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ASHVILLE -- The Chautauqua Children's Safety Education Village has announced its award recipients for their inaugural Gala Dinner and Auction which will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Chautauqua Inn and Suites in Mayville.
An awards ceremony is part of the evening festivities where we will honor three local individuals.
The first award being given is the Ron Keddie Award for Excellence in the Fire Service. The award honors those who have unselfishly contributed to the greater good by dedicating themselves to fire safety and saving the lives of others. The award has been named after Ron Keddie, who passed away June 27, 2012, at the age of 64. Keddie was a state fire instructor as well as the Chautauqua County Fire Service training coordinator. Keddie routinely taught fire prevention to children at local schools, youth groups and the Children's Safety Village. Keddie also helped develop the fire prevention curriculum that is used today. He served the Sheridan Fire Department in the offices of president, chief for two terms and as a fire commissioner in his third term. Through the course of his career he also served on countless committees.
The 2017 Excellence in the Fire Service is being given to Julius Leone, retiring Chautauqua County director of emergency services. Leone has dedicated his life to his profession and began his career with the Hook and Ladder company of the Fredonia Fire Department. He has served in all of the line officer positions including captain. He has been assistant fire chief and fire chief for Fredonia Fire Department, has been a certified EMT since 1981, has served as president for the Chautauqua County Fire Chiefs Association, the Emergency Medical Services Council and chairman of the Fire Advisory Board.
The second award being given is the Kevin Link Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement. The award is to commemorate exemplary talents and contributions as demonstrated by the nominee's dedication, loyalty, ability and integrity. The award has been named after Kevin Link, a deputy sheriff with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office who passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 19, 2016. He served as a member of the Chautauqua County SWAT Team, Dive Team and was a certified EMT. Link also worked part-time as an EMT for the ALSTAR Ambulance Service. He worked as a school resource officer at Cassadaga Central Schools, BOCES - LoGuidice Center, and most recently, served as the school resource officer for Silver Creek Central School. Link also played a key role in the Safety Village internet safety program that is used today.
The 2017 Excellence in Law Enforcement is being given to Matthew Hazelton, Dunkirk K-9 police officer who passed away Aug. 6, 2017. Hazelton served as a police officer for the Dunkirk Police Department for 14¢ years, the last two years he served as the city's K9 officer. He was a member of the Dunkirk Dive Team and was also a member of the Dunkirk Police Benevolent Association. His wife Jennifer will accept the award.
The Madelyn Petscher or Young Hero Award is being given to a child who has demonstrated bravery and heroism. It was developed to honor children ages 13 and under who have used the knowledge they have learned to help others in an emergency situation and to commemorate their contributions to the safety of others. Madelyn Petscher attended the Children's Safety Village during the first few years of operation. Even at the young age of 4, she did exactly what she was asked in class, which was to go home and choose a meeting place with her family and practice an escape plan in case of a fire. She was so adamant in insisting that her family participate in this activity that her father finally gave in and they all practiced an escape plan after dinner. Little did they know that months later, their home and all their belongings would be consumed in a house fire which also took the life of their dog, Nana, who first alerted the family of the fire. The rest of the family escaped safely.
The 2017 Young Hero Award is being given to Raymond Carlson, who committed a heroic act in 2009 when he was 9 years old. Raymond took charge in an emergency situation and saved the lives of his grandmother and three children. He was able to get everyone to safety and call for help.
"The Children's Safety Village is honored to have the opportunity to recognize this year's prestigious award winners, each of whom have touched the lives of many people right here in our community," said Terri Kindberg, executive director. "These award recipients have made significant contributions by the lives they lived and the choices they made. All too often we forget to acknowledge those who put their lives at risk for us or say thank you to those who have made a lasting impact on our lives."
"The Gala is the perfect opportunity for local residents to recognize individuals who make a difference in the lives of others. We would like to invite the community to attend the Gala to show them how much we value their contributions to our community," said Jessica Dayton, associate director.
For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets, visit www.childrenssafetyvillage.com/events, call 338-0171 or email jessica@childrenssafetyvillage.com. The evening will feature a social hour from 6 to 7 p.m. where attendees can bid on silent auction items and have appetizers and drinks. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with awards following after. A live auction will end the event. All proceeds from the auction will go to support the Children's Safety Villages' fire, traffic, and bike safety programs.