PLAINS TWP. — Celebrating 100 years of local service, the American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania honored 19 individuals for their heroic actions during the organization’s Centennial Celebration in the Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono Thursday.
One of the evening’s good Samaritan honorees, Madeline Dworak, was working her shift at the Pittston YMCA when she noticed a good friend and regular member collapse. Trained and certified in CPR by the American Red Cross, Dworak rushed to the member’s aid as she performed CPR for nearly 10 minutes until paramedics arrived.
Sitting at a table with her family, Dworak said she was previously trained as a lifeguard and has been certified in CPR since 2010, taking refresher courses every other year after. That training – mixed with quick thinking and the ability to stay cool, calm and collected – allowed Dworak to save her friend’s life.
“It was out of instinct,” the 23 year-old said of helping the member in need. “It’s very warm and welcoming,” she said of the event, “and I’m very excited about it.”
Themed “Celebrating our Everyday Heroes,” the event honored trained professional first responders as well as good Samaritans who acted heroically in a time of need during the past year. Police officers, firefighters, animal rescuers and civilians included some of the evening’s honorees.
American Red Cross of NEPA Executive Director Bill Goldsworthy said the event encompassed the four northeastern counties the Red Cross serves — Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming and Susquehanna — and showed the amount of support the organization receives through volunteerism. Goldsworthy noted that, throughout thpse counties, only six employees are paid, with the rest being active volunteers.
“What we do is just amazing, and it’s a true testament to our volunteers of serving a community,” he said, urging residents to get involved within their communities. “Tonight we’re honoring 19 people who have come out and saved someone or helped someone in some way. What better satisfaction can you possibly have than helping someone by possibly saving their life?”
