Although she was not in attendance, Ann Lamade was one of the stars of the Red Cross's Northcentral PA Chapter Red Gala Saturday at the Genetti Hotel.
Lamade and Getty Stewart, both longtime Red Cross volunteers, were presented with the Clara Barton Award, the agency's highest honor, during the fund-raising event.
Lamade, who began working for the chapter in 1972, was home recuperating from surgery, but was present via a pre-recorded interview with gala co-chairman and emcee Ken Sawyer.
Stewart, who has worked for the chapter for 56 years and chairs the chapter's board of directors, was in attendance and appeared stunned when the award was announced.
According to Sawyer, the award is unique in that it only can be presented with the approval of the national Red Cross. Also unique is the fact that the local chapter never has given the award to anyone.
Until Saturday, that is.
"This is the first time the chapter has ever given the Clara Barton Award," Sawyer said. "It's something the local chapter is empowered to do through the national organization. The highest award for a local chapter is the Chairman's Award, but because of their long service, we thought we should go above and beyond."
The two women had plenty of competition for the spotlight, however.
The keynote speaker for the event was television, movie and Broadway star Hugh O'Brian, best known for his seven-year run on ABC portraying legendary lawman Wyatt Earp.
O'Brian was introduced by Sawyer, who said that in spite of O'Brian's illustrious acting career, his founding of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership was his biggest contribution to society.
The organization - known as "HOBY" - has provided leadership training for hundreds of thousands of high school sophomores throughout the world since it was founded.
O'Brian founded the organization in 1958 after being challenged by Nobel laureate and humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer to do something worthwhile with his life.
He discussed the impact the organization has had worldwide since. Alumni of the program have gone on to become leaders throughout the world, he said.
In the United States, they hold seats in Congress and the Senate, he said. More than 200 HOBY alumni work for the State Department, he said.
O'Brian also had high praise for the work of the Red Cross.
"I think all of us should take the time to understand what they do," he said. "But what don't they do? They do everything and deserve your support."
Williamsport Mayor and event co-chairman Gabriel J. Campana presented O'Brian and his wife Virginia with the key to the city, declaring, "Tonight, Williamsport is your city."
Bringing O'Brian to the gala was part of an effort to make the event as memorable as possible, said Dan Eichinger, chapter director of philanthropy and member of the gala committee.
The fact that committee member and chapter development coordinator Judy McKeague was a longtime associate of O'Brian's provided the opportunity to make that happen, he said.
"I wanted 'wow,' and when I found out Judy was associated with Hugh O'Brian, I thought, 'Why not ask Hugh?' - and she did and we have him here," Eichinger said.
Eichinger said it is important for the community to support the local Red Cross by attending events such as the gala, by volunteering and making monetary donations.
"The community has got to understand that if they don't support us, we will go away and the community will be lesser for it," he said.
The Red Cross offers a wide range of services, the most visible of which are local blood drives, he said.
The agency also teaches CPR and first aid, provides aid to people who have gone through disasters and is the only agency allowed by law to act as a liaison to people serving in the military.
"Those are the kinds of things we are about," Eichinger said. "We're about serving our fellow man."
Also recognized during the event were lifelong blood donors.
They included Harry Boyer of Liberty, who has given 34 gallons; James Bottorf of South Williamsport, 29 gallons; Vito Lapriola of Avis, 25 gallons; Mary Jane Kerstetter of Lock Haven, 20 gallons; Kenneth Jones of Cambra, 24 gallons; and Charles Rockwell of Canton, 21 gallons.
Muncy resident and professed amateur historian Marlin Wertman paid homage to O'Brian by attending the event in the spirit of the old west - dressed as a gun slinger.
"I love the old west," Wertman said.
