CONTACT: media.gny@redcross.org | 646-627-9328

MINEOLA, N.Y. (April 28, 2026) – 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 Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Heritage Club at Bethpage in Farmingdale, N.Y.  The co-chairs of the event are Co-Chairs are Ryan Attard (Haugland Group LLC) and Jim Quent (Statewide Public Affairs).

“Acts of kindness, courage and service happen every day in our community,” said Jose Dominguez, CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island. “The Long Island Heroes Celebration gives us the chance to honor those who go above and beyond for others and to inspire even more people to get involved in our mission. We invite everyone to nominate a hero and share the powerful stories of impact happening all around us.”

The Red Cross is now accepting public nominations for individuals who live or work on Long Island and who have exemplified bravery, dedication and service to their community. Nominations are due by June 7, 2026.

Selected heroes will be honored at the 2026 Heroes Celebration in October. Visit www.redcross.org/liheroes to nominate your hero and for more information.

Hero Categories Include:

Community Impact Hero
The nominee(s) is an individual or group who displayed leadership and commitment to making a positive, noticeable and significant impact by building safer, more resilient communities or identifying a community need and creating a program or service to that need. The eligible nominee may have conducted their service locally, nationally and/or internationally to assist the individuals in need.

Help Can’t Wait Hero
The nominee(s) is an individual who has exhibited heroic efforts amidst a natural disaster or emergency situation such as a home fire, flash flood, or other life-threatening circumstance. This hero will have acted quickly and beyond what an ordinary bystander would be expected to do, and their actions will have contributed to the saving of another life.

First Responder Hero
The nominee(s) is a professional, reserve or volunteer firefighter, police officer, law enforcement professional or EMT/EMS/ambulance corps. The nominee could have been on- or off-duty during the incident and 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 or is involved in an ongoing commitment to the community in response to an identified need.

Military Hero
The nominee(s) is a U.S. service member (active, reserve, and guard), veteran, or someone who actively supports the military and/or veteran community whether individually or with an organization. The nominee may have exhibited heroism in response to an emergency situation (either on- or off- duty), used their military experience to address a community need, or has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the military or veteran community.

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(s) of kindness, courage, or unselfishness involving an unusual, significant or unexpected incident requiring action in a crisis or time of need.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Visionary Sponsor

• Posillico Inc.

Match Sponsors

• Champion Painting and Environmental Services
• Rivkin Radler

You can get more information about our Sponsor Opportunities and Tickets at https://liheroes26.givesmart.com

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.