The American Red Cross is seeking nominations for the first annual Heroes of Southern Nevada Awards. Nominations are due by Aug. 30.

Your hero might be a lifeguard who saved a drowning child or a 911 operator who provided extra help until firefighters or police arrived, an ordinary citizen who performed CPR when a stranger collapsed at a shopping mall, or who saved a neighbor's beloved pets from a fire.

Every day in our communities, ordinary people make extraordinary contributions by putting their needs aside to help others in times of crisis. The American Red Cross is honored to salute these unsung heroes.

Nominees for the Heroes of Southern Nevada Awards are sought in nine categories:

Adult good samaritan, youth good samaritan, military, firefighter, law enforcement, 911 dispatch, animal rescue, medical professionals (doctors, nurses, EMTs and lifeguards), community impact (awarded to a local charitable organization).

The awards will be presented at the Heroes of Southern Nevada Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., Oct. 9 at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The awards will be presented by the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross and Harrah's Entertainment, with generous support from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, KLAS-TV (Channel 8), KJUL-FM and KDOX-AM radio.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.redcrosslasvegas.org or call 702-791-3311.