Red Cross chapter seeks hero nominees

SARAH JACKSON THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- This past year, a year like no other, likely brought out some South Sound heroes.

Locally and nationally, the call for heroism was high as the Feb. 28 Nisqually Earthquake shook the ground and terrorist attacks rocked the nation.

Now it's time -- by way of the Thurston Mason County chapter of the American Red Cross -- to recognize local heroes.

Nominations are open -- though the deadline is Tuesday -- to honor local heroes at the Real Heroes Breakfast, an annual Red Cross fund-raiser now in its sixth year.

Kay Walters, the executive director for the chapter, said chapters throughout the state have seen an increase in nominations this year because of heroic efforts related to the terrorist attacks Sept. 11.

"There have been about seven chapters that have already had their heroes breakfasts," Walters said. "All have noticed at least a 25 percent increase in the total number of nominations."

Clark County's Red Cross chapter, Walters said, added a separate 9-11 category because of the Sept. 11 turnout.

Hero nominations, however, certainly don't have to be related to recent disasters.

The local Red Cross boasts 11 different categories of heroism -- adult good Samaritan, youth good Samaritan, mental health, animal rescue, workplace safety, spirit of the Red Cross, law enforcement, fire rescue, medical, 9-1-1 rescue and community organization.

Nominees must be someone who lives in -- or who performed a heroic act in -- Thurston or Mason counties.

Though there are no restrictions on who can submit nominations, nominations must include a witness contact -- someone who can verify that the heroic event occurred during the past two years. Selected heroes must be available to attend the breakfast.

Colleen Hoss, a Red Cross volunteer and selection committee coordinator, said a panel of community and business leaders and politicians -- not Red Cross staff -- choose the winners.

Usually heroes are nominated for a specific event, but some people -- or pets in the case of animal rescue -- are nominated for long-term acts or services.

Most of the time, those winners are regular people, Hoss said, people who have acted selflessly.

Take for example, Calvin Britton of Olympia, the man who won in the fire rescue category at the Real Heroes Breakfast last year.

Upon witnessing a vehicle crash, Britton pulled a woman from her burning vehicle, dragged her up a steep embankment and stayed with her until a rescue helicopter could fly her to Harborview Medical Center.

"He's not even a firefighter. He's just a guy," Hoss said. "It's that type of thing. It's people who see something happen and something in them makes them help."

While it's free to nominate a hero, the breakfast costs a suggested $85 donation.

That's a symbolic 85, Walters said. This month, on Feb. 18, the local chapter turned 85 year old.

Walters said the chapter hopes to raise $85,000 -- well over last year's $70,000 -- at the breakfast.

That's especially important, Walters said, given the rash of recent house fires and the exodus of local donations to the national disasters in New York City and Washington, D.C., this past year.

Numerous donations and sponsorships from local businesses -- such as $7,500 from Miller Brewing Co. -- keep the event going every year, Walters said, which benefits the local disaster relief fund.

Walters said about 750 people usually attend the event at Saint Martin's College.

"Our disaster relief fund is suffering very badly and this event is what keeps us going," Walters said. "We're very worried about the next six months."

The Real Heroes Breakfast, Hoss said, also reminds South Sound residents to count their blessings -- especially after Sept. 11.

"We too often are focused on what's not going right rather than on what's going right in our world," Hoss said. "Certainly, the events of last year helped us to focus on what's going right."

Sarah Jackson writes for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-704-6871 or sajackso@olympia.gannett.com.

Nominate

The Thurston Mason County chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking nominations of local heroes.

Nominate extraordinary efforts of South Sound residents in areas of law enforcement, fire rescue, medical, 9-1-1 rescue, adult good Samaritan, youth good Samaritan, mental health, animal rescue, workplace safety, spirit of the Red Cross and community organization.

Heroes will be presented with awards at the annual Real Heroes Breakfast on May 2.

- Nominations must be in by or postmarked by Tuesday.

- Nominees must be someone who lives in -- or performed a heroic act in -- Thurston or Mason counties. Though there are no restrictions who can submit nominations, nominations must include a witness contact -- someone who can verify the heroic event. Selected heroes must be available to attend the breakfast.

- Mail letters of nomination to Red Cross, P.O. Box 1547, Olympia, WA 98507, or call 360-352-8575 for a nomination form.

- Enclose any extra information such as newspaper articles or pictures.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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