People from Carson City, Dayton and Gardnerville have been nominated for top honors March 31 at the Red Cross' annual Real Heroes Breakfast.
"Every day, ordinary people do something extraordinary, and we want to acknowledge that," says Caroline Punches, executive director of the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the Red Cross. "They save a life. They teach someone else how to save a life. It's that spirit of community - neighbors helping neighbors - that we celebrate at this event."
The fund-raising event will be held at Harrah's Reno where the winners will be announced in the following categories: Adult Community Hero, Youth Community Hero, Community Impact Hero and Animal Rescue Hero.
The nominees are:
n The Carson City Fire Department for exemplary work on the Waterfall fire.
n Firefighter Kevin Kleinworth of the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District is being honored for his actions that saved two lives during the Waterfall fire last summer.
When the inferno that eventually engulfed 18 homes erupted in Kings Canyon, he was among the people fleeing the narrow road. Kleinworth waited for a News Channel 4 truck, carrying a reporter and cameraman, to turn around. They barely escaped. Kleinworth was not as fortunate. He suffered burns on his cheeks, nose, ears and neck. His truck was destroyed. "It was the scariest moment of my life," Kleinworth said.
n Carson City mother Kaylie Allen, nominated by her daughter Keegan Allen, 9. "My mom is a hero because she saved my brothers and me from a fire," Allen wrote in her nomination letter. The fire nearly destroyed the home, but Allen and her children escaped unharmed.
n Volunteer Bonnie Simpson, of Carson City, was nominated by Richard Baldwin for her work running the feeding program during the Waterfall fire.
n Pastor Dallas Ramsey of Carson City was nominated by Douglas Bolton for his work with Faith House Ministries of Nevada in Reno. Ramsey has "dedicated his life to helping others. His impact on our community on behalf of the less fortunate has been tremendous," Bolton said in his nomination letter.
n Carson City firefighters Bob Stanford, Dave Park and Capt. Bob Schreihans were nominated by Fire Chief Stacy Giomi for their rescue of a litter of puppies. The crew responded to a report of a choking baby on Dec. 14. When they arrived, they found a choking puppy, but they administered CPR anyway.
"We thought maybe we could help," Schreihans said at the time. "We're into saving lives, whether they're human or puppies." Their intervention rescued nine puppies and found homes for the litter by Christmas.
n Weston Martin Overland, 20, of Gardnerville was nominated by his grandmother for his volunteer work with the Red Cross.
Winners will be picked by a panel of seven not associated with the Red Cross, said organizer Randi Thompson.
The 7:30 a.m. event is free, but donations will be accepted. All money raised will support the programs and services of the American Red Cross provided throughout Northern Nevada, Thompson said.
n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.