Kenneth Porter lauded as Hampton Roads Hero
Published 1:05 pm Saturday, March 7, 2020
- At far left is Louis Morris of the Red Cross Board of Directors presenting the award to Kenneth G. Porter, who is accompanied by his wife, Faye, and Jenny Lester, Regional Philanthropy Officer of the Virginia Red Cross. -- Submitted Virginia Red Cross
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COURTLAND
At a luncheon in Norfolk on Feb. 25, Southampton County resident Kenneth G. Porter was among 11 residents of the Hampton Roads region to be honored as a hero by the American Red Cross. Porter was recognized for his long-time blood donations. He received the “Blood Donor Hero” Award.
Porter started giving blood in 1962 while he was in the Army and has been giving ever since. His total to date is 82.5 gallons; thousands of people have been helped by him.
“The recognition made me feel happy,” Porter said. “And I shed some tears. I never did it for recognition.”
Over the years, Porter has given blood at blood drives held in Franklin. Now, he and his wife, Faye, travel from Courtland to Norfolk at least 20 times per year so he can do special donations called “double reds.”
Other Hampton Roads area heroes recognized were:
Wes Arendt, for saving four people from drowning.
Sarah Allen and Jordan Riedel, for organizing blood drives.
Destiny Jones, for being a good Samaritan.
Charlotte Tyeryar, for being a community impact hero.
Mary Morton, first responder hero.
New Creation United Methodist Church, for organizing blood drives.
Kristopher Hudgens and Anthony Young, life-saving heroes.
Tiffany McGee, Humanitarian hero.
