Red Cross Honors Local Heroes

Red Cross Honors Local Heroes at Events in March, April Statewide Breakfast Celebrations Sponsored by Wells Fargo

FARMINGTON, CONN., March 11, 2013 – The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter will honor local heroes at three Heroes celebration breakfasts in March and April, sponsored by Wells Fargo. These celebrations will recognize members of the local community whose actions epitomize the mission of the American Red Cross – helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Events are planned for March 28 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, in Hartford; April 12 at Woodwinds, in Branford; and April 26 at the Trumbull Marriott, in Trumbull.

Heroes are selected from community nominations and are recognized in one of 10 categories: Firefighter, Law Enforcement (including 911 Operators), Military, Water Safety, Medical Professionals, Animal Rescue, Good Samaritan Adult, Good Samaritan Youth, Community Impact and Spirit of the Red Cross (impact locally, nationally and internationally).

"These heroes exemplify the work of the Red Cross," said American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region CEO Mario Bruno. "These Heroes celebrations recognize ordinary people in our community who do the extraordinary in service to others."

The American Red Cross serves local communities with disaster response, preparedness education, support of blood collection and assistance to military families. The work is done largely by volunteers and with private donations. "As with the people we will honor in March and April, our own Red Cross volunteers go above and beyond every day to offer comfort and support in the wake of disasters," Bruno said. "We also honor them when we recognize the same traits in others."

Bruno said the work of the Red Cross as well as events like the Heroes celebrations could not happen without private donations. "We rely on the American public for support through gifts of time, money and blood. We are grateful to Wells Fargo for their major sponsorship of this event, which helps to celebrate the heroic spirit in our communities."

"Wells Fargo is supporting the Heroes breakfast celebrations because it is important to recognize those within our local communities who rise to the occasion when our residents need them the most," said Joe Kirk, Wells Fargo's Connecticut and New York regional president. "We are extremely fortunate that the American Red Cross is here to serve Connecticut during emergencies -- and Wells Fargo is proud to be a sponsor of this program." ‬

The American Red Cross Connecticut 2013 Heroes celebrations will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the following times and locations: for March 28 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, in Hartford; April 12 at Woodwinds, in Branford; and April 26 at the Trumbull Marriott, in Trumbull. Registration at each event is at 7:15 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. Tickets for each event are $35.

Reservations can be made by calling Laura Campbell at (203) 874-2532 ext. 16 or by e-mailing her at Laura.Campbell@redcross.org.