Media Contact:
Brianna Kelly, Regional Communications Manager
brianna.kelly@redcross.org
 

Nominations due by December 15, 2023
 

Riverside, Calif. (November 9, 2023) – The local American Red Cross is looking for heroes, and they need your help. If you know someone who has saved a life, helped a neighbor in need, or made a difference in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties, the Red Cross asks you to nominate them for its Annual Inland Empire Heroes Awards, to be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Ontario Convention Center.

“The Inland Empire is home to many incredible individuals making a positive impact on our communities,” said Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Riverside County. “If you know an ‘ordinary’ person with extraordinary courage, we encourage you to nominate them to be recognized at our Inland Empire Heroes Awards.”

The Annual Inland Empire Heroes Awards honors those who make an impact through their brave and compassionate actions and who demonstrate a commitment to creating safer, stronger communities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Since the event’s inception, the Red Cross has honored dozens of local heroes from across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties – including good Samaritans, service members,  first responders, animal welfare heroes, young humanitarians, philanthropic businesses and more.

Nominate a hero in the following categories:

• Animal Welfare Hero: Presented 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 an individual that cares for animals.
• Corporate Hero: A business or organization that has contributed significantly to the American Red Cross mission and/or made a positive impact in our community.
• Disaster Services Hero: An individual 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: Presented to a professional or volunteer serving as a law enforcement official, firefighter, first responder or responder in the medical or healthcare field. 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.
• Gift of Life Hero: An individual or group that supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross through blood or platelet donations or inspiring others to give blood or platelets.
• Good Samaritan Hero: Presented to a person that has demonstrated outstanding heroism, skill, commitment, or resourcefulness in 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.
• Service to the Armed Forces 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 community. This award may be presented posthumously and may also be awarded to ROTC members or to civilians/organizations that have made a significant impact on the military community.
• Youth Hero (age 18 or younger): 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.
   

“At the 2024 Inland Empire Heroes Awards luncheon, local heroes will be celebrated for acts of heroism and humanitarian service and attendees can hear moving stories of courage, compassion, and community impact,” says Yevette Baysinger, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of San Bernardino County. “We hope to receive many hero nominations this year from across the Inland Empire.”
 

HOW TO NOMINATE A HERO

Nominations are due by December 15, 2023

Submit via Online Nomination Form: redcross.org/IEHeroes

Submit via Email: Download the nomination form at redcross.org/IEHeroes and email completed nomination form to socalevents@redcross.org.

Submit via Mail: Download the nomination form at redcross.org/IEHeroes and mail completed nomination form and any supporting materials to:

American Red Cross
Attn: Karyssa Heggie
600 Parkcenter Dr.,
Santa Ana, CA 92705

For more information, please visit redcross.org/IEHeroes, email socalevents@redcross.org or call Events Specialist Karyssa Heggie at 949-226-2348.

About the American Red Cross Southern California Region:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international services programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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