Dr. David Uhrik received the Medical Hero award for helping people who are uninsured and can't afford dental care. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- BIL BOWDEN )
Dr. David Uhrik, owner of West Side Dental in West Manchester Township, sees human beings, not insurance policies and check numbers, he said.

Many of his patients are uninsured and can't afford to pay for dental care.

Recently, he treated a disabled U.S. Iraq War veteran for free and also offered to care for the soldier's family.

He also treated residents who lost their homes in the Chestnut Street fire in York.

On Thursday, Uhrik and others were recognized at the 7th annual American Red Cross Heroes of York and Adams Counties Awards at the Holiday Inn in West Manchester Township.

Hundreds of people were at the event, which was held during breakfast and featured videos of the heroes describing situations that led them to be nominated for the awards.

Uhrik said his tiny mother, a secretary who worked long hours to provide for him and his brother, was his inspiration to help others.

"To try to find a way that I could repay her," he said during a video interview that was shown at the event.

Other award recipients included York Area Regional Police Officer Tobin L. Zech, who earlier this year responded to a fire in Red Lion that would claim four homes. During the blaze -- which was so intense it blew out windows -- Zech entered the burning buildings and helped rescue nearly 30 dogs and cats.

He said he made the rescue because he knew the pets' owners considered them to be family.

Joanne Borders received the Community Impact Hero award for working to help improve the quality of life for others while she battles ovarian cancer.

"It's a challenge and it's a change . . . You don't take anything for granted," she said of fighting the disease but still wanting to help others. "You can volunteer . . . touch a lot of lives."

William V. "Bill" Frank, a Korean War veteran, was honored for voluntarily driving his disabled fellow veterans to medical appointments.

Other heroes honored

  • Cheryl Cobb -- 911 Dispatcher: for her role in helping a spouse safely deliver a baby in a vehicle.

  • Suzanne Murray -- Animal Rescue: for her involvement with the East Coast Exotic Animal Rescue.

  • Jeff Hoffman -- Adult Good Samaritan: for his assistance and support of individuals stricken with cancer and their families.

  • Allen Baldwin -- Firefighter: for his outstanding dedication as a volunteer firefighter.

  • Elizabeth Stoltz -- Youth Good Samaritan: for her dedication to helping children overcome malnutrition in Africa.

  • Stan Brown, Jeff Folkenroth and Laura MacDonald -- Lifesaving Award of Merit: for saving the life of an individual in cardiac arrest by using Red Cross training and an AED.

  • York Area United Fire & Rescue Captain Justin Hovis, Kimberly Grim, Kevin Keough, Jessica Hovis and George Mount -- Lifesaving Award of Merit for the Professional Responder: for using Red Cross training in saving the life of a person after an industrial accident.

  • Bobby Brunner; Ken Dutrow; Letha Parthree; Philip Covert and Aimee McCullough/Asbury United Methodist Church; Richard Miller/YWCA; Katie Swiglo and Barbara Tompkins/First Church of Christ Scientist; Rebekah Sweeney/U-Stor-It -- Good Neighbor Award: for assisting area residents after a series of house fires.