Nominations Open for 2009 Real Heroes

    Categories for the 2009 awards are: Educator, EMT/Safety, Firefighter, Law Enforcement, Medical Professional, Military, Outstanding Role Model – Adult: Outstanding Role Model – Group: Outstanding Role Model – Youth, Heroic Act and Fallen Hero. Nominees for the awards will be accepted through Jan. 8, 2009 and announced on Jan. 15, 2009. Recipients are selected by a panel of community leaders in February. The recipients will be announced at a media party at Young Woolridge scheduled a week prior to the luncheon.

   Winners in each of the categories as well as their sponsors will be invited to attend the luncheon. Contest entry materials can be obtained at the American Red Cross-Kern Chapter office at 5035 Gilmore Avenue or by calling 324-6427 or 1-800-498-4882.

   Those wishing to make nominations may do so on-line at the American Red Cross web site: www.kernredcross.org or at the KGET-TV web site: www.kget.com.  Information about Real Heroes Luncheon sponsorships and attendance may be obtained by calling Lorraine Castro, CEO or Jennifer Perfect, Emergency Services Director, at American Red Cross-Kern Chapter at 324-6427 or 1-800-498-4882.

   Community members or businesses may nominate an individual or group for a Real Heroes Award. Nomination forms are available at www.KernRedCross.org or at www.kget.com Nominees must reside in the County of Kern and event taken place anywhere from January 2008 to December 2008. The nominator must submit a clearly stated, detailed description of why the nominee is being nominated in the Real Hero category. Any supporting documentation including news reports, articles, or names of witnesses for verification should be emailed to The Kern County Red Cross contact. Winners will be selected by a group of community leaders and will be recognized at the "Real Heroes - A Tribute to Heroism" ceremony  to be announced.