Below are the amazing stories of our GasAmerica Hometown Heroes!
Rick Roome (New Palestine, IN) - nominated by Helen Cummins
Helen describes Rick as the type of man that is never too busy to help. Rick has helped Helen and her husband, who is disabled, in any way they need, including fixing items around the house, repairing their car, and taking them to the hospital in times of need.
Tonja Robertson (Martinsville, IN) - nominated by Clara Sangster.
Tonja is the founder of Spay/Neuter Indiana Pets, which is a non profit organization that transports animals to clinics to be spade and neutered. She uses her own time and money to transport the animals to the clinics in Bloomington and Cloverdale, Indiana for their vaccinations. Tonja has sponsored events to educate the public about the crucial need to spay and neuter pets. Tonja, along with her husband, travel to community events and farmer’s markets to educate people on animals, as well.
Clara Sangster nominated Tonja as a Hometown Hero. Clara said, “She is truly my hero and model for the work she does on behalf of the communities in Morgan, Johnson and Marion counties. Tonja does all this work with a smile and a gracious attitude.”
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Jason Woods (Newark, OH) - nominated by Charlene Woods
Jason collected pennies and nickels from family and friends, as well as money he earned from doing chores. He put the change in jars and donated the money to the Newark Police Department for families in need. He also donated $60 that his grandmother had given him to the Kids Wish Network. He was given the $60 to buy a video game, but chose to donate it instead. Jason is already collecting coins to donate to the Police Department again at the end of this year for the Christmas drive. His goal is to collect 100 jars of change.
Tom Patterson II (Rushville, IN) - nominated by Christina Patterson
Tom was in GasAmerica one afternoon when he came across a collection can with a picture of a young boy, Conner, who was fighting brain cancer. Tom didn’t know the little boy, but decided he wanted to help. He organized a benefit concert to raise money for Conner and his family. Tom managed to get over 20 bands to agree to perform. They also had t-shirts and bracelets made to raise additional money. Local businesses donated items to be raffled off, as well. Overall, the benefit was a great success. We are happy to announce that Conner has been released from the Ronald McDonald House and is at home with his family.
Don Avery (Sharpsville, IN)- nominated by Shawn Flanary.
This month’s recipient was Don Avery from Sharpsville, IN. Don has helped lead several trips to Zimbabwe, Africa to help orphans. He, along with Shawn Flanary, built a tennis courts for the kids at the orphanage. Don also volunteers to fix peoples’ cars for free from his church. He teaches Sunday school and is a mentor to the teens there, as well. Shawn Flanary nominated Don. Shawn is a teacher and has volunteered on mission trips with Don. They are planning on going back to Africa again sometime soon. Shawn says, “Don has a true servants heart and is a true Hometown Hero.”
Kenneth Shepherd (Upper Sandusky, OH)
Kenneth drives a dump truck for Mack's Trucking Company. He was driving down the street in Carey, OH, in late June, when he spotted two young women hanging out of a second story window. The building was engulfed with flames. Without hesitation, Kenneth pulled his truck up to the building and helped the girls out of the burning building. Kenneth, along with paramedics and onlookers, carefully rescued the women out of the back of the dump truck and they were taken to the hospital. The apartment fire was eventually put out with the help of nine fire crews.
Dennis Burns (Hagerstown, IN)
Dennis organizes the umpires for the Little League in Hagerstown. He also owns an electric wiring company and had his men put up a new high school scoreboard for free. After the tragedy in New Orleans, he sent two of his men with equipment to New Orleans to help families regain their electricity. He serves on the United Way Board, is president of the Optimist Club and will be the next president for the local Rotary Club. He also volunteered as campaign chair for a candidate for the state senate. Over the past two years, he has been working with teens to receive a grant for a skateboard park, which was recently been approved for $12,000.
George and Charlene Hutchins (Peru, IN)- nominated by Kim Fritz (Peru, IN)
Charlene and George Hutchins are married and tour the state of Indiana performing “Sounds of Loretta Lynn by Charlene.” This program came about because Charlene used to work in nursing homes and realized the nursing home residents did not have enough entertainment. Charlene and her husband created a show where Charlene dresses up as Loretta Lynn and lip synchs to songs and performs a concert for the nursing home guests. George takes care of all of the computer work, sound equipment and driving. They have been doing this since June of 2003 and just celebrated their 500th show! They do this show free of charge and only take donations if someone wants to donate for gas money. You can read more about their volunteer efforts at their website www.charsounds.com .
Don Snow (Westfield, IN)- nominated by Beth Hiatt (Westfield, IN)
Don is a police officer for the Carmel Police Department. Don serves the community on a daily basis through his job as a police officer, but he also does a lot to serve the community during his off duty time. The past few years have been hard on many families, as their loved ones have been deployed overseas. Officer Snow has done a lot for these families while their loved ones have been away including purchasing groceries, helping with home repairs and helping with vehicle repairs. He has helped over 15 families of deployed soldiers. Along with helping these families, he also serves in the community by helping coach youth baseball.
Jordan Conley (Greenfield, IN)- nominated by LeAnna Rowe and Ethan Herzog (Greenfield, IN)
Jordan is a senior at Greenfield Central High School and is also a volunteer at the Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Center. This facility provides therapy to children and adults that have physical or mental disabilities. Leanna Rowe of Greenfield and her son Ethan nominated Jordan. Jordan has been Ethan’s volunteer for three years. Leanna and Ethan believe that Jordan exhibits outstanding contributions of time, talent and energy to Edelweiss. Ethan wanted to show pigs and sheep at the Hancock County Fair this year, but needed a mentor. Jordan stepped up and took Ethan “under his wing.” Two nights a week, Jordan drives Ethan to and from his farm to show Ethan how to take care of animals and teaches him how to show them.
A worker at Edelweiss also stated that Jordan was a wonderful volunteer at the Center. She said, “We refer to Jordan as the “go-to” guy around Edelweiss. He is very dependable, honest, and takes great pride in caring for the herd and assisting other volunteers who are new to our therapeutic riding program. He shares with other volunteers his positive attitude and has a level of maturity way beyond his years. He motivates the riders to do their very best, and steps up to the plate when something needs to be done to better the riding environment.”
Heather Herald (Greenwood, IN)- nominated by Charles Lambe (Goodyear, AZ)
Heather's grandfather was at home when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Luckily Heather was home and started to perform CPR on her grandfather while paramedics were being called. She performed CPR for nearly 14 minutes. When paramedics arrived, her grandfather was shocked three times and was put on life support for two days. The doctors and nurses said that Heather's grandfather was very lucky she was there and was knowledgeable and able to perform CPR.
Breonna Martin (Shelbyville, IN)- nominated by the staff and students of Shelbyville Central Schools (Shelbyville, IN)
Breonna Martin is a third grader at Hendricks Elementary School. Breonna recently set a goal of raising one million pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in order to "help the other kids at the hospital." Breonna knows all too well why families need help from the Ronald McDonald House because Breonna herself has already undergone seven surgeries and will be completing her eighth in February to remove a brain tumor caused by Tubular Sclerosis Complex, a genetic disorder causing tumors to grow on bodily organs. Breonna not only reached her goal of raising one million pop tabs but her collection grew to over 2 million!! On December 7th, all pop tabs collected that day were dedicated to "Breonna's Wish" and the collection was over 4.5 million pop tabs! Breonna's principal stated that "valuable lessons were learned through this wish. One person has the ability to begin a powerful "pay it forward" movement and the outreach of so many caring people allowed it to happen."
Jeffrey Mittman (New Palestine, IN)- nominated by Anna Voorhis (New Palestine, IN).
Mittman is a 17-year United States Army Veteran who was severely injured while serving in Iraq on July 7th, 2005. He was injured during a roadside bombing where he sustained massive facial trauma. He has undergone many surgeries and will continue on with more in the future. Mittman is now blind in one eye and legally blind in the other, but despite these physical set backs, Mittman is not giving up. He is now learning Braille and is also continuing to further his education by working towards his Bachelors degree. He is a great example of perseverance and triumph over tribulation. His faith and strength to keep going when others might have given up is truly amazing.
Brian Muckerheide (Shelbyville, IN)- nominated by Donna Snelling (Shelbyville, IN)
Mr. Muckerheide is the 8th grade football coach at Shelbyville Middle School. Donna Snelling, one of the football players’ mothers, nominated Coach Muckerheide. Donna’s son has asthma and is also rather large for his age. He was always teased at other schools he has been at, but with Coach Muckerheide it has made his whole experience at Shelbyville different. Donna says Coach Muckerheide encourages all of the players to do their best and never treats anyone better than someone else. From those players who already have colleges looking at them, to those who never thought they could play football, he treats all the players with the same respect. Since Donna’s son has joined the team, she says he has become a well-rounded person. From the coach’s encouragement, her son now tries the best in everything he does and even has improved his school grades. Donna says, “Coach Muckerheide is a Hometown Hero because he is making our kids heroes!”
Danielle Wilson (Heath, OH)- nominated by Sue White (Heath, OH)
Danielle was driving by Sue's house when she saw flames coming from the house. She saw Sue's dog sitting in front of the screen door and she knew someone was inside the house. Sue's son was inside asleep and Danielle ran into the burning house and woke him up. Danielle started to fill up pots of water and threw them onto the fire. The fire had just reached the rafters. The fireman said it was lucky Danielle came in and did what she did because the fire was about to reach the attic. She saved Sue's son, dog, and house!
Kristine Barnett (Carmel, IN)- nominated by Beth Johns (Walton, IN)
Kristine has a son who was diagnosed with autism and was not doing so well in early interventions. Kristine wanted to find some autistic playmates for her son so she placed an ad in the paper. To her surprise, over 100 people called and she did not have the heart to turn them away. Kristine does childcare during the day, and then seven nights a week all summer long she had social groups at her house for all of these special children. Kristine has been doing this now for over 6 years and has helped approximately 500 children! She spends her own money to buy supplies and teaching materials and has converted her garage into a fun classroom. She will not take money for her services and expects nothing in return. Kristine’s dream is to open a full time school and to continue to offer quality free programs for autistic children.
Cameron West (Johnstown, OH)- nominated by Deputy Robert Barr (Newark, OH)
Cameron West is a ten-year-old boy who was recognized for his bravery and courage when he was put into an emergency situation. Cameron's mother became unconscious and Cameron reacted in the correct way by calling 911 and remaining calm. Deputy Robert Barr was the police officer on the scene and was the one that nominated Cameron for the award. Deputy Barr stated "Cameron West showed extraordinary courage in a crisis situation. He performed all of the proper procedures that a person should take in this type of crisis/medical situation, which I hope others will follow to save someone's life."
Jeff McLochlin (Rochester, IN)- nominated by Mike Meiser (Rochester, IN)
Sgt. Jeff McLochlin was serving with his National Guard unit in Afghanistan when he was killed during his year long deployment. McLochlin was a police officer in Rochester, IN and was a husband and father of three children. He had been over seas before and had returned for another deployment when he was killed while saving an Afghani child. Mike Meiser, teacher and coach of McLochlin while growing up, sent in his nomination form for Jeff McLochlin to be honored as a Hometown Hero. Meiser remembers McLochlin as a great athlete and an all-American student and person. Meiser remembers McLochlin as the person who gave all he had on and off the field, and was always willing to help others in need. Meiser stated that he believed McLochlin was a "role model father and husband." The Hometown Hero award was given to his wife in his memory.
The Rochester GasAmerica posted Jeff McLochlin's name for all to see on the reader board outside of the store.
Ralph Bailey (Columbia City) - nominated by Ron Yeiter (Warsaw)
The Warsaw Community School Board of Trustees invited Mr. Bailey to be an interim superintendent in the Warsaw school district for the past year. Mr. Bailey is 78 years old and worked as a superintendent for 20 plus years before retiring. Since retiring, several school districts in northern Indiana have invited him back to be an interim superintendent. Ron Yeiter, Warsaw Community School Board President wrote “ I’ve worked very closely with Mr. Bailey and I had the distinct honor and opportunity to see Mr. Bailey serve the needs of his students, parents, administrators, teachers, support staff and taxpayers. At the young age of 78, Mr. Bailey displays more energy and compassion in serving the public than most people a third of his age.” Ron also stated that Mr. Bailey is the perfect example of an individual with a “servant’s heart” as he faces daily problems and issues with an objective point of view and praises people every day for their minor and major personal accomplishments. The Warsaw community acknowledges Mr. Bailey as a man of honesty and integrity as well as a promoter of positive thought and action.
*Ralph Bailey (right) holds up his certificate with his nominator Ron Yeiter (left).
Marty Justice (Shelbyville) – nominated by Bill and Cynthia Goode (Shelbyville)
Marty enlisted in the United States Army on May 1, 1975 and has been deployed overseas 12 times including two tours in Korea and three tours in Iraq. He was injured during his last tour in Iraq and is now at home waiting and hoping for medical clearance so he can return to his unit in Iraq to continue to serve his country. Marty not only serves in the military, but also has very strong involvement in his youth group at Town and Country Christian Church in Shelbyville. His family and community are very proud of him and consider him a Hometown Hero.
*Marty Justice was honored on stage at the WFMS Hometown Heroes Homecoming
Kenneth Polley (New Whiteland)- nominated by Deanna Todd (New Whiteland)
Mr. Kenneth Polley is a New Whiteland Police officer and has been for over 10 years. He is considered a Hometown Hero to one family specifically. On December 29th, 2005, Mr. Polley rescued a family from “sure death”. Deanna Todd’s house was on fire. She was inside the burning home with her two grandchildren and the family dog, Gizzy. Deanna was unable to see her own hand in front of her face, she was very confused and was not sure what to do or how to get out. Then she heard a voice coming from her grandson’s room. She was not even sure what was said but she knew at the moment they would be saved. And they were, all four of them. Kenneth Polley went inside and rescued the grandchildren, Deanna and the dog. Not only has Mr. Polley been on the police force for over 10 years, but also coaches girls little league softball for the Greater Whiteland League. He is always patient, kind, smiling and a true mentor for the youth of the community.
* Kenneth Polley was awarded on stage at the WFMS Hometown Heroes Homecoming
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