YOU’RE BUSS-TED, RAY! Master of ceremonies Regis Philbin plants a great big kiss on Police Commissioner Ray Kelly last night at the Liberty Medals reception. (
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Nine outstanding neighbors whose caring and spunk make us proud to be New Yorkers were honored last night at the 11th annual New York Post Liberty Medal Awards.
Regis Philbin, who emceed the awards for the 10th straight year, presided at the ceremony at the Midtown headquarters of News Corporation, which owns The Post.
“I really do enjoy coming back here,’’ he said. “I love meeting these people who inspire others to do something good for all of us.’’
Alyssa Innamorato, 13, a Long Islander who won the Young Heart medal for her enthusiastic efforts to raise funds and awareness for Sunrise Day Camp, a free summer day camp for children with cancer, urged kids to pitch in and help worthy causes because “there are always people who have less than you.’’
Steve St. Bernard, a city bus driver who broke the fall of a 7-year-old girl who toppled off an air conditioner three stories up was ecstatic about being saluted with the Courage award.
“I’m sitting here smiling because I’m excited that I won,’’ said St. Bernard, who tore a tendon in his left bicep during the rescue, yet declares, “I would do it again without a moment’s hesitation.’’
PHOTOS: NEW YORK POST LIBERTY MEDAL AWARDS
Presenters included Rosanna Scotto and Dave Price, co-anchors of WNYW/Fox5’s “Good Day New York.” Fox 5 is a co-sponsor of the awards.
The Post began the Liberty Medals program after 9/11 to pay tribute to those who stepped forward after the attacks and went out of their way to benefit others with their empathy, valor and can-do creativity.
A panel of distinguished New Yorkers selected the winners from finalists in eight categories.
Valeriya Beloshkurenko, who moved here from her native Ukraine 23 years ago, was honored for her work at the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty helping low-income seniors.
She hopes winning the Freedom medal will spotlight “the needs of elderly people who don’t have anyone to help them.’’
Christopher Rosa, CUNY’s assistant dean for student affairs, who strives to establish a level playing field for the disabled, nabbed the Educator medal.
“It’s humbling to receive recognition for work on behalf of students who have already given me so much,’’ said Rosa, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.
Leadership medal winner Sharon Content, who started Children of Promise, NYC to meet the needs of kids with a parent in prison, said she accepted on behalf of “the young people we serve, as well as for the staff and the team of people who work with them.’’
Elizabeth and Stephen Alderman — who, in memory of their son killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11, launched the Peter C. Alderman Foundation to help traumatized victims of terrorism around the world — believe their Lifetime Achievement awards aid their goal.
“It’s a banner day for mental health,’’ said Dr. Alderman. “The first step to providing quality care is to raise public awareness.’’
The Finest medal, presented by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, went to Sgt. Kevin Brennan, who took a bullet in the head at point-blank range Jan. 31.
Brennan, who is on sick leave, says he’s looking forward to returning to work.
“I enjoy helping people,” he said. “I take pride in trying to make New York a safer place.’’
FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano presented the Bravest award to firefighter Sean Heeran, who, while on an aerial ladder, reacted instantly and caught a man who jumped from a third- floor window.
Heeran insisted he’s no hero, because “there are firefighters throughout the city doing things like that every day.’’
The father of two. a former equities trader, has said that after his brother, also a trader, was killed in the 9/11 attacks, “my mentality on life kind of changed.’’ He became a firefighter in December 2003.
Heeran said being one of the Bravest is “the greatest job in the world.’’
Each winner receives a medal engraved with Lady Liberty’s torch and specially designed for The Post by New York graphic artist Milton Glaser, who created the iconic “I ♥ New York’’ logo.
Additional reporting by Kathryn Cusma