LEWISBURG – Sidney Apfelbaum, Sunbury attorney, was honored today with a Red Cross Heroes Award. He was recognized as a military hero for for his service, and the capture of two enemy soldiers, during World War II. The Red Cross honored Valley heroes at the annual Heroes Breakfast Friday. This year’s recipient of the Dr. Charles Fasano Medical Award goes to Dr. John Pagana of Sunbury.
His daughter, Dr. Jessica Pagana DeFazio spoke on his behalf, “My Dad, he loves practicing medicine. He definitely feels it is his calling. He doesn’t just practice medicine, but he gives of himself and I’ve been very blessed to work with him over the past 14 years. All of you who know him know his spirituality is most important in his life.”
This year’s Emergency Services Hero Award was given to the Berwick Police Department. This past November, a shooter opened fire on police in the Berwick Industrial Development Association Complex. The officers were able to prevent the public from being harmed.
Police Chief Kevin Strish accepted the award, “I’d certainly like to indicate publicly how proud I am of the department that we have. The character of the people that are employed by our department is tremendous. They are a fantastic group of officers. I am very, very proud of all the work they do each and every day of the year.”
Other award recipients included Rudolph Frazier of Sunbury, who saw a masked person holding a knife to a cashier’s throat and was able to tackle the robber and hold him until police arrived. And 10-year-old Jacob Bobersky of Benton received the Good Samaritan Award for saving his father from drowning while the two were kayaking in Benton. Abby Erdley was recognized with the Her0-Animal Rescue award for her work starting Arthur’s Pet Pantry, which provides low cost pet food for needy families. The American Red Cross of North Central Pennsylvania hosts the Heroes Breakfast each year to honor local heroes. (Ali Stevens)
