First Lady Melanie A. Blunt
May 16, 2008
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 10, 2008
Contact: Nanci Gonder, 573-751-0290

First Lady Recognizes Heart of a Hero Award Recipients

JEFFERSON CITY - First Lady Melanie Blunt today joined the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for their sixth annual Heart of a Hero event to honor Mid-Missourians who make a difference in the lives of others.

"Today I am pleased to recognize these fifteen unsung heroes who make a difference every day in the lives of those around them," said Mrs. Blunt, Heart of a Hero honorary chair. "I congratulate these men and women and thank them for their sacrifice, dedication, and commitment to their fellow Missourians."

The following are the recipients of the 2008 Heart of a Hero awards:

Business Hero - Sam Bushman
Law Enforcement Hero - Cole County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Petty
Emergency Responder Hero - Charles Dinan
Medical Hero - Dr. Richard Graham
Youth Good Samaritan - Kelsey Ousley
Adult Lifesaver - Tom Pohlman
Marylyn DeFeo Good Samaritan - Gary Wilbers
Youth Lifesavers - Joel Thomas and Tyrel Garrison
First Lady Heart of a Hero - Carol Scott
Local Volunteer Hero - James Klahr
Firefighter Hero - Fulton Fire Chief Dean Buffington
Social Services Hero - Betty Chesnut
Education Hero - Denise Crider
Family Hero - Heather Renkemeyer
Military Hero - Officer Candidate Neilson Rudd

The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross covers 20 counties and one-fifth of the state. Last year the group helped 275 families who lost their homes to disaster, provided assistance to 751 military families, trained 5,600 Mid-Missourians in disaster preparedness, and taught more than 12,560 individuals life-saving skills like CPR and First Aid.

Mrs. Blunt serves as honorary chair of the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also serves as honorary chair for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign and as spokesperson and honorary chair for the Susan G. Komen Mid-Missouri Affiliate. Mrs. Blunt also established the First Lady Awards to honor Missouri women who are making history.

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