On a rainy May morning, hundreds of Southern Tier residents flocked to downtown Binghamton’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for the annual American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter’s Real Heroes breakfast.
The Southern Tier Chapter recognizes individuals and groups from Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Sullivan, Tioga and Tompkins counties in New York and from Susquehanna County in Pennsylvania in 12 different categories.
In 2025, recipients included teenagers who helped save a classmate’s life after a swimming incident, a group of people who helped a bear with a can on its head and an 8-year-old who saved his brother from choking.
Here are this year’s honorees and their stories.
The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross held its annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Todd Diamond Jr. rescued a double amputee from a house fire
At 2 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2024, Todd Diamond Jr. let his dogs out and noticed a fire raging in a carport of a nearby Norwich home. After attempting to douse the flames with water unsuccessfully, Diamond focused on rescuing the occupants inside.
Inside, Diamond reached a woman who was unable to escape on her own due to a double amputation and he helped her into her wheelchair. With flames near her bedroom wall and smoke filling the room, Diamond attempted to maneuver the wheelchair on his knees and stomach, then picked the woman up and carried her out in his arms after she fell from the chair.
The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross held its annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
A group of friends saved AJ Presto from bottom of the pool
At a pool party on June 14, 2024, Finian Dollaway, Joseph Paugh, Gabriel Tallant and Ally Zaverton were celebrating the end of the school year. The teens’ friend AJ Presto dove into the shallow end of the pool, and they witnessed him at the bottom, unable to move.
Dollaway, a trained lifeguard, brought Presto to the surface, where the group lifted him from the water and used their lifeguard training to stabilize Presto. Zaverton suggested putting Presto in a chair to support his neck, and the group immediately mobilized to help Presto, who was treated by paramedics and is currently recovering from spinal injuries.
John Ewanciw, right, receives the Animal Rescue Award at the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross’ annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Blossom and John Ewanciw helped countless animal patients
As a longtime resident of Cornell University’s Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals, Blossom, a 14-year old Jersey cow, helped countless animal patients by donating blood and vital fluid. Throughout her time at Cornell, Blossom also helped educate veterinary students and engaged children at annual open house events.
John Ewanciw, Blossom’s caretaker, officially became the cow’s owner following her retirement in 2024. Blossom currently lives on Ewanciw’s farm, where she enjoys grassy fields and connecting with people.
From left, Fritz Rudin, Danielle Wagner and Everett Wagner receive the Good Samaritan Adult Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast on May 14, 2025. Maggie Hogan, not pictured, also received the award.
Maggie Hogan, Fritz Rudin, Danielle Wagner and Everett Wagner teamed up to help a bear
After noticing a black bear with a large tin can stuck on its head, Everett Wagner and Fritz Rudin worked to remove the animal from their cow pasture in June 2024. While calling for help, Danielle Wagner managed to connect with Maggie Hogan, a local wildlife expert.
Working together, Everett Wagner and Rudin managed to lasso the bear and tied it to a tree, while Danielle Wagner brought vegetable oil to help the tin can slide off the bear’s head. After being liberated from the can, the bear initially turned toward the group, but ran off shortly after being saved.
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin Executive Editor Kevin Hogan presents Quentin Giles with the Workplace Safety Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Quentin Giles’ quick actions saved a man who collapsed during a workout
After saving a man’s life in a restaurant in 2020, Giles knew one of his first purchases as a gym owner would be an Automated External Defibrillator. In February 2024, Giles had to use his AED after a man collapsed while working out in his gym.
Giles, along with two nurses, used the AED and compressions to revive the man, who began breathing and was able to speak when ambulance crews arrived at the scene.
At left, Marshall Vendetti receives the Good Samaritan Youth Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Marshall Vendetti, 8, stepped up for his family in an emergency situation
In September 2024, Marshall Vendetti’s mother, Sara Vendetti, was driving him and his brother Paxton home after visiting a local McDonald’s, when Paxton began to choke. After pulling over, Sara Vendetti got out of the car, but it was in reverse, and she was hit by the car door, her foot was caught, and the car pulled her backwards alongside the highway.
Acting quickly, Marshall patted his brother on the back and restored his breathing and reached from the back seat to engage the emergency brake, allowing his mom to regain her footing. Despite his fear and anxiety, Marshall stepped up and helped his family in a dangerous situation.
At center, Jen Rygel and Lisa Peterson receive the Blood Donor Award at American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025. Amy MacDougall, not pictured, also received the award.
Corning’s Sullivan Park blood drive team has saved thousands
As part Corning Incorporated’s Sullivan Park research facility, this group of eight volunteers have organized blood drives for years. Following the temporary end of blood drives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group began to hold blood drives again in 2023, and has collected over 1,000 donations over the past three years.
The team, represented by Amy MacDougall, Lisa Peterson and Jen Rygel, has worked for years to improve the blood drive, including creating an online scheduling system and outreach methods to increase blood donations.
Nurse Nicolette Wood’s wrong turn helped save a man’s life
At center, Nicollette Wood receives the Medical Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
While returning home from a Luke Combs concert in April 2024, Wood and her husband and friend missed their exit, and encountered a situation where Wood’s expertise would become instrumental. The group saw a motorcycle accident and pulled over to help, and Wood, who is a Registered Nurse, was able to unzip the man’s jacket and loosen his helmet before administering compressions.
Wood’s first time doing CPR out in the field, not in the hospital, resulted in a successful recovery for the man, who underwent surgeries and is currently in rehabilitation.
From left, Rachel Watson, Joel James Fey and Mike Hagin receive the Lifeline Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast on May 14, 2025. Anthony M. Brown, not pictured, also received the award.
A team of four saved a man and his child from a tractor accident
On May 6, 2024, Rachel Watson’s husband and son were riding in a vintage tractor when the vehicle flipped and pinned the two underneath. Watson and her uncle Anthony Brown sprung into action, with Brown retrieving a car jack and holding the tractor up despite burning his hands, while Watson attempted to begin CPR on her husband, who no longer had a pulse.
Trumansburg EMS paramedics Mike Hagin and Joel Fey were able to arrive on the scene before receiving an official dispatch call and called for more help from local fire departments. Working together, the team was able to remove both victims from the tractor and save their lives despite the tractor catching fire.
At right, New York State Police Trooper S.J. Rasaphone receives the Law Enforcement Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Troopers Oviedo, Rasaphone saved unresponsive man from life-threatening bee sting
On July 15, 2024, New York State Police responded to a call regarding an unresponsive man in a vehicle driven by his wife on Interstate 81. After arriving on the scene, the troopers removed the man from the car and began life-saving measures including administering CPR and using an AED.
Following the arrival of EMS personnel, the patient was taken to a hospital and later recovered and was released. The troopers later learned they had saved a member of the Binghamton Police Department from a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
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The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross held its annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025.
Jimmy Hardwick and Isaac Belenkiy helped save disabled veteran’s dog
When disabled veteran Ana Chan had her support dog Rodgers seized after being accused of biting someone, Cornell Law School Veterans Law Practicum professor Jimmy Hardwick and student Isaac Belenkiy sprung into action. Following legal proceedings, the two were able to move the dog to a more humane setting at a county kennel while they worked to stop his upcoming euthanasia.
To help release Rodgers, the two worked with a dog behavior specialist and appealed after an initial decision from the court, which ended in a settlement where Rodgers was returned to Chan. Hardwick continues to help Chan to receive increased benefits through a disability claim.
At left, Jason P. Hibbard receives the Military Award at the American Red Cross Southern Tier’s annual Real Heroes breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton on May 14, 2025. Jaylynn Martinez was also recognized for her efforts.
Jason Hibbard’s military training helped save a young man’s life
Just moments before leaving his house to head out of town on July 4, 2024, Jason Hibbard was flagged down by his neighbor Jaylynn Martinez, who informed him that her brother was bleeding severely. He had cut his wrist on broken glass in the family’s shed, and had collapsed by the time Hibbard arrived with his life-saving kit.
Hibbard and Martinez were able to stabilize him by using towels and applying pressure while propping his head up to get blood to his core, a technique Hibbard knew thanks to his military training. Due to Hibbard and Martinez’s quick actions, he was able to keep his hand and his life.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Meet 2025 Southern Tier Red Cross Real Heroes awards recipients