(Syracuse, NY – March 19, 2015) The Central New York Chapter of the American Red Cross will be honored in three categories at the 7th annual Nonprofit Awards from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday March 31 at SRC Arena on the campus of Onondaga Community College.
The Nonprofit Awards celebrate and recognize area nonprofit executives, board leaders and volunteers for their leadership and impact on the community.
The Central New York Chapter of the American Red Cross will be recognized in the following categories: Board Leadership Award (Tony Dannible will be acknowledged posthumously), Young Leadership Organization Award (C.W. Baker High School Red Cross Club), and Outstanding Fundraising Event Award (Real Heroes Breakfast).
“It’s an honor to be included in an event that recognizes so many wonderful individuals and organizations that make our community a better place to live,” said Rosie Taravella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Western & Central New York Region. “The leadership and vision provided by Tony, the energy and enthusiasm of the Baker students, and the support the community has demonstrated for the Real Heroes Breakfast are all key components that allow us to deliver our humanitarian services throughout Central New York.”
The Central New York Chapter includes Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. Red Cross services include preparing the public for disasters and responding to disasters; offering First Aid, CPR and other health-and-safety classes; providing about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply; and providing emergency communication and assistance for members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Here’s a look at Red Cross honorees from the 2015 Nonprofit Awards:
Tony Dannible
The co-founder of the Syracuse accounting firm Dannible & McKee, LLP, Tony Dannible joined the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Central New York Chapter in 2005 and was appointed treasurer. He also served as Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, and the board and chapter relied on his leadership and financial expertise.
Known for his quick wit and humor, Dannible was a generous supporter of Red Cross events such as Great Chefs. He chaired the board’s Events Committee in 2014 and agreed to chair the Philanthropy Committee this past summer before he experienced health issues. Dannible died in December having made a tremendous impact on the Red Cross and several other organizations in the Syracuse community.
C.W. Baker High School Red Cross Club
Now in its second year, Baker’s Red Cross Club has been a leader in the American Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Action Campaign program. The IHL Action Campaign is a national program for students to raise awareness about the importance of IHL. Led by club President Mindy Striep, the eight members of the Baker club have created thought-provoking campaigns to educate their classmates and community about IHL and how we are all affected by global affairs.
Real Heroes Breakfast
Each December, the Red Cross honors several Central New Yorkers for their heroic actions at its annual Real Heroes Breakfast in Syracuse. The event celebrates the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering by recognizing people from throughout the area who have performed heroic acts in life-threatening situations.
The 2014 honorees ranged from a 5-year-old Auburn girl who saved her mother’s life by calling 9-1-1 to the truck driver in the National Guard who orchestrated the dramatic Thruway rescue in December 2013.
The Real Heroes breakfast has raised more than $1.6 million for the Red Cross of Central New York in its 16-year history. Those funds are crucial to providing Red Cross services to Central New York residents.