       Cheryl Walter, RN, of Milton, received the Medical Service Hero award for her work initiating the Critical Stress Management program serving first responders who can be adversely affected by the volunteer work they do.

      It was hard to find a dry eye in the house as Tina Kuhns of Mifflinburg spoke about her daughter Kylie who received the hero award in the Youth Good Samaritan category.  Kylie has raised money and awareness through her foundation, Kelsey's Dream. The foundation honors the memory of her sister who passed away from cancer.  It provides snacks and a chemo duck to every child in the state undergoing therapy for cancer. Kylie's foundation has now begun to branch out to cover the east coast.  

Larry Mitchell, President of Mifflinburg Heritage and Revitalization Association presented a Community Service Hero award to Bob Lynch who has devoted hundreds of hours promoting and preserving the history of Mifflinburg.  In particular his efforts on behalf of the Elias Church, one of the oldest wood frame churches in Pennsylvania, were noted.

John Sumner of Mifflinburg Area High School presented the Military Hero award to Tom Reimensnyder whose contributions to the military during his service in Korea as a Marine, and at home ever since, were highlighted.  Tom has been a long time advocate for service men and women and has also made sure that Mifflinburg students understand the role of the military in everyone's life.

      Rev. Paula Gustafson of St. John's United Church of Christ spoke fondly about her hero, Russ Richard, of Lewisburg. Russ has served in his church in every capacity she could think of and has gone about the business of being a servant leader in a quiet, dignified manner, demonstrated perfectly by the fact that he thought he was at the breakfast to honor someone else!

Hall Solomon of Mifflinburg was honored by his friends from the American Legion Post 410 one of whom, Will Zimmerman, spoke about Hall's contributions to the community.  They include the installation of the first county air raid system, the development of the Harry Haney Memorial ball park and the foundation of the Mifflinburg Ambulance Association. 

"Everyone honored exemplifies the characteristics shared by hundreds of volunteers who travel in and through our lives, we are truly grateful for all that they do for this community,"  said Annie Smith, event coordinator

Polly Patterson, Executive Director of the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross said, "These individuals make Union County the best place to live work and play, we are thankful for them every day."