Penn East Federal Credit Union announced Jesse Young, a paramedic with PA Ambulance, as the recipient of the first-ever Milinda Project First Responder Award. Young, a 21-year first responder veteran, was selected from 38 nominees across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne and Wyoming counties in recognition of his commitment to saving lives and serving the community. The Milinda Project was launched in April 2024 in memory of Milinda Catalano, a Penn East FCU employee, and her late husband, Gus Catalano, a dedicated paramedic. This initiative first raised $4,000 for local no-kill animal shelters before expanding to recognize first responders, a cause deeply personal to both Milinda and Gus.