‘You don’t always hear all of the good news stories in our community’

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — If you know a hero, why not help share their story so they can get the credit they might not seek, but definitely deserve?

The Piedmont Triad chapter of the American Red Cross is extending the nomination deadline for its 2025 Salute to Heroes awards. It was April 30 but now it is May 9. You can find the nomination form here.

The program is now in its 13th year and seeks to honor local first responders, veterans, active members of the military, and ordinary citizens who have shown extraordinary bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity.

Once the nomination period closes, the selection committee will notify the winners. WXII 12 News will spend the summer putting together profile stories on each of the winners, which will air on TV and during the awards ceremony itself, which is in September, though the exact date and location are still to be determined.

“You don’t always hear all of the good news stories in our community. Sometimes you get to see the opposite side of it, so it’s great to see these things surface and see what heroes we actually have in our community,” said Eddie Bowling, selection committee chair.

The committee has received several dozen nominations so far but still needs more, especially in two categories — emergency communications and active duty military.

“I think if we had military bases closer to our area in the eleven counties that may prompt additional folks to think that they need to nominate someone for this award,” Bowling said.

Last year, the Red Cross posthumously recognized a Greensboro Police Sergeant who gave his life trying to stop a crime in progress, three fire departments in Randolph County that worked together to save a woman after an unusual and dangerous car crash, a small business owner in Davidson County who saved his neighbor’s life by performing CPR, two people who happened to stop on the highway to check on a burning car and pulled the unconscious driver out of it, an Army veteran who works tirelessly on behalf of other veterans in Davidson County, and a Red Cross volunteer who has spent decades volunteering with the organization and has a passion for keeping families safe.

To learn more about the rules, criteria, and how the process works, click here.