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MINEOLA, N.Y. (April 7, 2025) – Do you know a hero? The American Red Cross on Long Island is inviting the public to nominate extraordinary individuals and compassionate leaders to be celebrated at the Long Island Heroes Celebration on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage in Farmingdale, N.Y.

“Every day, individuals in our community go above and beyond to help others,” said Jose Dominguez, CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island. “The Long Island Heroes Celebration is a wonderful opportunity to honor their selfless acts and inspire others to contribute to our mission. We encourage everyone to submit nominations and share the incredible stories of those who make a difference.”

The Red Cross is now accepting public nominations for individuals who have exemplified bravery, dedication and service to their community. Nominations are due by May 21, 2025.

Selected heroes will be honored at the 2025 Heroes Breakfast in October. Visit www.redcross.org/liheroes to nominate your hero and for more information about the Heroes Breakfast.

Hero Categories Include:

Community Impact Hero
The nominee(s) has displayed leadership and commitment to community by making a positive, noticeable and significant impact in our community. The nominee could have identified a community need and created a program or service or ensured access to essential services (could include food service, postal service, public transportation, janitorial service, etc.) or otherwise took action to address community needs.

Disaster Hero
The nominee(s) is an individual who has exhibited heroic efforts in any or all the areas of Disaster Relief, including preparedness, response or recovery during a natural disaster or emergency situation. The nominee may be involved in an ongoing commitment to a community that experienced a disaster through an act/s of kindness, courage, or unselfishness in response to an identified need. The eligible nominee must live or work on Long Island but could have been deployed elsewhere to assist individuals in need.

First Responder Hero
The nominee(s) is a professional, reserve or volunteer firefighter, police officer, law enforcement professional or medical personnel. The nominee could have been on- or off-duty at the time of the incident. The situation does not have to be associated with the use of skills directly related to their profession. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation or the nominee is involved in an ongoing commitment to the community through an act/s of kindness, courage, or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

Global Citizenship Hero
The nominee(s) has volunteered or worked to address the needs of the world’s vulnerable and unjustly treated populations by building safer, more resilient communities and providing needed relief. The eligible nominee must live or work on Long Island, but may have conducted their service locally, nationally and/or internationally to assist the individuals in need.

Military Hero
The nominee(s) is a U.S. service member (active, reserve, and guard), veteran, or military supporter or organization that serves the military community. The nominee could have been on- or off-duty at the time of the heroic event. The situation does not have to be associated with the use of skills directly related to his/her profession. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation or the nominee is involved in an ongoing commitment to the community through an act/s of kindness, courage, or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

Youth Hero
The nominee(s) must be 17 years old or under at the time of the incident or act. The eligible nominee has performed an act of heroism involving an unusual, significant or unexpected incident requiring a courageous or unselfish reaction in a crisis or time of need. The nominee can be involved in an on-going commitment to the community through an act/s of kindness, courage, or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us (@redcrossny) on Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.