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LEBANON, ME - The Lebanon Rescue Department held its annual Christmas party and awards banquet on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Each year, the rescue holds the event to thank the volunteers with the rescue department for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

There were sixty-eight people who attended this year’s ceremony. For the fourth year in a row, the banquet was held at the Shapleigh Corner Restaurant in Shapleigh.

The 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Captain Stu Morrison. Captain Morrison has been an active member of the Lebanon Rescue Department for about seven years, but has about ten years experience, previously serving in Buxton, Maine.

“We had a lot of great volunteers we considered this year for the award, but Captain Morrison stood out beyond them all. He has just completed a very extensive advanced life support-intermediate program which took 2-3 nights each week, he is always around the station fixing things and improving the station and is one of most active responders. This is in addition to having a full time job and a family. Captain Morrison is always willing to help out and a tremendous asset to our community. It was a privilege to present the award with his family present.” Chief Samantha J. Cole advised.

Also presented with a special award was EMT and Chaplain Ron German, who is a pastor of the North Lebanon Baptist Church. Ron has been a member since 1987 and has served in several officer positions throughout his tenure. “We always can count on Ron during tough calls to be there for the volunteers who sometimes take the calls real hard. It’s a small town, so everyone knows everyone and when we go to a traumatic call, Pastor German is there for us. He has been really busy over the past year and not only helps us, but has responded to neighboring towns as well to help families who experienced traumatic loss. Twenty-two years of very dedicated service is tremendous and we are so proud to have him on our team.” Chief Cole added.

Assistant Chief Jason A. Cole was presented with an award for 21 years of service to the community. Assistant Chief Cole started out as a junior firefighter at the age of 12 and worked his way up through the fire department to the rank of Captain. Jason then was promoted to Assistant Rescue Chief in 1999 and has served in that position for 10 years. Jason handles our public information programs and has created a new website and Facebook site, as well as doing frequent press releases on incidents in town.

A special award was noted for EMT Christopher Hart, who has been on military leave for about two years and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is scheduled to come home in March 2010 and will receive the award at that time. EMT Hart has been a member of the department for about 6 years.

All of the volunteers received special certificates thanking them for their service in 2009. Currently, the department has 47 active members.

In addition to the awards, several area businesses help make the event happen. Thanks to Welchs Hardware and Lumber, Seacoast Trail Riders, Potters Place Campground, Just Chevy Trucks, Go Deep Mud, Batchelder Tractor Sales, Skydive New England, Chandlers Septic Service, Prospect Hill Woodworking and Winery, Salmon Falls Campground, Above the Pines Restaurant, Gregory C. Thompson and Sons Electrical Contractors, School House Ice Cream, Gils Diner, Triple J Feed Store, Double G Ranch Horse Supply and Tack Shop, Somersworth Tax Service, Little Friends Childcare and Back to Basics.

Gift certificates were also handed out to the responders. Special thanks to Bonanza Restaurant of Sanford, Subway Restaurants of Rochester and Chipman’s English Fish and Chips of Rochester who donated gift certificates for every responder to their restaurants. Also donating gift certificates were Central Furniture of Sanford, Sanford Main Street Car Wash, Sanford Mainers, Portland Sea Dogs, Uncle Henry’s, Flat Rock Bridge Family Resort, TD Bank of Sanford, Key Bank of Springvale, Slims Mexican Restaurant of Rochester, Fat Tony’s of Rochester, Third Alarm Diner of Sanford, LJ’s Pizzeria of Sanford, Mel’s Raspberry Patch of Sanford, AMTRAK Downeaster, Marc Motors of Sanford, Trains Quick Stop of Lebanon and Moes Italian Shops of Sanford.

In total, about $2,000 worth of gift certificates were donated to the volunteers and their family thanks to the generosity of the area businesses.

“We cannot thank the area businesses that realize how crucial volunteers are to the community and what great work these men and women do.” Chief Samantha Cole added.

Making a special appearance was Santa Claus, who arrived via an ambulance to greet the children who attended the party. Santa had gifts for each child thanks to the rescue corporation. Children were able to sit on Santa’s lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas.

The highlight of the party was when a surprise guest showed up. The 2 year old near drowning victim “Joey” and his mom showed up to thank the rescue volunteers for their work. The crew that worked on the ambulance spent time with Joey and it was great to see that he is home and made a full recovery. The rescue will be hosting a special ceremony where plaques are awarded to the members who were instrumental in the positive outcome, including the State Trooper who arrived on scene and started CPR. Joey has been labeled the “Christmas Miracle” around town and it was great to see him doing so well!

“The nice thing about these celebrations is that we get to take a minute out of our busy schedules and just get together to share great times together. Because we do see each other often because of the amount of calls we have, the rescue is like a second family to all of us. This is a small token of appreciation for the volunteers who have donated about 13,000 manpower hours this year to the community. I am so fortunate to lead such a talented and dedicated group of people.” Chief Cole added.