LEWISTON – The American Red Cross of United Valley will accept nominations for its sixth annual Real Heroes Awards through Friday, Feb. 12.

The organization will recognize residents and employees of Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset counties who have demonstrated acts of heroism and shown courage, kindness and unselfish character in their service to others.

Awards will be presented in the following categories: public safety, life saving, community service, youth community service, military, animal rescue, education, workplace safety, international service, medical provider/outreach, environmental service/outreach and miscellaneous. 

There are real heroes all around us,” said Laurie Levine, executive director of the American Red Cross of United Valley. “They may be people you know or strangers whose good deeds you hear about in the news. Real heroes give of themselves because they want to make a difference, and their actions demonstrate the potential that is in us all.”

The awards will be presented during a March 23 ceremony at the Ramada Inn. All proceeds from the event will benefit the United Valley chapter’s response to local disaster relief and emergency preparedness efforts throughout the region.

Visit www.mainerealheroes.org to find complete award criteria and fill out a nomination form.