EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Jan. 30, 2025) – The American Red Cross Northwest Wisconsin Chapter is pleased to announce the local heroes who will be recognized at the 2025 Northwest Wisconsin Heroes Breakfast on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:45 a.m. at the Florian Gardens Conference Center, located at 2340 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire.

At the Red Cross, we are continuously inspired by the exceptional actions of everyday heroes. The annual Heroes Breakfast honors the Red Cross’s humanitarian mission and celebrates the local individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond to save a life or make our community better. We will recognize those whose bravery, dedication, and humanitarian efforts create a meaningful, positive impact.

“It is a privilege to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of these community members who have gone above and beyond to support those in need,” said MJ Thomsen, Executive Director of the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter. “The 21st annual Northwest Wisconsin Heroes Breakfast celebrates the lasting impact local residents have made on our community over the years. Their generosity, compassion, and selfless dedication are a true reflection of the Red Cross mission – which is to prevent and alleviate human suffering.”

The Heroes Breakfast also serves as the annual fundraising event to support programs and services provided by the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter of the Red Cross.

Chosen across a handful of categories, honorees are selected based on the degree to which their actions uphold the values of the Red Cross humanitarian mission and leave a lasting and positive impact on our communities.
 

The 2025 Northwest Wisconsin Heroes are:
 

Blood Services (From the Heart) Heroes:

• Jerry and Kim Porter, Colfax (Dunn County)
   

Community Impact Hero:

• Mosaic Technologies, Cameron (Barron County)
   

Emergency Response Heroes:

• Deputy Steven Schlewitz, Eau Claire (Eau Claire County)
• Captain Larry Wertz, Mondovi (Eau Claire County)
• Kasondra (Sondra) Mero, Eau Claire (Eau Claire County)
• Amanda Porier, Bloomer (Chippewa County)
  
  

Good Samaritan Hero:

• Julie Hasenberg, Chippewa Falls (Chippewa County)
   

Hero of a Lifetime:

• Tom Larson, Chippewa Falls (Chippewa County)
   

Military Hero:

• John Kinville, Chippewa Falls (Chippewa County)
   

Youth & Young Adult Heroes:

• Henry Meek, Black River Falls (Jackson County)
• Owen Zenz, Black River Falls (Jackson County)
• Bella Rowan, Black River Falls (Jackson County)

Premier event sponsors include Mayo Clinic, Ayres Associates, Xcel Energy, Mrs. Julie Garber in Memory of Dr. Brad Garber, WQOW News-18 and EZ New Media. This year’s individual Heroes sponsors are Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire, HOMETECH by Mosaic, Leinenkugels, OakLeaf Surgical Hospital, Royal Credit Union, Security Financial Bank and WESTconsin Credit Union. Additional support sponsors include our Courage in Action sponsors Chippewa Valley Technical College, Ruder Ware and Trust Point, Inc. And our 2025 Table sponsors are Market & Johnson, TTM Technologies, US Bank, Weld Riley, Wipfli, Nicolet Bank and Northwestern Bank.

Reserve your seat:

To reserve your seat for this event, click here. Reservations for this event are $50, and all proceeds support the Red Cross of Northwest Wisconsin.

For more information, email MaryJane.Thomsen@redcross.org.

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 on social media.