If you know of an Iowan who’s risked their life to save another or who’s just a super-Samaritan, you have until the end of the month to nominate them for an award, called Heroes of the Heartland.
Josh Nuss is a spokesman for the American Red Cross in Iowa, which is hosting the special awards in five communities statewide this year. “These are all signature fundraisers for the American Red Cross here in Iowa and our opportunity to honor our local Heroes of the Heartland,” Nuss says. “We are looking for those ordinary people doing extraordinary acts in your community.”
Nuss says they’re looking for people who have made a difference in their communities, through their courage, dedication, heroism — or just acts of kindness. “We’ve had nominations that are life-saving acts, CPR, Heimlich maneuver, pulling somebody from a burning building,” he says. “We’ve also had nominations of the good Samaritan in your community, someone who’s very involved in volunteering and non-profits, or who shovels everybody’s driveway in the winter, that kind of thing.”
Nuss says it’s easy to nominate someone. “Go online to RedCross.org/Iowa and there you’ll see a link you can click to nominate a hero, or you can go to your local chapter and do it there as well,” Nuss says.
Entries are being accepted through January 31st. The awards will be presented March 14th in Des Moines, March 25th in Fort Dodge, March 27th in Sioux City, April 1st in Spencer and April 4th in Ottumwa.
reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City