Calling all heroes! Do you know an “ordinary” person with extraordinary courage? Someone who has saved a life, helped a neighbor in need, or made a difference in their community?

The American Red Cross Serving Orange County is looking for local heroes to recognize at their annual Orange County Heroes Awards Luncheon at Hotel Irvine on May 3, 2017.

The Heroes Luncheon raises public awareness of local heroes who carry out the mission of the Red Cross every day. The awards ceremony gives the community an opportunity to honor local individuals who have made a personal commitment to creating safer and stronger communities and providing help when disaster strikes.

“Every day, we are surrounded by heroes - ordinary people with extraordinary courage. We live amongst those who have saved lives, helped neighbors in need, and who have made a lasting difference in their communities,” said Linda Voss, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region. “As we celebrate 100 years of service, we recognize this area is home to many whose deeds of courage and humanitarian service are truly selfless - yet many of these deeds go unnoticed. That is, until now. It’s all about celebrating people who have made Orange County a better place.”

The American Red Cross serving Orange County is now accepting nominations for the following categories:

• LIFE SAVING AWARD: A person or an organization that has demonstrated outstanding and unusual heroism, skill, commitment or resourcefulness in an attempt to save one or more lives.
• ANIMAL WELFARE AWARD: An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.
• COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD: A local organization that has administered exceptional safety and preparedness measures to prepare staff, customers and/or community members for emergencies.
• FIRST RESPONDER AWARD: A professional rescuer or team of rescuers (law enforcement, EMS personnel, etc.) whose life saving action(s) went beyond the scope of his or her job to help another in critical need.
• MILITARY AWARD: A member or members of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or noncommissioned) whose life saving action(s) went beyond the scope of his/her job to help another in critical need or improve the welfare of the military community.
• YOUTH AWARD: A youth (age 17 and under) who has gone to the aid of those in need and/or has helped to improve the welfare of their community.
• HUMANITARIAN AWARD: A person or group of people who has gone to the aid of those in need, used life-saving action(s) to aid another person, or has helped to improve the welfare of a community in a humanitarian manner locally, nationally or internationally.
• BLOOD SERVICES AWARD: A person or group of people who has donated blood and/or platelets or advocated for blood donation to help save lives locally, nationally or internationally.

All nomination forms must be received no later than March 10, 2017. If you know someone deserving of recognition, simply submit your nomination online or via mail or email.