The American Red Cross invites people to nominate local heroes to be honored at the annual Red Cross Inland Empire Heroes Awards program March 8 at the Ontario Convention Center.
“If you know an ‘ordinary’ person with extraordinary courage, someone who has saved a life, helped a neighbor in need or made an impact in Riverside or San Bernardino counties, we encourage you to nominate them to be recognized,” Lois Beckman, executive director of the Red Cross of Riverside County, said in a news release.
“Each day across the Inland Empire, there are heroes helping neighbors in need, and making a difference in our communities,” Yevette Baysinger, executive director of the Red Cross of San Bernardino County, said in the news release. “We need the public’s help so we can discover and honor these hometown heroes. It’s our way of thanking people for their positive contributions across our region.”
Nominations may be made in any of eight categories and are due by Dec. 16.
To submit a nomination online, go to redcross.org/IEHeroes. The nomination form may also be downloaded, filled in and emailed to socalevents@redcross.org or mailed, with any supporting materials, to American Red Cross, Attn: Karyssa Heggie, 600 Parkcenter Dive, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Following are the heroes awards categories.
• Animal Welfare Hero: This award goes to an animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, to a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation, to an animal that is making a difference to impact someone’s life or to a person who cares for animals.
• Corporate Hero: This award goes to a business or organization that has contributed significantly to the American Red Cross mission and/or made a positive impact in the community.
• Disaster Services Hero: This award goes to a person or an organization that has exhibited heroic efforts in any or all of the areas of disaster services, including preparedness, response or recovery during a natural disaster or emergency situation through mission-driven response assistance to people in need.
• First Responder Hero: This award goes to a professional or volunteer serving as a law enforcement official, firefighter, first responder or responder in the medical or health-care field. The award is presented to one or more people who have exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency, on or off duty, through acts of courage or selflessness.
• Gift of Life Hero: This award goes to an individual or group supporting the mission of the American Red Cross through blood or platelet donations or inspiring others to give blood or platelets.
• Good Samaritan Hero: This award goes to a person who has demonstrated outstanding heroism, skill, commitment or resourcefulness in an attempt to save one or more lives by using skills aligned with those taught in American Red Cross programs such as CPR/AED/first aid or other health and preparedness training.
• Service to the Armed Forces Hero: This award goes to a member of the armed forces (active or veteran, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose heroic action(s) demonstrated exceptional courage or improved the welfare of the military community. This award may be presented posthumously and may also be awarded to ROTC members or to civilians or organizations that have made a significant impact on the military community.
• Youth Hero: This award goes to someone 18 or younger who has demonstrated courage, initiative and/or compassion in the spirit of the American Red Cross in service to another person or the welfare of the region.
For information, go to redcross.org/IEHeroes, email socalevents@redcross.org or call 949-226-2348.