By Barbara Hannan, Manager, External Communications, Pitney Bowes
@bhannan
I recently attended an event hosted by the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross at which several amazing individuals spoke. The evening was an intimate gathering of the upcoming recipients of the 12th annual 2012 Community Heroes of Western Connecticut Awards on April 5. It was an honor for me to represent my company, Pitney Bowes, which was selected as one of this year’s honorees – the first time a corporation has received the award. I knew that I would be sitting among several individuals who had performed heroic acts of bravery and shown exceptional leadership and courage, and I was not disappointed.
One by one, around the room, each recipient stood to tell a unique and remarkable story of events that had unfolded that unexpectedly summoned heroic action.
- Betsy Sorenson, of Easton, CT recounted the cold afternoon she was frostbite sailing along the coast of Long Island Sound when she heard yells for help. With the help of several other sailors nearby, she reached their friend who was slumped over in distress on a competing boat. Together they worked to transfer him and apply chest compressions until they got him safely to medical care onshore. He underwent heart surgery that day and today is enjoying good health.
- Daniel DeRubis, of Monroe, CT, a mailman who, because he knew his route and the behaviors of his neighborhood so well, decided to stop at the home of an elderly woman who lived alone. He had no mail to deliver, but he knew she often had mail to send. He approached the house to hear cries of help from within and found her in distress on the floor. He went to her aid and called an ambulance.
- Samuel Boas, of Westport, CT, was just 16 last July. He was on a 3-day wilderness program in the wild of Alaska with a group of teens and no adult supervision when a grizzly bear attacked. A member of his town’s EMS, Boas was trained in emergency care and able to administer first aid to several victims following the attack, including two who had life-threatening injuries, until medical help could arrive.
- Christine Toni, a pharmacist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT, opened the “Hope Dispensary.” After five years of planning, applying for grants and seeking funding, she opened its doors to provide free medications to those families with no ability to pay. The response from those in need has been overwhelming. She was selected because of her selfless efforts and leadership in providing a much needed voice for the poor.
These are just a few of the stories shared. Others included life-saving rescues by firefighters and police officers. Each one was as inspiring and dramatic as the next.
The last to stand and share, I considered the best way to express how the actions of Pitney Bowes, a large corporation, fit within this very special group. Pitney Bowes was selected to receive the Spirit of the Red Cross Award for our work with the American Red Cross on the collaborative Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Together we helped generate more than 1.2 million heartfelt cards of thanks and support from Americans for delivery to members of the US Armed Forces stationed here and abroad, hospitalized soldiers, veterans and their families during the holiday season.
It was amid the stories of the unexpected heroes: the woman out sailing, the mailman, the high school student and the pharmacist, that I found the connection. I think most of us have the desire to help but haven’t been directly faced with an obvious circumstances or just don’t know how to start. Through Holiday Mail for Heroes, tens of thousands of every day Americans are able to make a difference in the lives of our military members by the simple act of sending a thoughtful message from home during the holidays.
Pitney Bowes is not the hero. Pitney Bowes, working with the American Red Cross, provides a vehicle that allows every American the opportunity to touch the lives of those who serve to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. They can send a card and we’ll make sure it gets there. We are the conduit through which heroic actions by the American public can be carried out. For that, we are truly honored to be recognized.