Area Red Cross seeking hero nominations for 8th annual Heroes Breakfast

[January 22, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking hero nominations from the public for the eighth annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast fundraiser on April 19 at the Crowne Plaza. Presented by the Bank of Springfield, this inspiring event honors a group of everyday local heroes for performing an extraordinary act or giving a lifetime of service to the community.

Proceeds benefit local disaster relief by the Red Cross.

The Red Cross is seeking nominations for nine hero categories that will be honored at this year's breakfast:

• Youth, sponsored by St. John's Children's Hospital: A person under 18 who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or committed themselves to better their community/the people in it.

• Education, sponsored by Horace Mann: A K-12 or college teacher who has made an extraordinary difference in the life of a child or group of children.

• Military hero, sponsored by Hanson Professional Services: A local member of the U.S. armed forces who has shown dedication to serving our country or made the ultimate sacrifice in defending it.

• Public safety hero, sponsored by the American Red Cross: A person in an emergency service field, such as police, fire department or EMT, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to save or protect another.

• Senior hero, sponsored by Concordia Village: A person over the age of 62 who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis or committed themselves to better their community or the people in it.

• Community hero, sponsored by Greene Dodge: Someone who has shown heroism in some unexpected or unusual way during a time of crisis in their community or has shown sacrificial commitment to meeting the needs and challenges of their community.

• Workplace hero, sponsored by Express Employment Professionals: Someone who has acted in a heroic fashion during a time of crisis in their workplace or has shown strong commitment to helping others within or through their place of work.

• Health care hero, sponsored by Springfield Clinic: A member of the medical or health care profession who has displayed extraordinary and sacrificial commitment to saving or improving lives or treating illnesses.

• Civic hero, sponsored by Bunn: A person in a paid public service field, such as government, nonprofit or social services, who has gone above and beyond to help or protect someone or worked toward positively affecting their community.

Nominees must either live or work in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Menard, Macoupin, Montgomery, Sangamon or Shelby County. Local heroic acts must have taken place within the last 18 months to be eligible, unless the nomination is for a lifetime of service. An individual or group of individuals may be nominated and can be entered into multiple hero categories.

People in the community can fill out and submit the online hero nomination form by visiting www.il-redcross.org. Nominations are due by Feb. 22.