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

Orange County, CALIF. — February 9, 2023 — 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. The event will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

“We’re asking the public to nominate community heroes – people or organizations making a positive impact in Orange County. The annual Orange County Heroes Awards event is our way of thanking local heroes for their contributions across our region,” says Becky Firey, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Orange County.

Nominations are being accepted in the following eight 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 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.
  

Nominations are due by March 3, 2023. Learn more and nominate your hero online at redcross.org/OCHeroes.
 

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 2022.
• It is possible to have more than one person awarded in a category for the same act.
• The 2023 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.

For more information or to nominate a hero, please visit redcross.org/OCHeroes or contact Events Specialist Karyssa Heggie at 949-226-2348 or socalevents@redcross.org.

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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