ROCHESTER, NY - (November 20, 2007) - The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation today recognized the work of Diana Pfersick of Rush, New York. Pfersick's story was chosen out of more than 1,300 nominations, and representatives from Dunkin' Donuts surprised her today with a gift card for 1 year of free coffee at any Dunkin' Donuts location, a value of $750.
The Foundation honored Pfersick as a hero for her years of service with the Rush Fire Department as an EMT and external firefighter. After moving to Rush in 1991, she joined the fire department and quickly earned her Critical Care certification to assist neighboring communities that had volunteer ambulances with Advance Life Support services. Today, Pfersick is the President and Ambulance Lieutenant of the Rush Volunteer Fire Department.
In her professional life, Pfersick brings more than 30 years of nursing experience to her work as a full-time Nurse Educator at Highland Hospital. Her nominator and daughter, Lisa Caldwell, said, "Her volunteer resume is quite possibly longer than her professional resume, and while I do not have a story of a single life saved, I can promise you that she has touched more lives and cared for more people than anyone could count." Caldwell credits her mother for inspiring her to join the Air Force Reserve as a Flight Medic.
ServingHeroes.com, launched last July, is an effort from the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation to recognize the people who serve our communities in times of crisis. The Foundation selects heroes based on the strength of a person's story and the ability of the story to inspire and encourage others to get involved. A hero is selected by the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation each month. As a thank you, all heroes receive a year's worth of Dunkin' Donuts or Baskin-Robbins products.
"Diana Pfersick is a perfect example of what Serving Heroes is all about," said Stephan Shelton, chairman of the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation. "Her efforts show that you don't have to be an emergency responder or put your life on the line to support those who serve our communities. Her story shows that anyone can make a difference if they make the decision to get involved."
