Hometown Heroes

August Hero
August Hero
August Hero
Penny Bartlett from Colonie is the proud Marine Mom of 26-year-old Ian and she wrote to us hoping we'd honor him as August's Hometown Hero.  Mom also told us that her son may be slightly uncomfortable with the 'fanfare' that comes along with it and decided to spend a few minutes with, in her words, why her son is so amazing.
Local “Pet Detective” June’s Hometown Hero (AUDIO)
Local “Pet Detective” June’s Hometown Hero (AUDIO)
Local “Pet Detective” June’s Hometown Hero (AUDIO)
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference and Josh Grassi from Clifton Park is truly one-of-a-kind.  He loves animals so much, his spends countless hours (and his own resources) tracking down and locating lost pets.
May Hero
May Hero
May Hero
This month's Hometown Hero, Henrietta "Hank" Dunn from Duanesburg, was nominated by her friend Betsey.  Betsey explained to us all the terrific, selfless work that Hank does in the community and we were blown away.  Hank goes out of her way to make sure that women battling breast cancer get treated to things like facials, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, wigs, and even chocolates.  These
April Hero
April Hero
April Hero
Mark Becker from East Greenbush wasn't an easy guy to get a hold of, but for good reason.  This busy firefighter, Army vet, father of three children, and manager of a  family business certainly has his hands full! Yet he still finds time to give back to his community and acts as a great role model for his colleagues and everyone he's around.   We salute you sir, we thank you for your service, and
March Hero
March Hero
March Hero
This month's Hometown Hero has worked at the same job for over thirty years where she serves selflessly in the city of Corinth. She lives by the mantra of doing one good deed a day. It could be a small act of kindness or a great big one as long as an effort is made to do one each day.
February Hero
February Hero
February Hero
February's Hometown Hero is an amazing young girl named Carly Waters from Schoharie.  When Carly, 9, learned that both of her sisters deal with hearing loss, she decided to turn lemons into the sweetest way to raise money for kids dealing with the same problem.  Carly's mom Marissa wrote in on behalf of her kind daughter.  Read her story and hear the call that we made to Carly surprising her with
January Hero
January Hero
January Hero
Hot 99.1's January Hometown Hero was slightly taken aback when we called the other morning. Moments after identifying ourselves as local radio hosts, the first thing she responded with was 'How can I help you?'
December Hero
December Hero
December Hero
This unique woman is the epitome of a Hometown Hero. The Coxsackie native fights fires, spearheads fundraisers for her church, and spends countless hours creating fun activities for local kids. Jennifer Moore-Warren is our December Hometown Hero.
November Hero
November Hero
November Hero
We've all had teachers and known school officials who've gone above and beyond the call of duty making long-lasting impacts on students.  November's Hometown Hero does all of those things and much, much more.  Her name is Lisa Mickle, and she's the principal of Okte Elementary School (Shen) in Clifton Park.
October Hero
October Hero
October Hero
John Bradke is originally from Niskayuna where he served as a volunteer firefighter for 12 years, but in his heart, he knew he needed to be doing what he loves down in New York City. So 5 years ago he chased his dream of becoming a firefighter in the Bronx, leaving behind a loving girlfriend, family, and friends.  He told us why he decided to make such a bold leap and it's the kind of life-changin
September’s Hometown Hero: A Kind Neighbor We Could All Use
September’s Hometown Hero: A Kind Neighbor We Could All Use
September’s Hometown Hero: A Kind Neighbor We Could All Use
Heroes come in all walks of life, lines of duty, and nooks and crannies. They are first responders, mentors, leaders, military personnel, and teachers.  And sometimes, they are simply a kind neighbor. September’s County Waste Hometown Hero is Ashley Carmichael from Potter Hollow and we are honored here at WGNA to tell you her story.
Hot 99.1 Honors Hometown Hero For The Homeless (Audio)
Hot 99.1 Honors Hometown Hero For The Homeless (Audio)
Hot 99.1 Honors Hometown Hero For The Homeless (Audio)
Renee from Selkirk was nursing a massive migraine when we unexpectedly called her Thursday morning to tell her about her Hometown Hero nomination.  We tried to tell her we were totally cool with calling her back, but Renee wouldn't budge.  Migraine or not,  her desire to spread the word about her homeless initiative 'Street Soldiers' was way too important to pass up.  She powered through the phone
June Hero
June Hero
June Hero
What doesn't June's Hometown Hero do?  Kim Talbot from Scotia was just wrapping up the 2018 school year when we called her the other morning to talk to her about the nomination from a friend of hers.  She was in the middle of serving breakfasts, packing lunches and arranging for underprivileged students of the Scotia-Glenville school district to have their necessary essentials.  Listen to the phon
May Hero
May Hero
May Hero
Every month it's such an honor to learn about everyday people doing simply amazing things and Chrissy and I get to experience that with our Hometown Heroes. May's recipient is a woman named Robin Wickham-Drobner from Coxsackie. What she does every single day is nothing short of remarkable, and it was our pleasure to honor her as this month's Hometown Hero.
April Hero
April Hero
April Hero
Cheryl Schweinsberg from Albany is only 28 years old and she's already dedicated almost half of her life to serving her community by volunteering to change lives and work as a paramedic in Albany attempting to save them as well.  She was nominated to be April's Hometown Hero by her admiring co-worker Brianna and we're really glad she was.  After we spent a few minutes with Cheryl on the phone, we
March Hero
March Hero
March Hero
Alexander Kovarovic, from Guilderland, is a nineteen year old motivational speaker, suicide prevention advocate, crisis prevention counselor, drug and alcohol intervention counselor, and an in training firefighter. He has been an advocate for teens across the country and around the world.
February Hero
February Hero
February Hero
Blaine Neary is a volunteer firefighter with the town of Melrose and a paid EMT in Hoosick Valley. It was his quick thinking, however, at is own home that saved the life of a woman that means more to him than any other person on the planet.  His own mother.  After listening to his incredible story and hearing more about this ambitious 20 year old, you'll know why Blaine Neary is February's Hometow
November Hero
November Hero
November Hero
Dave's been a volunteer fire firefighter for 20 plus years, an EMT, and dispatcher for the Saratoga county sheriff's department and Waterford Police Department.
October Heroes
October Heroes
October Heroes
When friends and high school students Ben Olsen and Gerard Rhatigan from Latham realized that a girl with special needs was missing, they were relentless in their attempt to try to find her.
September Hero
September Hero
September Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. This month we salute Gloversville soldier, Brandon Hermance.
August Hero
August Hero
August Hero
County Waste has partnered with WGNA to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference.
July Hero
July Hero
July Hero
County Waste has partnered with WGNA to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion.  Time to meet July's "Hometown Hero": Frank Curtis from Waterford
June Hero
June Hero
June Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion.
May Hero
May Hero
May Hero
May’s Hometown Hero story is a true must listen and it comes just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.  In the month that we honor and pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we are so proud to award WGNA’s May Hometown Hero to Russell Coonradt from Cohoes.
April Hero
April Hero
April Hero
When we received this month's "Hometown Hero" nomination from Liz about her incredible friend, it was obvious that she wrote from the heart and with admiration.
March Hero
March Hero
March Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion. This month's Hometown Hero is a real "life saver" and is every bit as humble as she is courageous.
February Hero
February Hero
February Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion...
January Hero
January Hero
January Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion...
December Hero
December Hero
December Hero
County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference. All throughout 2017, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion...

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