By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD - A string of arson fires that ravaged Northampton last year threatened the community's sense of well-being. In the aftermath of the fires that killed two city men and destroyed two homes and other property, residents rose to the occasion.
The Pioneer Valley Red Cross took notice, and plans to honor city residents and their outpouring of support Thursday by giving Mayor Clare Higgins an award to recognize the unity and compassion they exhibited over the past two-plus months.
In addition, nine other selfless Valley residents will receive awards at the nonprofit's eighth annual Hometown Heroes breakfast at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.
Among them will be Evelyn Gore, a teacher's aide at the R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, and her son, Grant Martin of Northampton, who are being honored for fighting their way through thick black smoke to save their next-door neighbor from a fire.
Southampton resident John A. O'Leary, a biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is being recognized for courageous actions in saving a car wash attendant whose scarf was caught in one of the car wash spinners.
On Feb. 9 of last year, O'Leary was credited with saving the life of 19-year-old Stephanie Carpluk after freeing her from the car wash spinner and administering CPR until she regained consciousness.
Although Higgins will accept the city's award, Thayer said it is recognition of all those who stepped up following a string of suspicious fires that resulted in the deaths of two city residents.
"The award is being handed to the mayor, but she is accepting it on behalf of the citizenry of Northampton and emergency responders," Thayer said. "There were plenty of people who looked out for their neighbors, volunteered and fundraised after the fires."
Other honorees include Arnold D. Cox and his wife, Frances Morales, of Springfield, who are being honored for their dedication to offering after-school programs to Springfield youths; Kamau Matthew Crawford, of Springfield, honored for saving his sister's life with the Heimlich maneuver; Bernie Gardner, of Southwick, who saved a stranger's life while they were being attacked by a dog; Art Jasper, of Springfield, recognized for his work with the homeless and participation on a variety of boards and committees; Jared Dennis Smith, of East Longmeadow, who donated stem cells for bone marrow to a stranger; and Sidney Weiner, of Springfield, who served the Greater Springfield community for over 50 years as a Mason and a Melha Shriner.
The breakfast, which begins at 7:30 a.m., serves as the chapter's largest annual fundraising event, supporting local Red Cross services in our hometowns. It is sold out, but will be streamed live on wwlp.com
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
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