Red Cross seeks nominations to honor local heroes

The American Red Cross of Illinois is accepting nominations to honor exceptional individuals from our community. These may be everyday heroes who selflessly put the well-being of others before their own or people who have demonstrated heroism through extraordinary acts of courage or kindness. Nominate your hero at redcross.org/hero by Dec. 31.

“In 2020, our resiliency has been put to the test by the public health crisis, and each one of us has had to adjust to a new normal. However, it is in times like these that we see the best of humanity: Medical professionals putting their lives on the line to nurture the sick; first responders coming to the aid of those in need; workers at our local supermarkets keeping shelves stocked to ensure we have food to put on the table for our families,” said Celena Roldan, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois. “We want to hear about these heroes in your life, who have made these challenging times of 2020 more bearable for you, your family and your community.”

The heroic act must have taken place during the 2020 calendar year or be ongoing. Candidates from Illinois must live or work in one of the following counties: Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Christian, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago or Woodford.

Nominations are being accepted in the following 12 categories:

• Blood services hero: Nominees can be individuals or organizations that act as activists for the blood community at large and/or are involved in activities that create awareness of the importance of blood donation in the community or help to ensure a sufficient and safe blood supply is available to those in need.

• Disaster services hero: Nominees must be individuals who have exhibited heroic efforts in any or all of the areas of disaster services, including preparedness, response or recovery, during a natural disaster or emergency through mission-driven response assistance to people in need. Nominees have exhibited heroism in response to an emergency situation or be involved in an ongoing commitment to a community that experienced a disaster through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

• Education hero: Nominees must have displayed leadership and commitment to their community by making a positive and significant impact and through their efforts have exhibited heroic efforts to increase access to education during COVID-19. Nominees for this category could be are but not limited to practicing teachers, school administrators, day care providers or student organizations.

• Essential services hero: Nominees must have served in an essential services role or ensured access to essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some examples could include but are not limited to public transportation operators, food services employees, postal and shipping services or critical trades such as plumbing, electricians and janitorial staff.

• Firefighter hero: Nominees must be professional, reserve or volunteer firefighters or medical personnel related to the dispatch operations of a fire department. An individual may be eligible regardless of whether they were on- or off-duty at the time of the incident. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation or is involved in an ongoing commitment to the community through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

• Global citizenship hero: Nominees must have 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. Eligible nominees must be from the American Red Cross of Illinois area but may have conducted their service locally, nationally or internationally to assist the individuals in need.

• Health care hero: Nominees must be licensed and practicing medical professionals, medical students or retired medical professionals. An individual may be eligible regardless of whether they were on- or off-duty at the time of the incident. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation; ongoing medical need, including COVID-19; or ongoing commitment to the community through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

• Law enforcement hero: Nominees must be professional police officers or related law enforcement officials. An individual may be eligible regardless of whether they were on- or off-duty at the time of the incident. The nominee either exhibited heroism in their response to an emergency situation or is involved in an ongoing situation in which a commitment is made to the community through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

• Lifesaving rescue hero: Nominees must have performed an act of heroism involving an unusual, significant or unexpected incident requiring a courageous or unselfish reaction in a time of need that ultimately was resolved in the saving of another person’s life.

• Military hero: Nominees must be U.S. service members (active duty and/or reserve components), veterans, military supporters or organizations that serve the military community. An individual may be eligible regardless of whether they were 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 is involved in an ongoing commitment to the community through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.

• Social justice impact hero: Nominees must have displayed leadership and commitment to their community by recognizing a need and making a positive and significant impact through their efforts to propel social change. The nominee values human rights and the dignity of all.

• Youth hero: Nominees must be 17 years old or younger at the time of the incident or act. Eligible nominees have 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. Nominees may be involved in an ongoing commitment to the community through acts of kindness, courage or unselfishness in response to an identified need.