LEWISTON — Two football teammates rescued a drowning buddy. A choking child was saved by a teacher. Police officers braved intense smoke and flames to get people out of a burning apartment building.

These were some of the 11 people who received American Red Cross Real Heroes Awards at the Ramada Conference Center on Tuesday, May 12.

Despite the accolades for their lifesaving acts, each had a similar response to the honor. They see themselves as everyday people who did what they had to do.

The 12th annual event was attended by about 200 volunteers, staff members and supporters of the American Red Cross of Central and Mid-Coast Maine.

From high school athletes to a 95-year-old volunteer at many blood drives, the honorees expressed gratitude that they were in the right place at the right time, with the right training and motivation to take decisive action.

“These are regular people who have done extraordinary things,” said April Caron, executive director of the regional Red Cross organization. “Their selfless acts truly make them role models for all of us.”

James Grant of Industry received the Lifesaving Real Heroes Award for rescuing three people whose canoe flipped and plunged them into the icy waters of Clearwater Pond in Industry in May 2014.

Grant, a Vietnam War veteran and former firefighter who has Parkinson’s disease, made repeated trips on his Sea-Doo to accomplish the rescues. At one point, his own watercraft tipped him into the water.

“They don’t have classes on becoming a hero,” Grant said.

The Education Real Heroes Award went to Brandi Munsey of Richmond, a third-grade teacher at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. She acted immediately when a boy choked on a piece of apple.

Bill Webster, superintendent of the Lewiston School Department, and Montello Principal James Cliffe told the audience that CPR training and awareness of other lifesaving techniques should be made available for all teachers.

Patricia Murtagh, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, voiced support for smoke alarm installation efforts.

The Public Service Real Heroes Award was presented to three members of the Augusta Police Department in recognition of outstanding response at a major apartment building fire in December 2014. Sgt. Eric Lloyd and officers Benjamin Murtiff and Kyle Sheridan entered the building to look for people who may have been trapped inside.

The trio rescued two people, including a woman who was unable to get out on her own. They also helped residents get into warm vehicles.

The Youth Lifesaving Real Heroes Award was presented to Devon O’Connor and Elias Younes, football teammates at Augusta’s Cony High School. They and a friend were swimming at a pool when the friend suffered a seizure and sank to the bottom. They pulled him from the pool and called 911.

Hannah Pillsbury of Skowhegan received the Good Samaritan Real Heroes Award for her role in rescuing a man from the Kennebec River. Pillsbury, a nurse and former lifeguard, was running when she heard calls for help from the Swinging Bridge in Skowhegan. She saw the man drifting toward a dam and, grabbing a life jacket from a nearby boat, she swam to the man and pulled him to safety.

In her comments at the awards event, she said appropriate training for emergencies is vital and when a situation arises it should be just a matter of “getting it done.”

Tasha York of Waterville and Mike Marshall received the CPR Saves Lives Real Heroes Award. On New Year’s Eve, York, who is a nursing student, rushed to aid a customer who collapsed at a tavern where she works. When she was unable to find a pulse on the man, she and co-worker Mike Marshall began CPR. They continued until EMTs arrived to take the man to the hospital.

The Blood Real Heroes Award went to Gilda Dennis of Auburn. She has been a volunteer in the Red Cross Blood Services for three decades. At 95, she remains active at the Red Cross, and other organizations, and she actively promotes the Red Cross to her family, friends and everyone she meets.

“I feel I’m doing something worthwhile,” she said. “The blood donors are the real heroes.”

Mary Dempsey, assistant director and co-founder of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in Lewiston, gave Dennis credit for helping to start a knitting program at the center in 2008.

“When you can do something you enjoy and it turns out to be worthwhile, DO IT,” Dempsey said.

Also speaking at the awards ceremony were Anne Ryan, Kaplan University executive director and chairwoman of the Lewiston Red Cross Cabinet, and Chip Morrison, 2015 honorary chairman of the Lewiston Cabinet.

Presentation of the colors was by members of Franco-American War Veterans, Post 31, Lewiston. Auburn Fire Chief Frank Roma led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Steve Minich, WMTW-TV news personality, introduced the award-winners.