SANTA ANA Calif., (January 15, 2019) – 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 Orange County? If you know a local hero, the American Red Cross Serving Orange County asks you to nominate them for the 4th Annual Orange County Heroes Luncheon!

The Orange County Heroes Luncheon, hosted by KTLA’s Doug Kolk, honors local individuals who have made a personal commitment to creating safer and stronger communities and providing help when disaster strikes - in Orange County and beyond. Award recipients will be honored at the event on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Hotel Irvine.

“Orange County is home to many whose deeds of courage often go unnoticed,” said Linda Voss, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region. “We need the public’s help to identify everyday heroes in our community who we can recognize for their contributions.”

The American Red Cross Serving Orange County is accepting nominations 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.
• Community 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Service to the Armed Forces Hero: Presented to a member of the armed forces (active or retired, 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 civilians/organizations that have made a significant impact on the military community.
• Water Rescue Hero: Presented to a lifeguard, first responder or ordinary citizen whose quick-thinking actions prevented a serious water-related injury or drowning.
• 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.

Heroes are nominated by the public and are chosen by an awards selection committee, who select honorees based on the degree to which their actions embody the spirit and the mission of the Red Cross. 

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 for more than one year or have occurred 12 months preceding the Heroes event.
• All nominees must be able to attend the Heroes Luncheon and must be willing to participate in video interviews and photographs for media and promotional reasons (certain exceptions apply).

HOW TO NOMINATE A HERO

• Nominations are due by Friday, February 15, 2019.
• 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 Events.DTS@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: Heroes Nomination
      600 Parkcenter Dr.
      Santa Ana, CA 92705
  
  

You can find the stories of past winners on YouTube here. For more information about the Orange County Heroes Luncheon, please contact us at Events.DTS@redcross.org or (714) 481- 4444. Join the conversation online and get event updates by following the local Red Cross at @RedCrossDTS on Facebook and Twitter and using the hashtag #OCHeroesLuncheon.

Learn more about the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region, which serves Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, at redcross.org/dts.  

About the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea 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 American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit redcross.org/dts or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossDTS or Facebook at facebook.com/RedCrossDTS. 

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