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2005-2006 76ers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott Award Winners

The Philadelphia 76ers introduced a new program entitled “76ers Hometown Heroes” during the 2001-02 season and continued the program in the 2002-03 season. The program awarded two tickets to “an everyday hero in the community” to a 76ers home game during the season.

“After a successful launch to the program in 2001-02, where we recognized the efforts of 27 people and groups at our home games, we wanted to continue to distinguish the people in our community who are considered “heroes” and who might not receive the recognition they deserve,” Lara Price, senior vice president, said. “We look for this program to shine a spotlight on the true heroes in our community and thank them in front of our home crowd.”

On November 5, 2004, the 76ers Hometown Hero Award was renamed in the honor of Alex Scott. It is now called the "76ers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott" award.

The Philadelphia 76ers are accepting nominations for its 2005-06 76ers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott program. Anyone can nominate a neighbor, friend or relative who is a firefighter, policeman, rescue worker, or just an everyday hero like a teacher or community leader making a difference. all photos courtesy of Jesse D Garrabrant NBAE/Getty Images

April
April 18 - Stephanie Uibel of Marlton, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Stephanie Uibel, of Marlton N.J., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Nets game on Tuesday, April 18, 2006. At 13-years-old, Uibel is the founder of Operation Book Bundles, a program she developed in 2004 to donate books to the Ronald McDonald House patients and their siblings. Through Operation Book Bundles, Uibel has delivered over 4,700 books to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, N.J., and has shared her love of reading with the children while helping them feel “more at home.” In her free time, Uibel volunteers for Alex’s Lemonade Stand and is a tutor at a local elementary school. She was awarded the Great Friend to Kids Award by the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia in 2004 and was also the recipient of the Nestle Very Best in Youth award in 2005.
April 10 - Chad Juros of Egg Harbor Township, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Chad Juros of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Wizards game on Monday, April 10, 2006. At age of 17, Juros is a two-time cancer and emergency brain surgery survivor. In 2005, he founded the Spread the Magic Foundation, a non-profit corporation in New Jersey that aims to spread magic to children with cancer. Juros visits hospitals, hospices, camps and foundations to perform live magic shows for patients receiving chemotherapy. He also partnered with HBO to make the DVD, “The World of Magic with The Magical Chadakazam,” which teaches simple bedside magic tricks for patients. Juros has made several appearances at the White House to perform his magic during the Easter Egg Roll and also received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for his countless hours of charitable performances.
April 07 - Pam Mammarella, of Moorestown NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Pam Mammarella, of Moorestown N.J., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Celtics game on Friday, April 7, 2006. As Vice President of Communications for NewCourtland Elder Service, Mammarella developed the Comfort & Joy program for the network of Philadelphia nursing homes, housing and programs for frail elders. The program seeks to create an enlivened environment by offering the more than 1,600 NewCourtland network residents the opportunity to participate in a variety of art and entertainment activities both on- and off-site. The program connects residents to different generations and keeps them connected to the larger community. Each resident has the chance to learn, to teach and to be heard. Under Mammarella’s guidance, the Comfort & Joy initiative has introduced a number of programs that encourage residents to be involved and interact. Over the years, residents and students from partner local schools have taken part in programs that feature activities such as photography, developing documentaries, creating murals and mosaics, quilting and even earning special Boy Scout badges.
April 5 - Kermit "Kit" Green of Berkeley Heights, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Kermit “Kit” Green of Berkeley, N.J., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Bulls game on Wednesday, April 5, 2006. Green is a member of Salaam Shepherds, a group that is part of The Shrine of North America that provides assistance for the Shriners Hospital for Children. He is one of 30 drivers who volunteers their time to drive children from Northern New Jersey to Shriners Hospitals in Philadelphia and Boston, which specialize in providing no-cost orthopedic and burn care to children under the age of 18. The Shepherds take about 250 trips to the hospitals per year in a handicap accessible van to transport the children, and waits for each child to finish their appointment. Green’s contribution to Shriners ensures that the children feel safe and cared for when traveling to and from the hospital.
April 2 - Justin Reppert of Northampton, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Justin Reppert of Northampton, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Knicks game on Sunday, April 2, 2006. Reppert, a seventh grader at Northampton Area Middle School, led his classmates to collect items such as toothpaste, hand sanitizer, playing cards and more, for the American troops in Iraq. Reppert and his classmates have collected over 3,500 items and shipped the items to the troops along with letters thanking them for keeping our country safe.

March
March 29 - Members of WMMR's Preston and Steve Morning Show
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor the members of WMMR’s Preston & Steve Morning Show - Preston Elliot, Steve Morrison, Kathy Romano, Casey Foster and Nick McIlwain - as the "76ers Hometown Heroes" for the Sixers-Pistons game on Wednesday, March 29, 2006. Over the past nine years, the Preston & Steve Show has hosted Camp Out For Hunger, a one-week collection of non-perishable food items while the camping out in an RV for a week. This past December, they camped out at the Metroplex parking lot in Plymouth Meeting, collecting food items on behalf of Philabundance. With the support of their listeners, the Preston & Steve Show filled 10 tractor-trailers with food, totaling 172,000 lbs. In addition, they received $10,000 in cash from members of the community, including the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. Over the past nine years, Camp Out For Hunger has raised over 250 tons of food.
March 24 - Tanya Zekovitch of Croydon, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Tanya Zekovitch of Croydon, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Magic game on Friday, March 24, 2006. Zekovitch was diagnosed with a type of cancer known as Ewings Sarcoma at age 7. After surgery and a year of chemotherapy, Zekovitch was considered to be in remission. Sixteen years later, Zekovitch was again diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. After remarkably beating her second diagnosis, Zekovitch felt there was a lack of resources for young adult cancer patients and survivors. Zekovitch spent over four years compiling information to serve as a warehouse of resources for patients and survivors of cancer to create her website www.cancersurvivorsunite.org . Besides creating and maintaining this site, Zekovitch organizes several retreats, scholarships, and survival guides for young adults and families who have been affected by cancer. These resources continue to lend support and educate families about beating the disease.
March 22 - Maripat Shelly of Harleysville, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Maripat Shelly of Harleysville, Pa., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Hawks game on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. Shelly is president of The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Delaware Valley Chapter. The organization has locations all over the country that specialize in promoting research and education for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of mitochondrial disorders, and providing support to affected individuals and families. Mitochondrial disease is a hereditary disorder that affects a cell’s ability to produce life-sustaining energy. Shelly, as well as her five children, suffer from mitochondrial disease, but that does not prohibit her from assisting others with the disease. With the help of family and friends, Shelly organized “Go for Mito,” a 5K run and a one-mile walk at the Philadelphia Art Museum that raised $60,000 for research, awareness and a cure for this life-threatening illness. Shelly and her supporters have already started work on the seventh Annual “Go for Mito,” which will also take place at the Art Musem on Sept. 9, 2006, and they are seeking more sponsors and donors to help raise even more towards the cure. To learn more regarding sponsorship or volunteering for “Go for Mito,” or to learn more about mitochondrial disease, chapter meetings and support, please visit www.umdf.org, and click on Delaware Valley Chapter.
March 14 - Marc Pagliante of Mount Laurel, NJ and Stepehn Weikert of Westampton, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Marc Pagliante of Mount Laurel, N.J. and Stephen Weikert of Westampton, N.J. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Raptors game on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Pagliante and Weikert are students of Y.A.L.E School for children with special needs located in Cherry Hill, N.J. The boys volunteered their time with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), where they distributed cooling vests and other equipment, which individuals who have MS use on a daily basis. While working with MSAA, they learned about the Sweeten the Season campaign, an annual MSSA fundraiser in which paper candy canes are sold for $1.00. Pagliante and Weikert introduced the Sweeten the Season campaign to their school, aiming to raise enough money to purchase a cooling vest. In addition to selling paper candy canes, the boys organized a movie showing and created two public service announcements that were shown at school. The program surpassed their goal and raised $2,500 for MSSA, the highest total ever brought in by any participating group.
March 9 - Chris Bertino of Conshohocken, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Chris Bertino of Conshohocken, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Nuggets game on Thursday, March 9, 2006. For the past five years Bertino and her family, friends and colleagues from Verizon have participated in the Memory Walk, the largest national signature fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association. Bertino serves as the captain for the Verizon team in the walk, where over the years she has inspired thousands of people to come together to raise money for families dealing with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Last year, the Delaware Valley walk raised $925,000 with more than 10,000 participating from Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware.
March 5 - Joseph Coyle of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Joseph Coyle of Philadelphia, Pa., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Pacers game on Sunday, March 5, 2006. Coyle, a teacher at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia, organized a book drive in 2003 after visiting a school that was not fortunate enough to supply books to their students. After speaking with his students, they collected 3,750 books in just 10 days. Coyle and his students delivered the books to students before Christmas break. The next year, Coyle challenged the entire St. Joseph's Preparatory community to donate as many books as possible and they collected 10,700 books in 10 days. The books were donated to Saint Joseph's University and distributed to local schools in the area. This year, Coyle and his students raised 12,500 books and donated them to Philadelphia READS.

March 3 - Justin Herman of Huntingdon Valley, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Justin Herman of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Wizards game on Friday, March 3, 2006. In honor of their Aunt Eileen who passed away due to breast cancer in 1999, Herman and his family started the Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund, a non-profit foundation that helps fund breast cancer research. Over the past six years Herman, along with a small group of volunteers, has sponsored various events including sales of breast cancer awareness apparel, bowling benefits, charity gift wraps, and bus trips to Race for the Cure. These events have raised over $650,000, which has gone to the genetic breast cancer research at Fox Chase Cancer Center of Philadelphia. In high school, Herman took the initiative to get more students involved with the foundation. He succeed in getting Lower Moreland High School involved with various fundraising events including selling pink breast cancer awareness bracelets, and increasing the level of breast cancer awareness of students and faculty, Now enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, Herman plans to continue to get peers involved with the foundation and increase awareness of the disease.

February
February 25 - Levi Hall of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Levi Hall of Philadelphia, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Bulls game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006. Hall, an event staff employee for Comcast-Spectacor for the past three and half years, served with the 119th Combat Support Battalion in Iraq for one year, from Nov. 14, 2004 through Nov. 24, 2005. As a supply sergeant for the New Jersey National Guard, he was responsible for maintaining force combat readiness. Hall currently attributes the military discipline that he has attained from Iraq amongst his fellow staff members, helping make the Comcast-Spectacor security staff one of the best around.

February 22 - Brig. Gen. Ernie Talbert of Wilmington, Del.
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Brig. Gen. Ernie Talbert, of Wilmington, Del. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Cavaliers game on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006. In December 2005, Gen. Talbert became the first African-American general in the 350-year history of the Delaware National Guard. After serving six years in the active duty Air Force, Talbert joined the Delaware Air Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing. He is currently the Delaware Air Guard’s Chief of Staff and has served in nearly every leadership position during the past 26 years. He has flown alongside fellow unit Airmen into combat aboard the unit’s C-130 Hercules aircraft during two wars. Gen. Talbert remains deeply committed to serving our community and nation as a member of the military and mentoring young people.

February 15- A.J. Nanayakkara of Roslyn, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored A.J. Nanayakkara of Roslyn, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Spurs game on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Nanayakkara, a full-time student at Temple University, is currently a peer-to-peer mentor for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. Nanayakkara performs as a co-leader in patient groups, one-on-one peer counseling, and group or individual occupational therapy demonstrations. At the age of 21, Nanayakkara was diagnosed with quadriplegia. He thrives to not let his disability get in the way of his ambitions. Nanayakkara is now studying psychology in order to become a clinical psychologist for individuals with disabilities. He is hoping for one day to spread his resilience to others with disabilities. Nanayakkara was also a member of the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby team in 2005. The team went on to compete in the World Wheelchair Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Nanayakkara won a gold medal. Mayor John Street honored him for his athletic abilities and his dedication to helping others

February 6 - Steve Head of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Steve Head, of Philadelphia, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Rockets game on Monday, Feb.6th, 2006. The "76ers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott" program recognizes "an everyday hero in the community" and awards two tickets to a Sixers game. Head has been a board member of Philadelphia's Police Athletic League (PAL) for 17 years. As a child, Head grew up as a member of the organization which profoundly impacted his life. He received a college scholarship from PAL in 1974, and now returns the favor by sponsoring college scholarships each year for members of PAL with financial needs. In 1992, he founded the PAL Golf Classic, a fundraising event that has brought in more than $1million dollars since its inception. Head's contributions to PAL allow it to continue to have great impact on the lives of Philadelphia area children.

February 3- Pete Kane of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Pete Kane, of Philadelphia, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Pistons game on Friday, Feb.3, 2006. Kane, a photojournalist for NBC-10 for more than 30 years, serves on the alumni board at his alma mater, Ben Franklin High School, where he spends time mentoring the next generation of journalists. Having been mentored by a photojournalist himself, Kane learned the value of having a mentor and adopted the motto, ‘one person can make a difference. In addition to his work as a mentor, Kane participates in speaking engagements, workshops and seminars, where he shares stories about his personal triumphs over tragedies. Also very active in his church, Kane is a trustee and youth supervisor. Early on in his career, Kane worked as a freelance photographer at night for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, the Bulletin and Associated Press. In 1985, he won the prestigious Alfred I. duPont Award for capturing exclusive video of the infamous MOVE event in Philadelphia.

January
January 31 - Ike Cahoe of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Ike Cahoe, of Philadelphia, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Suns game on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006. For the last six years, Cahoe has served as a volunteer coach for the Magee Sixers Spokesmen, totaling over 2,000 hours of service. A talented coach who is passionate about the game, Cahoe is a strong leader and shows equal interest and dedication to both his elite and beginner players. Under Cahoe's leadership the Spokesman have elevated from a recreational level to currently being ranked 7th nationally in the country in National Wheelchair Basketball Association Division II, marking the first time the team has cracked the top-10. Additionally, Cahoe volunteered as a delegate at large on the Board of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.

January 28 - Austin Weinerman of Penn Valley, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Austin Weinerman of Penn Valley, P.A. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Knicks game on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006. Weinerman started the Hand-in-Hand organization at Harriton High School, which is dedicated to raising money for cancer research. The organization will sponsor various events during the year to provide cancer awareness throughout the school. After losing loved ones to cancer, Weinerman, a junior at Harriton, aims for his Hand-in-Hand organization to spread awareness of the disease. So far his committee has collected $1500 from friends, family, and community members to support the organization. Hand-in-Hand will be hosting its first Wing Bowl on Feb. 2 at his high school. All proceeds will go to the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, which is a non-profit medical research facility

January 26 - Jason Warren of Cherry Hill, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Jason Warren of Cherry Hill, N.J., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Magic game on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006. Last September, 12-year-old Warren organized a Make-A-Wish Charity Event at the Playdrome Woodcrest Bowling Lanes. Warren suffers from arteriovenous malformations, has had two strokes at his young age, and has benefited from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After his wish was granted, he wanted to help other children's wishes be granted. With over 400 people in attendance, Warren's Bowling Bash on Sept. 9, 2005, raised over $57,000. The proceeds from donations, raffles and sponsors granted 7 children their wishes.

January 24 - Jake Kramer of Moorestown, N.J.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Jake Kramer of Moorestown, N.J., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Kings game on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. Kramer, at only 7-years-old, has been living with Type 1 diabetes for the past four years. He and his father have raised money for the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, N.J., which benefits the South Jersey branch of JDRF. Team “Shake and Bake Jake” walked door-to-door with a letter explaining Kramer’s story, and also sent letters to friends, family members and local business contacts. This year, they raised over $49,000 for JDRF, totaling over $107,000 for the past 3 years. More than one million Americans have type 1 (juvenile) diabetes-a disease which strikes children and young adults suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Someone is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every hour. To stay alive those diagnosed Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes require constant attention and must take multiple insulin injections daily and test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers for blood six or more times per day.

January 20 - Jake Williams and Alex O'Neill of North Wilmington, Del.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Jake Williams and Alex O’Neill of North Wilmington, Del., as a "76ers Hometown Hero" at the Sixers-Grizzlies game on Friday, Jan. 20, 2006. Williams and O’Neill are scout leaders for Pack 506, which exclusively works with homeless boys ages 7 to 11. They have taught the members of Pack 506 how to use tools, conduct science experiments, pitch tents, play scout games, and learn skills such as knot tying. In the summer the Pack attends summer cub camp, and during the year take trips to museums and ball games. Through Pack 506, 100 boys have had the opportunity to establish friendships and the opportunity to move up to the Boy Scout level.
January 18 - Casey Krause of Center Valley, PA.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Casey Krause of Center Valley, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Nets game on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. Keeping with the theme of the evening as the Sixers will be hosting Kyle's Coats for Kids Drive hosted by Sixers forward Kyle Korver, the Sixers will honor Krause. A nine-year-old aspiring basketball player, Krause coordinated a coat-drive at Hopewell Elementary School. After attending a Sixers game last season during Kyle's Coat Drive, Krause was inspired by Korver to create the coat drive at his school resulting in the donation of nearly 150 coats.

January 13 - Susan Brodesser of West Chester, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Susan Brodesser of West Chester, PA. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Celtics game on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Last May, Brodesser and a group of friends from West Chester formed HomeAID for Africa, a fund raising and advocacy group for African families affected by HIV and AIDS. Brodesser's primary motive to start the group was watching Nkosi Johnson, a 12-year-old boy from South Africa who was born with HIV, give a speech to the International AIDS Conference in 2000. In his speech, Nkosi urged delegates to remember the needs of children who often are stigmatized because of their illness. To raise money, HomeAID for Africa makes and sells hand-dyed silk scarves. Depending on the size, the scarves sell for $18-20, and last year, HomeAID for Africa donated $7,200 to Nkosi's Haven, a non-profit agency that offers care to HIV infected women and their children in Johannesburg and Open Arms Malawi, a shelter for orphans with AIDS in Blantyre, Malawi. HomeAID for Africa's scarves are sold at local craft shows and community events throughout the area, most recently at Chadds Ford Day and the West Chester Restaurant Festival last September. For more information, visit http://homeaidforafrica.org or home.aid@verizon.net.

January 11 - David E. Poindexter of Wyndmoor, PA.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored David E. Poindexter of Wyndmoor, PA. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Jazz game on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006. Poindexter, an elementary teacher in the Cheltenham School District, was influential in creating the mentoring program known as Students with Academic Potential (SWAP) at the Elkins Park School. In its seventh year, the SWAP program is now included in each school in the Cheltenham District for grades K through 12. This program currently has 100-125 volunteers mentoring over 200 children in the Cheltenham area. Some of the program's activities include trips to sporting events, the theatre and college tours in locations spanning from New York City and Washington, D.C. for some children who may have never ventured outside of their own neighborhoods. Poindexter, who holds a bachelors and masters degree in Education and Special Education from Antioch University, currently spends a majority of his time mentoring youth himself. Recently, he was instrumental in helping five young men receive partial scholarships to several historically black colleges and universities. Committed to helping others in his community, Poindexter strongly believes that as long as he continues to help people, that "his living will not be in vain."

January 9 - Jane Golden of Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Jane Golden of Philadelphia, PA. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-SuperSonics game on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. Founded by Golden in 1984, the Mural Arts Program started as a component of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, a city-wide initiative to eradicate destructive graffiti and address neighborhood blight. As the Executive Director of MAP, now a separate program from PAGN, Golden's project is involved in mural making, as well as art education for youths throughout the city of Philadelphia. Originally born in Margate, N.J. and a graduate of Stanford University, Golden's art education programs annually instruct over 3,000 8 to 18-year-olds at over 60 sites throughout the city. The classes, taught by professional artists both after school and during the summer, use mural making to teach art as well as promote self-confidence and life skills. Classes are free of charge ensuring accessibility for all youth. The Community Murals division of MAP provides over 130 murals each year. These community murals are created to reflect the culture of Philadelphia's neighborhoods, and with 2,564 total in the city, Philadelphia possesses the most murals in the country, which is all credited to Golden. Further information on the Mural Arts Program can be found on their website at http://muralarts.org.


December
December 21 - Captain Arthur Roscoe Of Westmont, N.J.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Captain Arthur Roscoe of Westmont, N.J. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Warriors game on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005. Roscoe, an Army captain of the 119th Corps Support Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard, recently returned from Iraq where he spent one year serving our country. In his position, he supervises the daily administrative procedures of the battalion, which consists of 1,000 men and women. More specifically, Roscoe was in change of the battalion’s personnel as well as the legal, financial and casualty matters of its deployed soldiers. A dedicated soldier himself, he has been described as a caring and loving father of two children, in addition to being a huge Philadelphia sports fan. Roscoe has been back in the States now four about three-four weeks, where he continues his duties as captain of the battalion, which is headquartered in his hometown of Westmont, N.J.

December 16 - Rocco Fiorentino Of Voorhees, N.J.
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Rocco Fiorentino of Voorhees, N.J. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Heat game on Friday, Dec. 16, 2005. Fiorentino, a third grade student at Signal Hill School persuaded state legislators to provide more funds to educate blind children. The 9-year-old Fiorentino has spoken at a state budget forum and later on the Assembly floor. Recently it has been announced that a $900,000 initiative has been passed to hire 12 more Braille teachers across the state to help educate blind children. The initiative will allow sight-impaired students to receive from four to five hours per week of Braille instruction, which is the amount blind children need to fully learn and understand Braille. Also a singer and musician, Fiorentino has testified before the Assembly Budget Committee at the age of 5, resulting in the funding for six new Braille instructors. Fioretino's family runs a non-profit organization known as the Little Rock Foundation. For more information on the foundation please visit http://www.tlrf.org.

December 14 - Catherine Nold Of Jenkintown, Pa.,
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Catherine Nold of Jenkintown, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Hawks game on December 14, 2005. Nold has volunteered with Ken-Crest, an agency that serves more then 6,600 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Delaware Valley for over five years. For the past two years has volunteered her personal time to lead the planning for Ken-Crest's Centennial celebration of 100 years of service in Philadelphia. With the help of volunteers she planned a yearlong celebration that would include six different events. The events included a Transition Conference, a Family Reunion at the Philadelphia Zoo, a Centennial Church Service, a Centennial Golf Tournament, a Centennial Staff Recognition Dinner, and a "100 birthday parties at 100 Ken-Crest locations". Through her efforts she was able to raise over half a million dollars for the Ken-Crest agency. She has received letters of congratulations from the White House, House of Representatives, and six individual Congressmen. In the midst of spending hundreds of volunteer hours for Ken-Crest, Nold has worked a full- time marketing job with Chase Home Finance. She lives with her husband Bill, daughter Leah, and son Russell, who also has a disability. Her work has affected thousands of children and adults with disabilities in the Delaware Valley and the funds she has raised will continue to help for years to come.

December 12 - Rudy Muller of Philadelphia, Pa.
The Philadelphia 76ers will honor Rudy Muller as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Timberwolves game on Monday, Dec. 12, 2005. Muller, an officer in the district's attorney homicide unit, entered a burning building on Thanksgiving morning and rescued six people. The fire destroyed 16 apartments within the Ephraim Goldstein Apartment complex for senior citizens. One of the victims Muller saved was his 92-year-old grandmother, Marie Raffa. As a result of his heroism, Muller spent the next 24 hours recovering at Holy Redeemer Hospital's intensive-care unit for smoke inhalation. Muller has been a police officer for thirteen years serving with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Ivyland Boro of Bucks County, and is currently a Philadelphia police officer. In addition to his heroic rescue efforts last month, Muller saved a woman and her dog from a burning building on Christmas Eve in 2000.

December 9 - Meloyde and Anne Zapalac of Worcester, Pa.,
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Meloyde and Anne Zapalac from Worcester, Pa., as "76ers Hometown Heroes" for the Sixers-Bobcats game on Friday, Dec. 9, 2005. The Zapalac's created the "Starting School in Style" program, a free "shopping mall experience." "Starting School in Style" serves as an active way of donating clothing to less-fortunate teens, giving them the opportunity to shop for back-to-school clothes. After collecting new and slightly worn clothes, the mother and daughter duo set up a boutique-style shopping space at Mercy Suburban Family Practice Center in Morristown, Pa. In all, 400 girls showed up including older and younger siblings, cousins, mothers and grand mothers. A total of 120 boxes of clothing were donated and this is now an annual event.

December 7 - Nick Fergus of Philadelphia, Pa.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Nick Fergus of Philadelphia, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Bucks game on Wednesday, December 7, 2005. Fergus, a volunteer assistant recreation leader at Kendrick Recreation Center in Roxborough, is known for his generosity and devotion to the Roxborough community. Fergus spends nearly 40 hours a week at the center maintaining the softball fields and helping with the summer day camp in addition to a multitude of other activities. Every winter he will be found running the score clock at the 21st Ward A.A. Biddy and Senior Basketball Leagues, and adding energy through his exciting play-by-play commentary. He is famous for his "King Nick Game Balls" which is his online listing of the game summaries and box scores. Last summer Fergus organized a rock-and-roll concert to benefit and raise money for the Kendrick Recreation Center.

November
November 29 - Marne Kies Dietterich of Solebury, Pa.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Marne Kies Dietterich of Solebury, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Trail Blazers game on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005. Dietterich founded the Wrapping Presence program, which allows elderly nursing-home residents the chance to give holiday presents to their friends and loved ones. While living in a nursing home in Illinois, Dietterich's parents were frustrated during the holidays about not being able to give back to others. After seeing their frustration, she contacted a local nursing home that gave her the name of six residents who would enjoy choosing gifts for their loved ones. At no costs to the residents or facility Dietterich was able to allow the residents the thrill of shopping for the people they cared most about. Eleven years after the program originated, 700 residents in fifteen Delaware Valley nursing homes will experience the joy of choosing gifts to give to their friends and family through the Wrapping Presence program. She has recruited volunteers to serve as wrapping buddies, and is currently expanding the program into Vermont and Illinois. Her church, Doylestown Presbyterian, has helped with the funding and providing volunteers, as Wrapping Presence has become their charity outreach program. Wrapping Presence allows nursing home residents the dignity of participating first hand in the holiday experience.

November 21 - Patricia Edwards of Lancaster, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Patricia Edwards of Lancaster, Pa. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Hornets game on Monday, Nov. 21, 2005. In light of the tragedy that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on so many lives, Edwards opened her arms and doors to 50 family members who have had their lives affected by the storm. Shortly after the storm that ravaged the Gulf Coast, Edwards answered her door to find six carloads of relatives waiting outside her door. Instead of being overwhelmed, she welcomed all of her storm battered relatives into her four-bedroom house. Edwards has gone above and beyond the call of duty in allowing her relatives to live at her house until they are able and ready to get back on their feet and return to their normal lives.

November 19 - Heather Saler of Mount Laurel, NJ
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Heather Saler of Mount Laurel, N.J. as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Cavaliers game on Nov 19, 2005. The "76ers Hometown Hero: In the Spirit of Alex Scott" program recognizes "an everyday hero in the community" and awards two tickets to a Sixers game. Saler, who suffers from lung cancer, has gone above and beyond in organizing efforts to advance lung cancer research. In 2004 she organized the Annual South Jersey Lung Cancer Walk, Run, and Rally. This is currently the only completely research-driven charity for lung cancer. In the first year the charity was able to raise over $32,000, all of which went to lung cancer research. This year at the 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Walk, Run, and Rally on Nov 5 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, N.J., 300 participants were able to raise more than $45,000 towards lung cancer research. Saler is a very dedicated and courageous woman who is fighting a difficult disease. Saler resides in Mount Laurel, NJ with her husband Brad and son Tyler.

November 15 - Christopher Banton and Gary Williams
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Christopher Banton and Gary Williams, for their efforts rescuing a newborn baby girl as "76ers Hometown Heroes" for the Sixers-Raptors game. Banton and Williams, both Prince Telecomm employees who handle installations for Comcast, were out on a chilly evening completing their last service call of the day when they heard a rustling in the leaves below their feet. They looked down to find an unclothed newborn baby girl lying on the ground. They immediately jumped into action by rushing into the customer's house to get a blanket to wrap the baby in and call 911. When paramedics arrived the baby was in critical condition with a body temperature of just 83 degrees; she was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center and has since been upgraded to good condition. If not for Banton and Williams finding the newborn and reacting so quickly and smartly it is likely the child would not have survived the night.

November 13 - Eight Girls from King of Prussia, PA
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Courtney and Carin Smith, Jenny Hayes, Laura McCaughey, Abby and Christine Mina, Elissa Salamy and Michaela Kiczula, of King of Prussia as the 76ers Hometown Hero. In June 2004, these eight girls wanted to have some summer fun by opening a lemonade stand. After hearing about Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the girls decided their lemonade profits would go to childhood cancer research. The girls approached David Broida from Upper Merion Park and Recreation about having the stand at a Sunday Concert Under the Stars. It was so successful that they held a stand every Sunday throughout the summer. The girls wanted to continue to help the Scott's reach Alex's goal of $5 million dollars she had set before she died and began a stand again this past summer. Over the past two summers the girls have raised more than $7 thousand dollars. They are already planning stands for next summer.

November 11 - Al Perna
In honor of Veteran's Day The Philadelphia 76ers honored South Philadelphia native Al Perna, a World War II Veteran and former prisoner of war, as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Lakers game on Nov. 11, 2005. Perna, 84, is a former prisoner of war, held for six and a half months by the German forces in World War II. Wounded in combat during World War II, Perna was among the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. Perna was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions and also received a Bronze Star with a cluster for going above and beyond the call of duty. He was recently honored with an award from the French Ambassador to the United States for storming the beaches of Normandy. Perna lives in South Philadelphia.

November 9 - Elin Danien
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Elin Danien, creator of the "Bread Upon the Waters" program at the University of Pennsylvania, as a "76ers Hometown Hero" for the Sixers-Mavericks game on Nov. 9, 2005. Danien created the "Bread Upon the Waters" scholarship fund in 1986 to help adult women attending University of Pennsylvania part-time. Danien herself once a non-traditional older student, wanted to help academically gifted women over 30 for whom financial aid was otherwise not available. The fund started with $1,000 and awarded its first scholarship in 1987. The organization now has an endowment fund valued at over $1million. As of May 2005, "Bread Upon the Waters" has helped 53 women earn their degrees, 28 with honors. Twelve women have gone on to do graduate work. 26 additional women are attending classes this year.

November 4 - Christopher Knapp
The Philadelphia 76ers are proud to honor Christopher Knapp who helped raise money for the American Red Cross to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. After seeing images of Katrina’s destruction on the television, Knapp asked his friends and family to help out by bringing donations instead of gifts to his fifth birthday party. About 16 children attended the party and Knapp was able to raise $200. Knapp also helped his older siblings, Danny age 9, and Jacqueline age 6, raise money to donate to Katrina victims by selling lemonade.

November 1 - The Owners, trainer, and jockey of Afleet Alex
The Philadelphia 76ers are proud to honor Chuck Zacney, Robert Brittingham, Joseph Lerro, Joseph Judge, and Jennifer Reeves, the owners of Afleet Alex, trainer Tim Ritchey, and Jeremy Rose, the jockey of Afleet Alex, a racehorse based in Delaware Park, who have been donating a portion of Afleet Alex's winnings to Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer. Through their generosity and commitment to children with cancer, they have helped her story reach millions of people and inspire thousands to give to Alex's Lemonade Stand in support of lifesaving research for children with cancer.



2004-2005 Hometwon Heroes Winners

For more information on how to donate to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Fund go to www.alexslemonade.com.
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