hyvee_heroesIowans have until tonight to nominate someone to be honored as a hero at the upcoming Iowa-Nebraska football game. Kara Kelly is spokeswoman for the Iowa Chapter of the American Red Cross, which is helping to promote the award.

“We need those nominations,” Kelly says. “We know there are great people doing amazing work in Iowa and Nebraska and we want people to think about the heroes in their lives and submit them to be honored.” Two people will be singled out, one from each state, to be honored on-field during the Hawkeyes-versus-Huskers game in Lincoln on Thanksgiving weekend. Kelly says the deadline for entering a name is at midnight tonight.

“The easiest way to nominate your hero is to go to RedCross.org/hyveeheroes and fill out the form,” Kelly says. “Make sure and make your case. We do have a committee of Iowans who will look at all of those nominations.” Last year’s honoree from Iowa had a remarkable story. “Our Iowa winner was Austin Benson,” Kelly says. “He was a high school student from Winterset and he saved his friend Rachel’s life when she was thown off her horse and then the horse fell down and rolled on her. It was an incredible story of him keeping his cool and then keeping Rachel calm and he really did save her life…an amazing kid.”

Nomination forms can also be found at www.hy-vee.com.

(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)