On Friday, the Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross presented their 2019 Heroes Awards to nine everyday people from across the state who performed extraordinary acts of courage and kindness to help others in need. 

 

This year’s First Responder Heroes are Lt. Paul Van Voorhies from Becker and Special Agent Steve Kritzeck from Zimmerman.

 

Sponsored by Abbott, the American Red Cross First Responder Hero Award is presented to an individual(s) or group of the public service community (i.e. EMS, firefighter, or law enforcement) who went above and beyond the call of duty. FIRST RESPONDER Heroes Lt. Paul VanVoorhis & S.A. Steve Kritzeck.

 

Lieutenant Paul Van Voorhis and Special Agent Steve Kritzeck put their first responder training into quiet, concise action when they encountered a man with a gunshot wound on a wilderness trail during a vacation to the Boundary Waters. 

 

Drawing on their experience in law enforcement, Paul and Steve provided the man lifesaving first aid while they waited 30 minutes for first responders to arrive to the remote location. Because of their cautious and pragmatic handling of the situation, the man is alive today.

 

“We’re not sure how much longer he would have lasted on his own,” said Kritzeck. “I don’t know what would have happened if we hadn’t just didn’t happen to be there that day.”

 

“This morning we celebrated individuals whose selfless and courageous acts remind us all of what is possible when we share the best of ourselves,” said Phil Hansen, regional executive for the American Red Cross Minnesota Region. “Each involved an individual who made the decision to act for the benefit of someone else – their family, their community or a stranger. That is what makes them heroes.”

 

Presented by Land O’Lakes, the event celebrates Heroes in six categories including: Community Hero, Give Life Hero, First Responder Hero, Good Samaritan Hero, Military Hero and Youth Hero.

 

The 2019 Heroes received their awards at the 11th Annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast held at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, their stories shared through inspiring vignettes. Click here to view this year’s stories.

 

Next year’s American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast event will take place on May 26, 2020. Nominations for Heroes are now being accepted at redcross.org/mnheroes.   

 

Special thanks to presenting sponsor Land O’Lakes and matching gift sponsor The Morton & Merle Kane Philanthropic Foundation, as well as our vignette sponsor Slumberland Furniture. In addition, the Red Cross is proud announce award sponsors Abbott, API Group, Inc., CenterPoint Energy, Eide Bailey, and Medica Foundation, plus Marathon Petroleum as VIP reception sponsor.