Red Cross honors Middle Georgia’s ‘Hometown Heroes’

A fallen Macon firefighter, Bibb deputies’ nationally recognized kindness to a bullied boy and a Girl Scout’s outreach to struggling Houston County families achieved “Hometown Hero” status Wednesday.

The Central Midwest Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross annually recognizes Middle Georgians who strive to make life better for others facing disaster, health crises or the pitfalls of everyday life.

In a breakfast ceremony at the Museum of Aviation, the sacrifice of Lt. Randy Parker, who died in a floor collapse in a 2015 house fire, will be honored along with crew members with him that night: Sgt. Adam Michie, Sgt. Matthew Couey and Pvt. Benjamin Bollinger.

Bibb County sheriff’s deputies Trinicholas Carswell, Timothy Jones and Jeff Howell made national news after The Telegraph’s story of their kindness in buying new shoes for a boy being bullied about his sneakers.

Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Caroline Gowan helped dozens of families in Houston County through the Loads of Love project, where volunteers washed clothes for cash-strapped families.

Nurse Dairlyn Brown saved the life of a volunteer who collapsed at a community event and Dawn Scott rescued a child who could not swim form a pool at Fort Benning.

Meals on Wheels volunteer Allen Richardson brightens the lives of people at least three days a week by delivering food and helping his clients by trimming hedges, house repairs and even buying a microwave for someone in need.

Todd Robinson, who spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force has a passion for helping people overcome addictions and restore their lives.

Ben McElreath looked beyond his daughter’s death to help other children suffering from similar conditions, and Larry and Beverly Ellgass serve others through the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia.

Sgt. Matt Giegler and Investigator Corey Coble also were recognized for rescuing a Bibb County high school student who left campus without permission and after four days was safely returned home.

The Red Cross accepts nominations from the community to annually recognize those whose efforts are not always celebrated.

“Through our work responding to disasters and supporting our military community, the Red Cross encounters heroes each and every day,” the Red Cross’ Connie Hensler stated in a news release about the program.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 5:45 AM with the headline "Red Cross honors Middle Georgia’s ‘Hometown Heroes’."