Salute to Everyday Heroes

This event celebrates ordinary people who one day find themselves living through extraordinary circumstances, reaching out to someone in need.

Each year the American Red Cross Genesee-Lapeer Chapter celebrates  individuals who have shown exceptional courage, kindness and unselfish character by their acts of heroism in our community.

This year's awards celebration was held on May 16, 2008, at the Captain's Club of Woodfield, with several men and women from our community being honored for reaching out and saving someone's life.  

The Salute to Everyday Heroes event was started as a way for the Red Cross to honor individuals who embody our mission of responding to emergencies. Red Cross volunteers respond to disasters – predominantly home fires - offering food, clothing, counseling, and shelter.

"On a daily basis, Red Cross volunteers put their lives on hold to bring immediate relief and emotional support to disaster victims. Faced with what appears to be insurmountable odds, our dedicated volunteers, like the everyday heroes we honor, go the extra mile to come to the aid of someone in need," said Ken Vavra, Executive Director of the Genesee-Lapeer Chapter.

Nominate A Hero

If you know an everyday hero, please fill out a nomination form. You may nominate individuals who performed a heroic act in 2008 to be honored at our 2009 awards celebration.  Please print a nomination form from our Web site and mail it or fax it to the address on the form.  Click here for a nomination form in Microsoft Word.  It may take several minutes to load.  Or, you may obtain a form by calling 810-257-0747.  

Qualifications for an Everyday Hero

One hero is chosen for each category: Fire, Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Response, Community Good Samaritan, Youth Good Samaritan (17 years and younger), Adult Good Samaritan, and Workplace Good Samaritan.

You may nominate an individual or a group of individuals in the same Award Category who acted together in the same situation.  A community advisory committee will review the nominations and select the winners.  Acts of heroism must be performed within established guidelines and meet the following criteria to be considered for the Everyday Heroes Awards.

1. Acts of heroism should be related to fire, rescue, or lifesaving and must fall into one of the award categories.
2. Nominee must be a resident or employed within Genesee or Lapeer County or the rescue must have occurred within Genesee or Lapeer County.
3. Timeline for Heroic Act: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
4. Please attach reports, news articles or names of witnesses to the nomination form. 

The winners will have a dinner in their honor and receive an award. 

The idea for A Salute to Everyday Heroes grew out of the desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the Red Cross - teaching people to save lives. The Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Nomination Form in Microsoft Word.  May take several minutes to load.