Proud Teen Nominates Dad As September’s Hometown Hero (VIDEO)

15-year-old Aiden from Guilderland wrote into WGNA asking that his father, Matthew, be our Hometown Hero for Septemeber.  We were happy to call and speak with Matthew on his day off to tell him the great news, which he humbly accepted.

Matthew Hanzalik is a police officer in Guilderland who spends countless hours keeping us safe on the streets and educated in our schools. He regularly visits the Guilderland central school district teaching grades 5-8 about the dangers of drugs and alcohol with the D.A.R.E. program. As a result, Officer Hanzalik is teaching kids how to make the right decisions in life. According to his son, he’s always giving back to the community in many different ways.  Listen to the phone call Brian and Chrissy from GNA made to Officer Hanzalik honoring him with the Hero status that he so richly deserves.  Special shout-out to his son Aiden who made his father very proud by writing into GNA and nominating his pops!  

All throughout 2019, we will be recognizing one “hero” per month based on their inspirational feats, work helping their neighbors, and everyday passion.

Click here to see how you can nominate a hero for the month of October, and stay tuned for our special way of saying thanks below.

County Waste has partnered with us to honor those in our communities who are truly making a difference.