By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County is looking for local heroes.
After a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Black Swamp Humanitarian Awards will return in November.
The last time the awards were given out three years ago, 17 ordinary citizens who performed heroic acts were honored. They braved bullets and saved hostages. They brought people back from the brink of death. And they prevented a home from going up in flames.
Now the committee behind the awards needs your help honoring people who have made heroic efforts to help others.
Over the last three decades, more than 450 awards have been given to people who performed extraordinary acts – many times for people they didn’t even know.
This year, the awards ceremony will recognize heroic efforts that took place over the last three years.
“This is really important to be able to thank people for going above and beyond,” Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said about the return of the awards program.
In many cases, the event provides an opportunity for the people saved to meet with the person who rescued them, the sheriff said.
“I love it. You just sit back and see the emotions of bringing people together, who now have a bond. It’s a beautiful thing,” Wasylyshyn said. “I’m glad we’re able to continue doing this.”
The ceremony will be held in Nazareth Hall near Grand Rapids on Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s format for the awards ceremony will include dessert, but not dinner.
The criteria for Black Swamp Humanitarian Awards are as follows:
Good Samaritan: For outstanding service to an unknown person, at no risk to their own life.
Life Risk: For risking one’s life to help another.
Beyond the Call of Duty: For a firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency medical technician who goes beyond the call of duty in helping a person.
Service to Others: For outstanding service to another human being by providing out-of-the-ordinary assistance.
Anyone who knows someone who may qualify for an award is asked to submit a nomination by the deadline of Sept. 15. Nominations may be sent to: Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, 1960 E. Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green, OH, 43402, or mwasylyshyn@woodcountyohio.gov.
