By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
The Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter is once again looking for community heroes.
For the past 12 years, the local Red Cross chapter has recognized some of the Real Heroes in the region – people whose courage, kindness and unselfish character deserve public recognition. Community members are once again invited to nominate one or more people to be a 2011 Real Hero.
A committee of community leaders will choose from among the nominees to receive Real Heroes awards at the 13th annual Real Heroes Breakfast on Thursday, April 7 at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle. The event is sponsored by the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter, NMCC, and WAGM-TV 8/FOX 8.
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, Aroostook County Branch manager. “The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Over 1 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 than by nominating and recognizing heroes in our own community.”
One of last year’s Red Cross Real Heroes was Dawn Kerekes of Hodgdon, a registered nurse at Houlton Regional Hospital’s emergency room. Kerekes had taken a different route driving home from work when she came upon a state work crew and realized someone was in trouble. The victim was lying on the ground. Kerekes stopped her car and immediately asked if she could help. She quickly identified herself and questioned bystanders, then discovered the victim had a faint pulse and slow breathing. She yelled for someone to call 9-1-1 and to get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) while she administered CPR until the AED arrived. She then shocked the victim and continued CPR until the ambulance crew took over. Without the assistance of Kerekes’ quick actions, the victim would not have been able to undergo further medical treatment.
To obtain a 2011 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 the heroic act between Feb. 16, 2010 and Feb. 10, 2011.
The completed nomination form should be returned to Knorr by fax, mail, or e-mail no later than 3 p.m. Feb. 11. Nomination forms will not be accepted after that time. Submission information is included on the nomination form.
Businesses and organizations can also be part of this event by sponsoring a table at the April 7 Real Heroes breakfast. Proceeds are used locally to assist Aroostook County disaster victims served by the Red Cross.
