February 6, 2009

Who’s Your Hero? American Red Cross Silicon Valley seeks nominations for 3rd Annual Heroes Breakfast

American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter is calling on all local residents, companies and organizations to nominate individuals, who reside or work in Santa Clara County and whose extraordinary acts of courage or kindness make them a hero to be honored at the 3rd Annual Heroes Breakfast: Everyday People. Real Heroes. on Friday, May 8, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Santa Clara. The deadline to submit nominations is March 6, 2009.

“A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they care for those around them. Real heroes are ordinary people whose actions demonstrate the potential that is in all of us. This year we are excited to present two new awards in which I know the competition is going to be fierce,” said Barb Larson, CEO of American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter.

Ms. Larson continued, “Most Prepared City will go to the Santa Clara County City that has gone to extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of its residents in a time of disaster and Most Prepared Company will be given to a company headquartered in Santa Clara County that has gone above and beyond to incorporate Disaster Preparedness and Employee Safety in its core mission and values.”

Nominations for the heroic acts of local residents that took place between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2008 are being accepted in the following categories in addition to the two listed above:

1. Animal Rescue Hero - An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.

2. Education Hero - An adult or youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others in a school or other educational setting.

3. Good Samaritan - Adult (21 years old and up) - An adult who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

4. Good Samaritan - Youth (Under the age of 21) - A youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

5. Law Enforcement / Professional Rescuer Hero - A professional law enforcement officer or emergency responders (Sheriff, Police, FBI, Highway Patrol, Fire, etc.) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

6. Medical Professional Hero - A medical professional (doctors, nurses, EMT/paramedics, hospital/clinic staff, etc.) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

7. Military Hero - A member of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose life-saving action during active duty status went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

8. Workplace Hero - An individual who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others at his or her place of employment or on a job site

Nominations for Real Heroes Awards can now be submitted to the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter online at www.siliconvalley-redcross.org. You can also download a PDF of the nomination form from the web site and mail the completed form to Real Heroes Breakfast Selection Committee, American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter, 2731 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134 or fax the completed form to (408) 577-2050. The American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter must receive nominations by March 6, 2009.

Real Hero Award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of leading members of the Silicon Valley community. Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Silicon Valley. All nominees must work or reside in the Santa Clara County; the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations will be subject to further verification and validation. All nominee information will be shared with the Heroes selection committee and the general public with a two-minute biographical video.