Hometown Heroes

Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Taghkanic Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Donald Coons Jr., of Taghkanic, NY, has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 16 and is now the first Assistant Chief of Taghkanic Fire Company in Columbia County. In addition to being a firefighter, he also works part-time as an EMT for Copake Rescue Squad...
Gloversville Youth Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Gloversville Youth Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Gloversville Youth Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Sharon Dion, a Gloversville woman who volunteers her time with the 4-H Youth Development Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, was recently honored as an "outstanding volunteer" for her commitment to serving the community's youth through the organization...
5-Year-Old Hair Donor a ‘Hometown Hero’
5-Year-Old Hair Donor a ‘Hometown Hero’
5-Year-Old Hair Donor a ‘Hometown Hero’
This week's Hometown Hero is Karis Ward, a five-year-old from Caroga Lake who donated her long hair to Locks of Love. Karis saw a photo of a child without hair on her babysitter's computer. When she asked why the child did not have hair, her sitter, Kim, explained the child was undergoing chemotherapy treatments...
Therapy Dog Owner a ‘Hometown Hero’
Therapy Dog Owner a ‘Hometown Hero’
Therapy Dog Owner a ‘Hometown Hero’
This week's "Hometown Hero" is Louise Belensz. Louise volunteers throughout her community, including at a local school tutoring children and teaching others how to ski at the Double H Ranch. But she really enjoys bringing her therapy dog, Otis, to local nursing homes to help and cheer elderly residents...
4-H Youth Program Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
4-H Youth Program Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
4-H Youth Program Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’
Breanne Duesler, of Ames, was not only honored as one of our "Hometown Heroes"-she was recently honored by her peers as well. Breanne was recognized as an outstanding 4-H volunteer for her work with the 4-H Youth Development Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties...
Amsterdam Mailman a ‘Hometown Hero’
Amsterdam Mailman a ‘Hometown Hero’
Amsterdam Mailman a ‘Hometown Hero’
Rafael Chaverri, of Amsterdam, does much more than deliver mail to local residents. He delivers cheer. Many neighbors along his route have come to love and respect Rafael, a Costa Rican native who came to America at age 18 and has been delivering mail for the past 10 years...
Amsterdam Mentor and Coach a ‘Hometown Hero’
Amsterdam Mentor and Coach a ‘Hometown Hero’
Amsterdam Mentor and Coach a ‘Hometown Hero’
John Sumpter was moved by the loss of two teenagers in Amsterdam two years ago and decided to create a not-for-profit organization geared toward mentoring and coaching the community's youth. He started W1shfu1 Th1nk1ng and currently mentors 100 to 200 local kids of various ages and grade levels...
Local Children in Crisis Founder a ‘Hometown Hero’
Local Children in Crisis Founder a ‘Hometown Hero’
Local Children in Crisis Founder a ‘Hometown Hero’
Rayn Boncie has devoted her life to helping children in need, providing clothing and essentials to them through a non-profit foundation she started, Children in Crisis. The Scotia mother of four sacrifices much of her own time to help between 4,000 and 5,000 children per year...
Coxsackie Nurse & Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Coxsackie Nurse & Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
Coxsackie Nurse & Firefighter a ‘Hometown Hero’
There are few things Jennifer McKeon, of Coxsackie, does not do. By day, McKeon works as a nurse at a pain clinic in Clifton Park and at night she teaches phlebotomy students. In between, she volunteers as a firefighter and also finds time for her three children and one grandson...

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