Geneva's hometown heroes honored
Eight local residents, including a 10-year-old boy, were recognized as hometown heroes Friday by the Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The winners were recognized for varied accomplishments, including one-of-a-kind, dramatic, lifesaving events, for positive effects on the community and for lifetime achievements.
The eight were chosen in their categories from a slate of more than 60 nominees.
Jim Zellmer, 10, a fourth-grader at Mill Creek Elementary School in Geneva, won the Good Samaritan Award for youth for raising nearly $30,000 for diabetes research through a cycling event and by founding an annual pumpkin drive.
"I accept this award on behalf of all people with diabetes," Zellmer told the gathering, perched on a stool in order to reach the microphone. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004 and decided to commit himself to helping others and finding a cure.
Tom Wangler of Batavia won the adult Good Samaritan Award for entering the Fox River last October -- despite the cold and a strong current -- to rescue two people whose canoe had overturned. Wangler is an Eagle Scout and a canoeist. He dedicated his award to the youth leaders who taught him rescue skills.
Kevin Swanson, a Geneva firefighter, won the Community Safety Award for saving the life of a St. Charles man who was found outside his home after suffering a massive heart attack. Swanson was off-duty last May when he saw the man on the ground and started CPR, keeping the man alive until paramedics arrived.
"I don't feel like I deserve this award, but I'm grateful that a family still has their father and grandfather," Swanson said.
Michael Ingram of Wayne, a full-time student at Elgin Community College, won the Environmental Impact Award for spear-heading community initiatives such as planting 2,000 flower bulbs on campus and adopting a stretch of Randall Road for a highway clean-up program.
"We have only one earth," Ingram said in accepting his award. "So let's take care of it."
Physician Darryl Link of Batavia, who has a private practice in pediatrics and internal medicine in St. Charles, won in the medical category for establishing a clinic in Zambia in order to reduce the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission. He works through a medical ministry sponsored by Willow Creek Church in Barrington.
"I work on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society, our children," Link said. He travels to Zambia once a year and will return in June.
Victor Vant, a science teacher and student-council sponsor at St. Charles East High School, won in the education category in recognition of 42 years of teaching (7 in St. Charles and 35 years in Chicago public schools). He was nominated by some of his students.
"Teaching is not about test grades, but building personal relationships that students can transfer to others," he said.
Verne Bjornson of Maple Park won the Community Impact Award for his long service of 35 years as a firefighter, paramedic, patrol officer and SWAT team member. He has worked for the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District and for the Kane County sheriff's department.
Vietnam veteran Roger Godskesen of Geneva won the military award for heading a team through the organization Soldiers' Angels, which gets supplies to soldiers overseas.
Tammie Souza, meteorologist for Fox News Chicago, served as the master of ceremonies at the sixth annual event, which was at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva.