Nominate an Alameda Hero

For the eighth year running, the Alameda Heroes Award Breakfast is looking for nominations for Alamedans who've made a difference by serving the community. 

The heroes' awards committee is accepting nominations in several categories, including act of courage, act of kindness and citizen of the year.

The committee will also recognize individuals, youths, businesses and organizations who have served the community with particular dedication.

Each award is sponsored by a different agency or community organization, said event organizer Jim Franz, and the breakfast itself is sponsored by .

"This is a great way to recognize some of the wonderful things that are happening here in the city of Alameda," said Franz, who started the breakfast eight years ago to fill what he saw as a void in recognizing those who do community service.

"Twenty years ago there were the Alameda citizen of the year awards sponsored by the Times-Star," said Franz. "And then Xanthos (now ) took them over for a bit, but then they were discontinued."

In order to fill the gap, Franz, who works for the Red Cross as well as the city of Alameda as a community relations coordinator, launched the annual awards breakfast.

"Historically, there haven't been enough ways to celebrate these people, the heroes of our community," said Franz. "So this breakfast is a good way to have people recognize their peers and celebrate together."

Nominations in all categories are due June 1. The nomination form is attached to this article. 

"There are many Alamedans doing good things," said Franz, "but sometimes it's hard getting folks to take a few minutes and send in a nomination."

The breakfast honoring the winners will be held in the  ballroom from 7:30 a.m. t0 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 23.