The American Red Cross is in search of local heroes who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to help others.  Whether performing extraordinary acts of courage to save lives, committing countless hours to special causes or touching the lives of others through kindness and compassion, the Red Cross wishes to honor and celebrate these heroic individuals.

You are invited to nominate family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances -- anyone who has demonstrated compassion, courage, character or humanity towards others.

Heroes will be chosen in six categories:  Emergency Responder, Good Samaritan Adult, Good Samaritan Youth, Military Service, Animal Rescue (person who saved an animal or an animal who saved a person), and Community Impact (person who is involved in a project or on-going effort that directly impacts the community).

Recipients will be honored at the 18th annual American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at the Amber Room in Danbury.

Nominations are now being accepted for individuals whose heroic events are either ongoing or occurred between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.  Heroes must live or work in one of the following towns:  Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Canaan, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Sherman, Warren and Washington. 

Tell us about your hero and why he/she deserves this special award.  Request a nomination form by calling the American Red Cross of Western Connecticut at 203-792-8200 or the New Milford Branch at 860-354-3415 or email pr.arc.western.ct@snet.net.  Nominations must be received by  January 31, 2008.