American Red Cross honors local heroes

The American Red Cross hosted a luncheon Thursday to honor local heroes.

The East Idaho Real Heroes awards brought together community leaders, corporations, first responders, and emergency personnel.

Eleven awards were handed out to those individuals who demonstrated an act of heroism. With each award given came a story explaining the act of kindness.

For Brandon Olsen, a father, his act of heroism came last summer.

“I saved a little boy’s life. I noticed something weird in the water, looked over and it was a little boy floating face down. I jumped in, grabbed him and performed CPR,” Olsen said.

Olsen said he’s the kind of person whose always on alert.

“Always on the look out for people in need. I very honored to be here,” Olsen said.

The Regional CEO for Greater Idaho and Montana Red Cross, Nicole Sirak Irwin, said, “Many of the people who were recognized don’t see themselves as heroes, just people doing the right thing.”

Irwin also said everyday people are the ones who make a difference.

“Often they want to stay in the background and they’re wonderfully humble and also amazingly brave and courageous,” Irwin said.

Eric Thomas who has volunteered with the Fremont County Search and Rescue team since 1989. He started five years after he was hit by a car. The accident left Thomas paralyzed from the waist down.

Thomas said the best part of his volunteer work is reuniting people with their families. However, he doesn’t see himself as a hero.

“People help me all the time I see this as a way to pay back. Being in a wheel chair you have a lot of help, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without help,” Thomas said.

American Red Cross will donate 100 percent of the funds raised by the luncheon to families affected by disasters.