Nominations have been slow to come in for the local Red Cross' 2012 "Everyday Hero Awards." The deadline is Friday. A committee is to review the nominees and select the winners in 11 categories: animal welfare, community impact, education, health care, military, posthumous, public safety, Senior citizen, volunteerism, workplace impact and youth.
"We need nominations ASAP," said John Sherer, acting director of Seneca County and Fostoria Red Cross. "Certainly you must know someone who is deserving of some special recognition for being an 'Everyday Hero' in Fostoria or Seneca County."
An "Everyday Hero" is someone who gives of their time and energy for the betterment of others without expecting to be compensated for his or her efforts. Perhaps this is someone who helps with animals or volunteers at a nursing facility; a hospice volunteer; the guy who mows the lawn or shovels the snow from the driveway of a neighbor who is ill or elderly. It could be a local police officer or firefighter who reaches out to others on off-duty hours to coach a youth sports team or check on a family displaced by a fire.
"Recently, we had our Seneca County Courthouse removed, and no matter which side of that issue you were on, perhaps you know someone who made an extra effort to save the courthouse," Sherer said. "Heroes are all around us."
To nominate an Everyday Hero, visit www.arcross.org, click on "HEROES" and fill out and send the form. All the details are on the website, or phone Tiffin office in the Tiffin Mall at (419) 447-1424 or the Fostoria office, 115 S. Main St., at (419) 435-5360.
The winners are to be honored at a luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 23 in Tiffin Mall Bingo Hall. This year's featured speaker is to be Ellen Bryan, the reigning Miss Ohio. The MC is radio personality Gus Sierra of WKXA/WFIN Findlay. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at either the Fostoria or Tiffin Red Cross office. Seating is limited to 225.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support Red Cross services in Fostoria and Seneca County.
