By Michelle O’Riley
The Salute to Hometown Heroes recognizes the Capital Region’s "unsung heroes" like Connie Myers while raising proceeds for the local disaster fund, said Nancy Conley, Director of Development and Communications for the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York.

Nominations for the awards were submitted from across the Capital Region from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, said Conley. A selection committee, made up of local business owners and past award recipients, chose this year’s winners for each of the nine categories.

Each winner will receive a commemorative piece form the American Red Cross and an award from the United States Post Office. Conley encourages residents of the Capital Region to attend and help support their local heroes.

Tom Pillsworth, a Red Cross volunteer who has worked locally and nationally, will be the guest speaker at the award’s breakfast. He will be sharing his experiences as a volunteer, which includes work in Afghanistan and at Ground Zero in New York City.

For more information on the 2006 Hometown Heroes Awards, go to the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York website at www.redcrossneny.org or contact Zina Adams at 458-8111, or e-mail her at [email protected].

This year’s Hometown Heroes Awards and their recipients are:

— CDPHP Firefighter Award to Jerry Paris of Albany;

— CSEA Special Presentation Award to Colin Farley of Pattersonville;

— Capital Communications Federal Credit Union Humanitarian Award for a Lifetime of Good Deeds to Wilson "Harpie" Shea of Hudson;

— One Act of Heroism Award to Cindy Filkins of Schenectady;

— Excelsior College Nursing Award to Connie Myers of Westerlo;

— Hannay Reels Rescue Squad Worker Award toTim and Sandy Hardendorf of Fultonham;

— IAMS Pet Food Pet Rescue Award to Mark Bruhmuller of Claverack;

— NYSUT Youth Award to Meaghan Figge of Clifton Park; and

— Tri-City Valley Cats Law Enforcement Award to Dominick Macherone of Scotia.