The Red Cross Central Valley Heroes Awards is a celebration honoring local heroes for courage, compassion and leadership!
The American Red Cross of the Central Valley honors individuals for acts of great bravery, dedication and service to the community at our Central Valley Heroes Awards.
In 2025, heroes will be honored in the following categories:
For more event information, including details about sponsorships and ticket sales, please contact the team at cencalevents@redcross.org
To register, please enter the number of attendees in the box next to the Register field. Please also consider a donation to help us fulfill the Red Cross mission. No act of generosity is too small to make a difference.
Nomination Guidelines and Award Requirements
Honorees will be selected by a committee of local community leaders based on the degree to which their actions uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on our region. Award decisions are based on the information provided by the nominator, so please be detailed and include as much supporting material as possible.
As the community leader in emergency preparedness, prevention and response, the American Red Cross honors individuals whose extraordinary acts of courage and kindness make them local heroes.
Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of the Central Valley.
Good Samaritan Hero: The nominee has performed an act of heroism involving an unusual, significant, or unexpected incident requiring a courageous or unselfish reaction in a time of need that ultimately was resolved in the saving of another person's life.
Youth Hero: Presented to a youth in the community who has demonstrated courage, initiative and/or compassion in the spirit of the American Red Cross in service to another individual or the welfare of the region.
Lifesaving Rescue Hero: Presented to a person that has demonstrated outstanding heroism, skill, commitment or resourcefulness in an attempt to save one or more lives by utilizing skills aligned with those taught in American Red Cross programs such as CPR/AED/First Aid or other health and preparedness training.
First Responder Hero: Presented to a professional or volunteer serving as a law enforcement official, firefighter, or search and rescue. This award is presented to a person or persons who has exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency, on or off-duty, through acts of courage or selflessness.
Military Hero: Presented 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 or civilian community. This award may be presented posthumously and may also be awarded to ROTC members.
Community Impact Hero: The nominee has displayed leadership and commitment to the community by making a positive, noticeable, and significant impact in our community. The nominee has identified a community need and created a program or service or ensured access to essential services (could include food service, postal service, public transportation, janitorial service, etc.) or otherwise took action to address community needs.
Global Citizenship Hero: The nominee has volunteered or worked to address the needs of the world’s vulnerable and unjustly treated populations by building safer, more resilient communities and providing needed relief. The eligible nominee must live or work in one of the 5 counties within the Central Valley Chapter, but may have conducted their service locally, nationally and/or internationally to assist individuals in need.
Healthcare Hero: PThe nominee is a licensed and practicing medical professional, medical student or retired medical professional. The nominee could have been on- or off-duty at the time of the incident. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation, ongoing medical need, or ongoing commitment to the community through an act/s of kindness, courage, or unselfishness in response to an identified need.
Education Hero: The nominee has displayed leadership and commitment to their community by making a positive and significant impact, and through their efforts has exhibited heroic efforts to increase access to education. This nominee(s) could be, but not limited to, a practicing teacher, school administrator, day care provider or student organization.
Clara Barton Humanitarian Hero: Presented to a community member whose service and dedication to their community exemplifies the spirit of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. In memoriam, this award is granted every year to honor the late Clara Barton’s legacy of humanitarian service.