Nominations for the 5th Annual Orange County Heroes Luncheon due February 28
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 of Orange County asks you to nominate them to be recognized at its Orange County Heroes Luncheon.
Hosted by KTLA’s Doug Kolk, the Orange County Heroes Luncheon honors local individuals who have made a 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 8 at the Marconi Automotive Museum.
Last year’s inspiring honorees included a pair of search and rescue K-9s, local deputies who helped rescue a man after a cliff fall, a young boy who saved his family from a home fire, and local Marines who jumped into action to aid a badly injured motorcyclist.
The American Red Cross of 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 or organization 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 of the areas of disaster services. This includes 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 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 civilians/organizations that have made a significant impact on the military community.
-Youth Hero Award (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.
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 in the 12 months preceding the Heroes event (since May 2019).
-It is possible to nominate more than one person in a category for the same act.
-The 2020 Class of Heroes will be decided by the Heroes Selection Committee based on Hero merit, availability for filming and award acceptance, the degree to which their actions embody the spirit and the mission of the Red Cross and adherence to Red Cross fundamental principles.
-Nominees may meet the criteria for more than one category or moved to a different category at the discretion of the Selection Committee during deliberation.
How to nominate a hero
-Nominations are due by Friday, February 28.
-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
For more information about the Orange County Heroes Luncheon, contact 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.
