Staff Writer
You may have knowledge of an individual or group who has performed an act of heroism this past year.
For 11 years, the local American Red Cross chapter has recognized some of the Real Heroes among us, people whose courage, kindness and unselfish character deserve public recognition. The Aroostook County Branch of the Pine Tree Chapter now invites individuals or organizations to nominate one or more people to be a 2010 Real Hero. A committee of community leaders will choose from among the nominees to receive Real Heroes awards at the 12th annual Real Heroes Breakfast on April 1 at the Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle. This year’s event is sponsored by the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, Northern Maine Community College and WAGM TV.
Individuals or groups may make more than one Real Hero nomination. Those who nominate the selected award recipients are also invited to the breakfast.
“The Real Heroes Breakfast grew out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross, which is to help people save lives,” said Joyce Knorr, the Aroostook County branch manager. “The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Over one million Red Cross volunteers accomplish this every day of the year through the simple, yet powerful process of someone putting his or her own needs aside to help others. I can think of no better way to celebrate this spirit of humanitarianism then by nominating and recognizing heroes in our own community.”
One of last year’s Red Cross Real Heroes was Kylie Daigle, a student at the University of Maine at Fort Kent who came to the immediate aid of an unconscious and severely injured woman who had been hit by a vehicle. At first, the responding police thought the victim had died. But Kylie did a heroic job helping to stabilize the woman until the emergency services unit arrived to take over and transport the victim to the hospital. Daigle was the first person the victim saw as she opened her eyes when the sound of the emergency sirens stirred her back to consciousness. Her compassionate and prompt reaction to an emergency and the use of knowledge and skills during a time of unexpected urgency made her an Aroostook County Real Hero.
To get a free 2010 Red Cross Real Hero nomination form, call 493-4620, ext. 108 or e-mail knorrj@pinetree.redcross.org.
All Real Hero nominees should live, work, or study in Aroostook County, and have performed his, her or their heroic act between Feb. 15, 2009 and Feb. 12, 2010.
Return the completed nomination form to Knorr at the Aroostook County Branch of the Pine Tree Chapter by fax, mail, or e-mail no later than Feb. 12. Contact information is included on the nomination form.
Businesses and organizations can also play a part by sponsoring a table at the April 1 Real Heroes breakfast. Proceeds are used to assist local Aroostook County disaster victims served by the Red Cross. Call or e-mail Knorr for more Real Heroes sponsor information.
The Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. All disaster services are an outright gift provided by voluntary contributions. The Red Cross is not a government agency and does not receive funds from state, federal or county government; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
