It’s no secret that local, ordinary citizens, in the face of a crisis, can not only rise to a challenge, but do the extraordinary.

On Wednesday, seven such individuals were honored by the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York at its 14th annual Hometown Heroes Breakfast, sponsored in part by Cummins Inc., Jamestown Engine Plant.

The event, held at Moon Brook Country Club, brought in friends, family and members of the community who helped nominate the recipients and sponsor their awards.

All came to celebrate the acts of courage, commitment, sacrifice and public service displayed by the recipients in the local community.

“These are everyday people whose efforts to help their neighbors in need are truly inspirational,” said Chuck Marra, Western New York Chapter executive director. “The American Red Cross is proud to recognize these ‘Hometown Heroes,’ and we look forward to sharing their incredible stories.”

This year’s recipient of the Humanitarian Blood Donor Award, sponsored by Cummins Inc., was Robert Fralick, a 19-year employee of Cummins, Inc. who has donated blood to the American Red Cross for more than 50 years.

At the time of his last donation, Fralick held the distinction of donating the most amount of blood in the world.

Indeed, by donating more than 300 pints of blood, and inspiring many to donate blood themselves, Fralick may have saved nearly 1,000 people over the years.

The recipients of the Fire Rescue Award, sponsored by Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company, were Furlow Francis and Burl Swanson, both members of the Dewittville Fire Department.

In March, Francis and Swanson were involved in a daring rescue when two ice fishermen fell through the ice on Chautauqua Lake.

Both fishermen were saved after Francis and Swanson deployed on a hovercraft, along with other first responders, and helped bring the men to shore.

The rescue has been hailed as one of the “most amazing ice rescue operations” ever to take place on Chautauqua Lake, according to the Red Cross.

“This is humbling,” Swanson said, after receiving the award. “But this is the job we do and I’m glad it worked out well.”

The recipients of the Animal Rescue Award, sponsored by Nestle Purina PetCare, were Marcia Okerlund and Jann Balsano, of the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue.

According to the Red Cross, the Canine Rescue has been successful in helping with the problem of overpopulation by increasing public awareness of the need to spay and neuter companion animals.

Okerlund and Balsano were singled out for the care and training they have displayed in their work.

Representing them at Wednesday’s breakfast were Toni Naeser and Mo Ferree, both members of the Canine Rescue board of directors.

The recipient of the Law Enforcement Award, sponsored by Farm Fresh Foods, was Joe Gerace, Chautauqua County sheriff.

According to the Red Cross, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Center handled 78,496 emergency 911 calls, 125,602 total calls for service for police agencies and 18,336 calls for fire and emergency services. Moreover, the Sheriff’s Office has reported four lives saved after administering naloxone hydrochloride or Narcan on drug overdose victims.

“We are humbled by this award … which really (belongs) to the men and women who work for the Sheriff’s Office,” Gerace said. “I want to thank the Red Cross. They are a tremendous partner for us. They are always there for us and they’ve never said no.”

The recipient of the Adult Good Samaritan Award, sponsored by Wegmans, was Ray Domanski, a Dunkirk resident who noticed that a Lake Shore Drive East home in Dunkirk had caught fire in April 2015.

The Red Cross said Domanski notified the occupants of the home and called 911, helping to save seven people, including a child. Fire officials said the residence did not have any working smoke detectors and the outcome could have been deadly if not for Domanski’s actions.

The 2016 Hometown Heroes award winners were selected by a group of community leaders.

For more information about the Hometown Heroes program, contact the American Red Cross at 664-5115.