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Share2001-02 76ers Hometown Heroes
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May 1- James McCabe McCabe has been a teacher in the Philadelphia school system for the last 30 years. He taught business and computers at Conwell Middle-Magnet School in Kensington for 20 years and has spent the last 10 years doing the same at Frankford High School. As director of Frankford’s Business Academy, McCabe works to find co-op and internship opportunities for kids interested in pursuing careers in business. McCabe was nominated by his son Kevin who wrote in his letter, “while so many teachers have fled Philadelphia’s troubled school system for the suburbs, he has continued to work tirelessly at giving inner-city children a chance to succeed…I have never seen someone give so much to a profession and a city without expecting anything in return.” |
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April 28 - Laura Kelly Kelly is a volunteer and staff member at the Rizzo Police Athletic League (PAL) Center in the Port Richmond section of the city. She tutors and instructs children of all ages in a PAL Computer Lab (Computer Outreach Program and Services - C.O.P.S.). Kelly also volunteers as the facilitator of the Rizzo PAL Positive Images program, a 13-week series of esteem building workshops for girls ages 11-17. In addition, she tutors and mentors children in grades 1-8 in a homework club. Kelly was nominated by Eric Cushing from PAL. |
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Jesse D. Garrabrant
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April 15- The Wagner Family The Wagner family is among the 38 volunteer firefighters of the Estell Manor Volunteer Fire Company. Fire Chief John V. Wagner leads the company that includes his mother, Giovanna, one of New Jersey’s first peacetime female firefighters; his wife Brenda; his sisters, Maria Buck and Christina Surran; daughters, Kristy and Amanda; and nephews, Kristofer Wagner and Brian Buck. The Wagner's tradition began in 1966 when John C. Wagner, who passed away in September, moved to Estelle Manor and formed the company. |
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April 12- Robert Grodanz and Tyson Grodanz and his five-year-old beagle, Tyson, have been going once a week to two different assisted living homes during the past year. Tyson is a therapy dog who works with the residents bringing the residents comfort as they pet him and talk to him. Grodanz, a pharmacist, was nominated by his son Michael. Michael wrote in his nomination letter about the affect of the treatment, “Tyson is a friend and loved by all the residents. Most of the people in the home are very ill, and Tyson always brings a smile to their faces. For some of the people, Tyson may be their only visitor of the week.” |
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April 7- Brigantine Firefighters Steve Frei, Robert Sooy and Tom Hunter Frei, Sooy, and Hunter reported to a fire in Brigantine, N.J. on Sun., Dec. 23, 2001, to find a home engulfed in heavy smoke and flame. After being informed that two people remained in the building, the three firefighters rushed inside. They rescued the two people trapped inside, who were then transported to a regional burn center. Frei is a 22-year veteran, while Sooy has been on the job 16 years and Hunter less than a year at the time. |
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April 5- Sean K. Quinn Quinn has been a police officer with the Lower Merion Township Police Department for the past 15 years and has been heavily involved with the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program for the last six years. D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug-and-violence-free lives. Founded in Los Angeles in 1983, D.A.R.E. will reach 26 million students in the U.S. this year and is implemented in 80 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 54 countries around the world. |
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April 3- Charlie Patillo For over 30 years, Patillo has been a friend, neighbor and advisor to many people in his North Philadelphia community. According to Brenda Blake who nominated Patillo, he provided a safe place in the neighborhood for kids to hang out. He would check on the older neighbors in the community when they were sick, making stops for them or helping them keep appointments. |
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March 31- Miguel Torres Torres, who is a probation officer with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, dedicates a large amount of time assisting the youth, elderly, and those in need throughout Philadelphia. His outstanding work led to him being recognized as the Pennsylvania Parole Agent of the Year. Torres works with Habitat For Humanity where he helps builds homes for less fortunate people as well as the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter giving food to the elderly and homeless. Torres also volunteers with the Philadelphia School Board’s “Clean-Up Program” in addition to helping the Fairmount Park Commission clean parks and recreation areas, and ridding them of graffiti. He also volunteers with the Drug Offender Work Program where he has assisted many former drug offenders turn their lives around through the value of work. He is extremely active in his community's anti-drug activities including the city's "Weed and Seed" program. Torres is a coach in the Spanish Christian Basketball League and the 76ers La Liga del Barrio, the city’s first Latino Youth Basketball League. |
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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March 27- Kristin Zanoni Zanoni, a 17-year-old junior at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa., has been involved in a number of fund raising initiatives. As junior class president, Zanoni has raised thousands of dollars for several causes as well as gathered many supporters in the process. She currently coordinates North Penn’s fundraising efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a freshman at Pennbrook Middle School, she single-handedly spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for Fox Chase Cancer Center. |
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March 24- Linda Jacobs Linda is the program coordinator for the Living Well After Cancer Survivorship Program out of the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. The program strives to help reduce the physical and emotional impact of cancer and its treatment on survivors and to help survivors find ways to maximize their quality of life. The Living Well After Program has been in existence for one year and is funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. |
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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March 20- Maria Dungca Dungca was selected based on the nomination letter of her son Alex. Maria is heavily involved in the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program. She has read to the kindergarten classes at her son's school and has volunteered on numerous occasions with RIF. RIF uses support from the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and countless individuals to place more than 200 million books in the hands and homes of children who need them most. |
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March 17- David T. Malloy David has been a volunteer firefighter for 22 years. He is the assistant fire chief with Friendship Fire Company #1 of Englewood, Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pa. As Nick wrote in his letter, “In 22 years, my father has hardly missed any calls. The whole family could be going someplace and if there is a call, we go with him. Sometimes he misses some of our practices, games, things we are in or holiday dinners but I know that saving people or people's things are very important to those people. He goes to every car accident to help the people who are hurt or just to direct traffic. He sets up the landing for the medical helicopter when people have to be life flighted.” In addition, the father of three children, is also president of the Frackville Little League and coaches two teams. |
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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March 13- Lisa and Kevin Shire Lisa and Kevin are volunteer softball and basketball coaches. The Shires coach the Assumption BVM CYO Basketball Fundamental team and 4th and 5th grade girls team. In addition, Kevin is a member of the Lower Southampton Youth Advisroy Panel, a group that reviews cases of first time youth offenders and recommends alternatives to punishment. Lisa is also a volunteer for “Aid for Friends” that assists elderly shut-ins by providing them with food and companionship. The Shires are parents of three girls |
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March 8- Maureen Toy Maureen Toy has been a long time advocate for children and education for the handicapped and for senior citizens. For over 30 years, Maureen has done extensive work for the poor and needy, donating clothes and food. Recently, Maureen started a program called “Wheels for Kids” to give less fortunate children bikes, scooters, and wagons. Maureen is presently working with the Downe Township Rec Committee to create and provide recreational opportunities for children in her rural neighborhood school community. |
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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March 6- Steve Dangerfield
Officer Dangerfield initiated a PAL program with Shriner’s Hospital where PAL kids make friends and visit with the children in the hospital. Steve is a motivational speaker, recruits pal volunteers, and coordinates special projects for the Police Athletic League |
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March 1- Richard Havyer Richard is a 3rd grade student at St. Peter’s school in Pottstown, Pa. After Richard’s principal was transferred to Chester, Pa to assist the less fortunate, eight year old Richard decided to help out too. Richard collected new and used hats, gloves, and scarves for the less fortunate children of Chester, Pa. He collected them from his classmates, church goers, and other local schools. Richard received the principals award for his kindness and is now a hometown hero. |
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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February 27- Grace Dungan Grace was nominated by Lisa Wilson. Grace is an accomplished pianist, she plays the piano at a nearby retirement home every month. She is the president of the Southampton Branch of the NGA, a national organization that collects and distributes new clothes to needy families. Grace is a former teacher and church organist and recently celbrated her 91st birthday |
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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February 25- John Rankin John Rankin was nominated by Valerie Phillips. John is a former police officer in the West Philadelphia section in the 19th district. Today he is a Southwest Philadelphia detective and a volunteer with the Police Athletic League basketball program. |
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February 18- Ruth Thraen Ruth Thraen was nominated by Chief Stephen Sykes of the Avalon police department. For ten years, Ruth has been dedicated to the municipal alliance committee, which is a drug and alcohol prevention program. Ruth has put her heart into creating programs for children and senior citizens in New Jersey- a true hero in our community. |
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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February 14- Angela Alston
Angela was the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award when the Sixers hosted the Raptors.. |
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February 4- Doug Tompkins When Doug heard about Amanda’s brother’s house burning down, he came to the rescue. Through Doug’s hard work, he arranged for donations of new furniture, linens, bedding and other items for the family to replace what they had lost. Doug is a dedicated member of his church, friend, husband, and father. |
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE Photos
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Mark became a patient at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in December 1996 after being shot in an armed robbery at the jewelry store he owned in Philadelphia. Since then, Mark has worked to give back to Magee's patients and individuals with disabilities. For the last five years Mark, his family and friends have organized and sponsored an annual Holiday for Magee patients and their families. Mark also chairs Magee's Night of Champions fund raising event. His leadership has resulted in over $150,000 being raised for athletes with disabilities. In addition, Mark is a wheelchair tennis player himself. | |
Kathy is a Philadelphia Police Officer from the 35th district. Kathy hosts a holiday party for underprivileged children every year. This year she raised enough money and bought all 146 kids a new bike and an array of other toys.
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