United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties awards Everyday Heroes

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·11 min read
On March 29, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties saluted local citizens and groups in several different categories at the 21st nnual Everyday Heroes Event.
On March 29, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties saluted local citizens and groups in several different categories at the 21st nnual Everyday Heroes Event.

LaSALLE – There are heroes among us. They are selfless, genuinely good people willing to act voluntarily to help others in need.

Each year, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties celebrates community heroes for their courage, kindness and unselfish acts of heroism.

On March 29, the 21st annual Everyday Heroes Event saluted local citizens and groups in several categories during a banquet at LaRoy’s Hall.

A Heroes Advisory Committee met earlier this year to review the nominations and select this year’s recipients. To be eligible, nominees must have been a resident or employed within Monroe County or the heroic act must have taken place in Monroe County in 2022.

Each honoree received a “Certificate of Honor” and an engraved award from the United Way.

Law Enforcement Hero Officer: Mike Norman

Molly Luempert Coy, left, stands with Law Enforcement Hero Officer Mike Norman and Ashleigh Glass.
Molly Luempert Coy, left, stands with Law Enforcement Hero Officer Mike Norman and Ashleigh Glass.

Dundee Police Officer Mike Norman was lauded as the Law Enforcement Hero. Norman responded at 6:47 p.m. Oct. 18 to a one vehicle crash on southbound U.S. 23 near Exit 17. Upon arrival, Norman found the driver unresponsive, not breathing and having no pulse. He pulled the person from the vehicle and began CPR. Others assisting were citizen bystanders and firefighters from the Dundee Township Volunteer Fire Department. Paramedics from Monroe Community Ambulance continued lifesaving efforts as the subject was transported to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Investigators believe the crash was caused by the driver experiencing a medical emergency while driving.

Animal Rescue Hero: Kim Canales

Kim Canales, second from left, was named the Animal Rescue Hero at the 21st annual Everyday Heroes Event on March 29.
Kim Canales, second from left, was named the Animal Rescue Hero at the 21st annual Everyday Heroes Event on March 29.

Last June, Monroe County Animal Control rescued 22 Chihuahuas from a basement within the city of Monroe. Shortly after the animals were placed in safter environments, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough thanked, in a press release, Chihaven of Michigan, Furget Us Not, Animal House Rescue, Fulton County Humane Society, and Midwest Small Breed for helping with housing accommodations for the canines. Monroe County resident Kim Canales was also recognized for her help in networking with the animal rescue groups for housing.

Animal Rescue Hero: Stretch

Pictured are Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy James Liedel, left, with Animal Rescue Hero Stretch, Susan Vanisacker and Ashleigh Glass.
Pictured are Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy James Liedel, left, with Animal Rescue Hero Stretch, Susan Vanisacker and Ashleigh Glass.

Since May 2022, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy James Liedel has been patrolling with Stretch, a Labrador retriever specializing in finding the electronic devices used in human trafficking.

Stretch has been trained to sniff out electronic devices including SD cards, laptops and cellphones. He will also be used in other law enforcement tasks, including the VIPER task force that fights human trafficking. Those involved in human trafficking are known to use multiple electronic devices to hide their criminal activity. Stretch is only the third K-9 dog in the state that specializes in this electronic sniffing ability, according to Goodnough, who said the other two canines work with the Michigan State Police.

Both Liedel and Stretch received training at the Todd Jordan K-9 Academy in Indiana. Liedel earned his certification May 27.

Local Military Hero: U.S. Coast Guard, Toledo Station

Accepting the Local Military Hero award on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and Toledo Station is Aaron Ross, left, and Adam Figueroa with Ashleigh Glass.
Accepting the Local Military Hero award on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and Toledo Station is Aaron Ross, left, and Adam Figueroa with Ashleigh Glass.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes reported two people, including one who called 911, were successfully rescued from Lake Erie after a boat overturned about 3 miles offshore. Monroe County Central Dispatch received a call regarding the capsized vessel at about 3:30 a.m.

The sheriff's office dispatched its marine unit to the area, and other area responder agencies with marine units were notified and arrived on scene. The Coast Guard sent both a Station Toledo vessel and Station Detroit helicopter.

Shortly before 4:15 a.m., the Coast Guard Toledo boat rescued and brought the two people to shore at Bolles Harbor in Monroe Township. Reports indicated neither person was wearing a life jacket at the time and were found clinging to the hull of the sinking 30-foot boat. There were no medical concerns at the time of the rescue. Following the rescue, the Coast Guard issued a safety broadcast regarding the submerged vessel.

Community Hero: Now I Lay Me Down

Kim Hooper, left, and Karen Winchell from Now I Lay Me Down Program stand with Susan Vanisacker and Ashleigh Glass.
Kim Hooper, left, and Karen Winchell from Now I Lay Me Down Program stand with Susan Vanisacker and Ashleigh Glass.

Launched by the First Presbyterian Church on Washington Street, 150 beds were purchased and distributed last year to needy children in Monroe County. Proceeds from the annual Bed Race to Aid Children fundraiser, along with donations from the church and community, provide the funding to purchase beds for children ages 17 and younger. Each child receives a pillow, sheets, a blanket, a stuffed animal and a book. The estimated cost per bed set is approximately $250. The ministry is run by volunteers, and all of the money donated goes to beds for children.

Each year, the bed races raise close to $30,000, and the program’s success stems from community support. Volunteers for the program believe if a child has their own bed, they rest more. Since starting the program, there are children no longer sleeping on floors painted with lead paint that is peeling or laying on plywood covered with cloth. Since 2001, the program has distributed 3,700 beds ranging from twin to bunk beds to pack and plays and toddler beds.

Community Hero: Judge Michael Weipert (posthumously)

Susan Vanisacker, left, stands with Kelly Osborne, late Judge Michael Weipert’s stepdaughter, and Ashleigh Glass. Weipert was posthumously named Community Hero.
Susan Vanisacker, left, stands with Kelly Osborne, late Judge Michael Weipert’s stepdaughter, and Ashleigh Glass. Weipert was posthumously named Community Hero.

While he was dedicated to the law, 38th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael Weipert was even more dedicated to the Monroe community. As a circuit judge for 17 years, he presided over some of the county’s many notorious cases. Throughout his career, Weipert was determined to rid the community of drugs. He detested drugs and the lives ruined by them. He often had harsh words for dealers who stood before him.

As a supporter of the community, Weipert was visible at many events and an ardent supporter of Monroe County 4-H, Kiwanis, Holiday Camp, the Monroe Club and the Port of Monroe. His unwavering service and support of Monroe County’s organizations coupled with his involvement on boards is one of many reasons Weipert, who died March 3, 2022, was chosen as Community Hero.

Youth Good Samaritan Hero: Addison St. Andre

Youth Good Samaritan Hero Addison St. Andre stands with Gretchen Eyler and Ashleigh Glass.
Youth Good Samaritan Hero Addison St. Andre stands with Gretchen Eyler and Ashleigh Glass.

John Vergowven’s students at Custer Elementary School get a free, new book each month during the school year. Last summer, one of Vergowven’s students, Addison St. Andre, sold lemonade shakeups with a goal to raise $270, enough money to pay for all the books.

Addie, 8, and her mom, Courtney Frost, opened a lemonade shakeup stand on Cooper Street, near the family’s business, Addie's Closet Parties. Their first day in business they raised $59.

Using fresh lemons, the pair continued to operate the drink stand every Friday in August. They also created a “galaxy version,” containing coloring and edible glitter.

All proceeds were given to Vergowven to purchase a $1 Scholastic book each month for all 30 of his third-grade students. Any additional money could be used for Vergowven to add books to his class library. Addie’s unselfish act of kindness deemed her worthy of being chosen Youth Good Samaritan Hero.

Workplace Good Samaritan Hero: Christy Avalos

Julie Everly, left, stands with Workplace Good Samaritan Hero Christy Avalos and Ashleigh Glass.
Julie Everly, left, stands with Workplace Good Samaritan Hero Christy Avalos and Ashleigh Glass.

Since the second grade, Bedford High School teacher Christy Avalos has known she wanted to be a teacher. As a geometry and honors geometry teacher, Avalos co-leads the school’s math lab, a program for students who need a little extra help with their math homework or tests. She is also the school’s longtime director of activities, overseeing student-led programs focusing on everything from community involvement to substance abuse prevention to mental health.

Avalos coordinates Bedford’s chapter of the Student Prevention Leadership Team (SPLT), a youth organization that coordinates substance abuse prevention initiatives in high schools and middle schools. She oversees the school’s Link Crew, a freshman transition program that pairs sophomores, juniors and seniors with incoming students during registration week, and she is in charge of BHS Students in Action (SIA) group, a philanthropic organization that handles the school's service-based projects. In recognition of the positive impact she has made on thousands of young people, Avalos was voted the Monroe County Educator of the Month for April 2022 by The Monroe News staff. Her determination to find ways to continue making a positive impact on the children in her community is the reason she was selected Workplace Good Samaritan.

Fire Hero: Nic Ingersoll and Dave Nadeau

Corey Parker, left, stands with Monroe Charter Township Fire Chief Mark Cherney, Conservation Officer Nic Ingersoll, Assistant Chief Mike Broman and Ashleigh Glass. Ingersoll and Capt. Dave Nadeau were honored with the Fire Hero Award. Cherney and Broman accepted the award on behalf of Nadeau, who was unable to attend.
Corey Parker, left, stands with Monroe Charter Township Fire Chief Mark Cherney, Conservation Officer Nic Ingersoll, Assistant Chief Mike Broman and Ashleigh Glass. Ingersoll and Capt. Dave Nadeau were honored with the Fire Hero Award. Cherney and Broman accepted the award on behalf of Nadeau, who was unable to attend.

The fast-thinking actions of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Nic Ingersoll and Monroe Charter Township Fire Department Capt. Dave Nadeau are credited with saving the life of a 14-year-old boy who was stranded in cold water at the Dunbar Quarry.

The rescue occurred May 19, 2022, after Ingersoll heard a dispatch call about a person who was yelling for help at the quarry. Within minutes, Ingersoll met emergency responders from Monroe Charter Township Fire Department and Michigan State Police Trooper Mitchell Lehman, who were already on scene. Nadeau attempted to toss a throw rope to the boy, who was clinging to a rock cliff and displaying early signs of hypothermia.

Ingersoll quickly determined the boy appeared to be losing strength. With his department-issued personal floatation device, he jumped from the rock cliff, about 15 feet down into the water. Nadeau jumped seconds after Ingersoll.

Nadeau and Ingersoll secured the boy in a life jacket and pulled him to a rock to keep him above water. A Monroe City Fire Department rescue boat arrived and transported the boy to shore, where Monroe Community Ambulance took him to the hospital for medical attention.

Ingersoll has been a conservation officer since 2016 and patrols Monroe County. Nadeau has been with the Monroe Charter Township Fire Department since 1993.

Adult Good Samaritan Hero: Shane Neckel

Pictured is Kerri Williams, left, Adult Good Samaritan Hero Shane Neckel and Ashleigh Glass.
Pictured is Kerri Williams, left, Adult Good Samaritan Hero Shane Neckel and Ashleigh Glass.

Last July, Monroe County Facebook reporter Shane Neckel heard a call over the police scanner and was in the area when the report of a 2003 Jeep Liberty traveling northbound on I-75 near Exit 11 had left the freeway on the east side of the road landing in a grassy ditch.

Neckel said in a Facebook private message, “I was heading home after leaving the bank. I was at West Sixth Street and La Plaisance when the call came in. I made it over the railroad tracks about 30 seconds before the gates came down. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw them coming down.”

Neckel said he was originally just going to report on the accident. However, upon arriving at the scene, he quickly realized the fire department’s response would be delayed due to a long, slow-moving freight train.

Neckel notified the Monroe Township fire inspector by cellphone, relaying the location of the car and stating there was a grass fire. The information was transmitted to all responding units. A second call from Neckel informed the fire inspector the vehicle was occupied and the fire was spreading. Neckel used his own personal dry powder extinguisher to suppress the fire and gain access to the vehicle. He was then able to remove the driver from the vehicle until fire crews could arrive. Neckel’s quick thinking and willingness to get involved prevented the driver from any further harm.

Labor/Union Hero: Daryl Yarger

Pictured is Mike Hayter, left, Labor/Union Hero Daryl Yarger and Ashleigh Glass.
Pictured is Mike Hayter, left, Labor/Union Hero Daryl Yarger and Ashleigh Glass.

City of Monroe firefighter and member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 326 Daryl Yarger was instrumental in spearheading the annual Cultivate Community event in Monroe. The event brings community members together and helps neighbors with yard work and other tasks to improve their homes in the neighborhood. Yarger helped organize groups from across Monroe County to help restore 25 homes across the city of Monroe.

Yarger also helped secure donations and funding for the local's annual Thanksgiving dinner community event and helped with cooking and passing out meals to nearly 1,000 Monroe residents. His commitment to not only serving his community while on duty but also serving and volunteering countless hours off duty is the reason why he was selected Labor Hero.

Medical Professional Hero: Dr. Jeffery Chapman

Kerri Williams, left, stands with Medical Hero Dr. Jeff Chapman and Ashleigh Glass.
Kerri Williams, left, stands with Medical Hero Dr. Jeff Chapman and Ashleigh Glass.

Dr. Jeffery Chapman of LaSalle had just settled in for a long plane ride home. Wearing headphones and sipping coffee, the emergency medicine physician was flying home after a 10-day mission to Guatemala. It was when he heard the flight attendant on the overhead speaker say, “If there is a doctor on board, come to row 15,” that he knew the medical portion of his trip wasn’t over just yet. Chapman responded to the call where he met Maria, a 79-year-old Guatemalan with vascular problems who was experiencing severe pain in her left leg. Chapman could not feel a pulse behind Maria’s left knee or any pulse on her left foot. He then checked her wrist pulse and discovered it was strong. He travels with a pocket ultrasound, a medical device donated by the Bedford Lions Club. Chapman diagnosed Maria with an ischemic left leg (blocked arterial blood flow). The plane was headed to Atlanta and would arrive in approximately 45 minutes. Chapman told the crew it was not necessary to divert the plane and to make arrangements to have an ambulance at the gate to take Maria immediately to a tertiary hospital for definitive care and possible surgery. Chapman's quick diagnosis and attentive care helped Maria keep her leg.

Everyday Heroes is an event made possible through the support of sponsors. This year, La-Z-Boy was the presenting sponsor. Award sponsors were First Merchants Bank, Michigan Gas Utilities and the DTE Foundation. The VIP sponsor was Allen Chevrolet Cadillac. Benefactor sponsors were TWB and Gerdau. Friend sponsors were Cakes by Stephanie and TLC Community Credit Union. Partnership sponsors were State Farm Insurance - Lisa Wain; Calkins Hehl Rafko, CPAs; and Williams Insurance Agency.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties awards Everyday Heroes