American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri honors 'Super' Sam, Fulton couple

"Super" Sam Santhuff will be awarded the American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri Good Samaritan Youth Award today at the Capital Event Center in Jefferson City.
"Super" Sam Santhuff will be awarded the American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri Good Samaritan Youth Award today at the Capital Event Center in Jefferson City.

The American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri will honor "Super" Sam Santhuff and a Fulton couple as good samaritans during its Annual Heroes Breakfast today at the Capital West Event Center. David Griffith, executive director, said the selection committee voted unanimously for both.

The Red Cross will present the Good Samaritan Youth Award to the family of "Super" Sam, a 6-year-old Fulton boy who passed away in September after fighting cancer for 13 months and inspiring Callaway County and beyond throughout his journey. Griffith said Santhuff's legacy, which is perpetuated by the Super Sam Foundation, and his desire to help other children made choosing Santhuff for the award an easy decision.

"What an impact that man had at six years old. With all the hurdles he was facing, he looked forward rather than behind," Griffith said.

With the establishment of the Super Sam Foundation, Santhuff's family - mother, Cassie; father, Matt; and sister, Ava - among other supporters are fulfilling Sam's mission to help "all the kids" by raising money for research and providing comfort packs to children battling illnesses. Cassie Santhuff said when she received the news of Sam being awarded, she was in "complete shock."

She said she was told that one person had never received as many nominations as Sam.

It's been seven months since Cassie Santhuff lost her son.

"And people still remember him. I think that means the most," she said.

Cassie Santhuff said if she can imagine Sam's response to the award it would be best described as humbled, like her, but more excited about the potential of reaching out to more children.

"That makes me even more proud," Cassie Santhuff said. "It is fitting. He just wanted everyone to be nice and help one another. It was point blank and simple for him."

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Don and Michelle Smith, a Fulton couple, will receive the Good Samaritan Adult Award. The Smiths were on their way home from the hospital around 4 a.m. when they noticed a home on fire. They stopped at the residence and Michelle Smith started banging on doors and windows - waking up the seven-member family that was sleeping inside - as Don Smith called 911. The family had working smoke alarms, Griffith said, but they didn't go off.

"Nobody was moving and there were all types of cars there so I knew people were (inside the house)," Michelle Smith said.

The Smiths both expressed appreciation for the award, and said they did what they hoped someone else would do for them.

"We just thought anyone would have done it," Michelle Smith, a security aide at the Fulton State Hospital, said. "We didn't feel like big heroes."

Don Smith, who works at the A.P. Green Brick Plant, agreed.

"It was the right time, the right place," he said.