The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is seeking nominations for its 16th annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon honoring individuals from across Los Angeles County who have demonstrated heroism through extraordinary acts of courage and humanitarian service.

“Every day we’re surrounded by heroes, often without even knowing it,” said Veronica Garcia Davalos, executive director of the Greater Long Beach, Rio Hondo and South Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, which has hosted the event since 2004. “We need the public’s help to identify everyday heroes in our community whom we can recognize for their contributions.”

Heroic acts such performing CPR or rescuing someone from drowning are encouraged to be nominated; the heroic act must have occurred outside of the normal course and scope of the hero’s usual and customary work. Additionally, the Red Cross asks that all nominated heroes work or reside in L.A. County, though the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere and have taken place in the last year.

Honorees from last year’s Hometown Heroes Luncheon include Gabriel Casillo, who used his Red Cross first-aid training to rescue a choking classmate, and Daniel Tauch and Jesus Villavicencio, who helped a fellow construction worker who collapsed on the job due to a seizure caused by a brain aneurysm. Tauch and Villavicencio delivered CPR and assisted emergency personnel as they stabilized the man in order to transport him to a nearby hospital.

This year’s award recipients will be honored at the  Hometown Heroes Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 14, at the Carson Community Center.

Heroes can be nominated via the Red Cross website and nominations are due by Jan. 31. For information or to nominate a hero, visit redcross.org/la-heroes.