Cranberry Twp. recognizes local lifeguards for their lifesaving efforts
There was plenty of holiday cheer at the Cranberry Township Supervisors meeting on Thursday, July 27, as lifeguards from the Cranberry Community Waterpark took center stage.
Supervisor Chairman Mike Manipole welcomed the lifeguards with an out-of-season “Merry Christmas.” The reason for the five-month-early holiday greeting was the quick actions lifeguards took to save a 12-year-old boy from drowning.
“You gave him the gift of Christmas,” Manipole said. “That is probably one of the most greatest honor or gift anyone can give somebody. The gift of life.”
On June 19, the members of the Cranberry Community Waterpark lifeguards saved a 12-year-old from drowning. For their act of heroism, the staff on-duty received a standing ovation, a certificate from the township and a heaps of praise for their heroics during the board of supervisors meeting.
“Ultimately, no matter what you have in your lifetime or what goes on in your lifetime,” Manipole said. “This is a huge feather in your cap as you did as a youngster.”
Garret Shreve, of Allison Park, was one of the staff that was on duty the day the near-drowning occurred who was recognized during the meeting.
“I’m really proud of the response that our team,” Shreve said. “It was really fast. You train for these things and hope that everything goes as planned.”
Handing out the certificates was Parks and Recreation Program manager Dave Hutner, who oversees the staff at the pool.
“I’m proud,” Hutner said. “You know what, that’s understatement of how I feel about this entire team, not just the ones that were honored tonight but all of them. They do this every single day during the summer.”
