Dot Neutzling — Blood Volunteer Hero
Lisa Richie — Education Hero
Billie C. Campbell — Military Hero
GALLIPOLIS — In a joint effort to recognize community members who have supported the region through good will and volunteerism, the Gallipolis Daily Tribune and the American Red Cross will sponsor a breakfast ceremony beginning at 7:30 a.m. Friday, June 22, at the Gallia County Senior Center located on Ohio 160 — the fourth annual ceremony of its kind. The breakfast is being held in honor of the recently named recipients of the 2012 Everyday Hero awards. This marks the third article in a series of four to recognize the individuals to be honored.
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Billie C. Campbell — Military Hero
Billie C. Campbell was a World War II U. S. Army veteran, who served in the 36th and 3rd Divisions of the Fifth Army. He was in both the North African and European theatres of operation as an infantryman, serving under General Mark Clark during 1943-1944. While serving in the Italian campaign, he was awarded the bronze star. Following the injuries he received during the siege at Monte Casino, he was discharged on October 5, 1944.
After returning to civilian life, he pursued a career as a heavy equipment operator, involved in earth moving and highway construction. Following his retirement in 1983, he remained active in a number of volunteer projects, including French City Child Care, where he was affectionately referred to by the children as “Pawpaw Bill”, and served as a role model for many area youth.
Following a lengthy illness, he passed away on January 8, 2012.
His wife of 61 years, Marianne, commented, “Bill would be so appreciative of this recognition. He was a truly humble person, proud to be of service to his country but never talked about his experiences in World War II. He was very much a ‘people person’, always finding ways to help others, because he cared. On Bill’s behalf, I thank you for honoring him in this very special way.”
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Dot Neutzling — Blood Volunteer Hero
Dot Neutzling has made saving lives her life’s work. To call her a hero is an understatement.
Neutzling was born and raised in Pomeroy, Ohio. She came to Gallia County to attend the University of Rio Grande and graduated from the Holzer School of Nursing in 1973. Her first job as a pediatric nurse at Holzer Hospital was just the beginning of many more titles to come.
During her 19-year stint as a pediatric nurse, Neutzling was devoted to continuing her education, specifically in the emergency field, becoming an EMT in 1976 and a paramedic in 1977, both for the Southeast Ohio EMS. For many years, she was a Holzer ER nurse, and in 1991, her advanced emergency experience allowed her to work as a flight nurse for Columbus’ Grant Medical Center out of their second unit in Wellston. She held this position for two years.
Neutzling has also committed herself, and her time, to ensuring that health care professionals are properly educated in emergency care. For 13 years, she was the Basic Cardiac Life Support County Coordinator, Instructor, and Trainer for the American Heart Association, teaching weekly classes in Basic Life Support and annual classes in both Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advance Life Support. Over the years, the courses developed a reputation as being one of the area’s most informed and professional programs, attracting health care professionals from all over the state and surrounding area. This is partly due to continual efforts to update and improve emergency protocols, so that providers can offer the best life saving care possible.
“I think it [the training] made nurses better at what they were doing. The minutes you save knowing what you’re dealing with can mean the difference between life or death. Our ultimate goal was always saving lives,” she said.
After years spent as Director of Health Services for University of Rio Grande, Neutzling began volunteering with the American Red Cross, managing and organizing volunteer participation and activities for the blood drives. She also regularly attends meetings and drills with the Gallia County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
“We need to be able to help each other get prepared for disasters like flooding or tornadoes,” said Neutzling. “We need to know how to take care of ourselves and each other for days, if needed.”
When discussing why volunteerism is so important, she explains it’s simply part of being a good neighbor, and Neutzling is one of the best out there.
For more information about disaster preparedness, contact the Gallia County American Red Cross for information booklets on how to organize your household in an emergency or disaster situation.
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Lisa Richie — Education Hero
For 14 years, Lisa Richie has been the school librarian at River Valley Middle School, and has dedicated herself to helping children prepare for the future by teaching them something about the past.
She goes above and beyond her librarian duties to help students excel in the school’s Academic Festival and History Day competitions. The Academic Festival is a platform for the students to showcase their interests in science, English or history through presentation boards or performances. Richie uses her position as librarian to help students research and organize their projects.
Many students use the boards and scripts made for the Academic Festival to compete in the National History Day competition. History Day is an extracurricular academic program where students pick a historical topic according to a theme, gather research and create presentations using a website, paper, performance or exhibit. Competitions are held at the regional, state and national levels throughout the school year.
For the past ten years, Richie has been encouraging student involvement in the program and helping anyone who wants to be involved, every step of the way. History Day requires astonishingly in-depth research, and she spends countless hours outside of the school helping students with their projects.
“The first year I did it, there were three kids,” said Richie. “Now, in the last few years, there have been around 40 kids go to compete.”
The sense of pride and achievement the students earn from the History Day experience is enough to keep Richie coming back for more.
“I enjoy watching them succeed. It’s not that they win,” she said. “It’s seeing the sense of pride they have in something that they didn’t think they could do.”
She explains that History Day is a real learning tool that prepares students for future studies and work environments.
Richie plans to continue to help the students in the academic programs, as well as any other opportunities that may arise.
“I just want to help the kids,” said Richie.
She resides in Gallia County with her husband, Tom. She has two children, Jake and Valerie, and two grandsons, Zeke and Max.
For those interested in learning more about the National History Day program, log on to www.nhd.org.
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Tickets for the Everyday Heroes awards breakfast are $10 and can be purchased by contacting the American Red Cross at (740) 446-8555 or emailing: galliaredcross@sbcglobal.net. Tickets can also be picked up at the Gallipolis Red Cross office located at 417 Second Avenue. Those interested in attending are urged to purchase their tickets as soon as possible, as the event has sold out in past years.
Those interested in volunteering for the American Red Cross can contact the office for more information.
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