| Breakfast to reward community helpers |
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| Written by Cassie Monroe, Daily Vidette Staff Writer |
| Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:17 |
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Tickets are now on sale for the American Red Cross of the Heartland “Saluting our Heroes” breakfast, to be held Thursday, Nov. 12 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington. “We’ve had this event the last few years, and a lot of people asked us about becoming a hero by donating blood. This year we made it a priority to place our blood mobile outside the doors so everyone can have a chance to donate,” Steve Stoewer, director of Blood Services for Heartland’s American Red Cross chapter, said. “This will give people a chance to be a hero themselves by donating blood.” The event will draw attention to the people of McLean County who have done something positive in the past year, whether it be saving someone’s life or strengthening the community in some way. “We want people to learn more about special people from our community who do heroic things, but don’t talk about it,” Scott Vogel, director of public support at the American Red Cross of the Heartland, said. “This is a chance for us to recognize them.” According to Vogel, the breakfast will be served around 7:40 a.m., and the presentation will start at 8 a.m. There will be seven awards from different categories handed out, and after each of the awards a two to three minute video will be played to introduce the audience to the recipients. “The recipients already know they won the award,” Vogel said. “The videos were made from interviews with them.” The seven categories for the awards are: Ambassador, presented by Verizon, Armed Forces, presented by Country Financial, Good Samaritan, presented by CEFCU, Youth, presented by State Farm, Health and Safety, Public Service and Volunteer. In addition to these seven, another award will be presented during the breakfast by the WJBC radio station. This award is known as the “WJBC Don Munson Spirit of McLean County Award.” It was first given in 1977, and recognizes a community member’s significant contributions to the improvement in initiative, industry, imagination and compassion. In respect for this award Vogel said, “They honor a person every year who shows what McLean County is all about.” This will be the fifth year the “Saluting our Heroes” breakfast will be held. When the event first started it was held around July 4, to celebrate patriotism and service along with the rest of the nation. However, the event has been moved to November because it coincides with Veterans Day and, according to Vogel, too many families had to miss the event because of family vacations and prior engagements. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at Archeartland.org, or by phone at (309) 662-0500. |
