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Let Me Be Your Hero, Baby

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Dec 4, 2006 8:00PM

2006_12_hero.jpgThe Red Cross is asking, who is that someone in your life who can kiss away the pain? Who will stand by the community forever? And who will take our breath away?

Ok. Cheese. We know. But seriously, the Red Cross of Greater Chicago is calling on all of us to nominate heroes for the 2007 Heroes Breakfast to be held in the spring. They — and don't we all? — want to recognize outstanding people with endless valor, compassion and humanity toward their community.

There are nine categories that someone can be nominated in:

  1. Citizenship: An individual who displayed leadership and commitment to our community.
  2. Community Impact: An individual who made a positive difference in our community
  3. Disaster Response: An individual who exhibited heroic efforts in response to a natural disaster, assisting victims in an emergency situation with financial or social service assistance.
  4. EMS: A professional emergency medical service provider who exhibited heroic efforts as a paramedic, first responder giving CPR, or as an emergency medical service provider.
  5. Firefighter: A firefighter who acted above and beyond the call of duty.
  6. Good Samaritan: Someone who acted selflessly in helping another in need.
  7. Good Samaritan (youth): A youth (under age 21) who acted selflessly in helping another in need.
  8. Law Enforcement: Law enforcement personnel who acted above and beyond the call of duty.
  9. Military: Active, retired, or reserve personnel who acted above and beyond the call of duty.

All candidates must live or work in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry or Will county, and their heroic act must have happened within the last year. The Red Cross is accepting your nominations until January 31. Oh, and no, you can't nominate yourself, jagoff! Mail your nominations to ARCGC Heroes, 2200 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL 60612, or fax them to 312-729-6305, or submit your nominations online here.