American Red Cross Roanoke Valley Chapter and WSLS 10 On Your Side are hosting A Celebration of Heroes, a community awards breakfast honoring local heroes for saving a life, performing an extraordinary act of courage or making a difference in the community.

On Wednesday, March 31, the heroes will be publicly recognized during the breakfast at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel at 7:30 a.m. in the Ballroom.

Heroes will be honored in the categories of Medical, Firefighter, Law Enforcement, Emergency Responder, Good Samaritan, Humanitarian, Community Impact, Workplace, Military and Education.

This is the sixth annual Celebration of Heroes event. The Red Cross and WSLS 10 requested nominations from the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Franklin and Craig; and the cities and towns therein. The heroic acts occurred between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.

The proceeds from this event benefit the disaster relief work of the Red Cross in the Roanoke Valley.

The following is a listing of the heroes, where they reside and why they are being honored:

Community Impact Hero

Cabell Brand (resides in Salem)

For his life-long dedication to help people claim their human dignity and potential, and lift themselves out of poverty.

Firefighter Hero

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue and Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Company

For rescuing 63 stranded motorists in the pre-Christmas snowstorm, feeding them, giving them places to sleep, digging their cars out, and helping them with travel arrangements.

Emergency Responder Hero

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Heavy Technical Rescue Team

The team saved five Appalachian Trail hikers, one of whom had a broken leg, after dark in freezing weather.