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

Nominations for the Orange County Heroes Awards due Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Orange County, CALIF. —  February 9, 2022 — The American Red Cross of Orange County is looking for local heroes. 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 Orange County, nominate them to be honored as a hero at the upcoming Orange County Heroes Awards event. The event will take place on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

“Each day, individuals across Orange County are helping neighbors in need, strengthening the community, and changing lives,” says Becky Firey, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Orange County. “There are many unsung heroes among us, but 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 Orange County.”   

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.
  
  

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS

• All nominees must work or reside in Orange County. The heroic act may have occurred elsewhere.
• The heroic act must be either an ongoing commitment to the community or must have occurred in 2021.
• It is possible to have more than one person awarded in a category for the same act.
• The 2022 Class of Heroes will be selected by the Heroes Selection Committee.
• Nominees may meet the criteria for more than one category or be moved to a different category at the discretion of the Selection Committee during deliberation.
   

HOW TO NOMINATE A HERO

Nominations are due by Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

• Submit via Online Nomination Form: redcross.org/ocheroes
• Submit via Email: Download the nomination form at redcross.org/ocheroes and email completed nomination form to socalevents@redcross.org.
• Submit via Mail: Download the nomination form at redcross.org/ocheroes 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/ocheroes, email socalevents@redcross.org or call 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 through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. 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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