The Mount Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting nominations for local residents to be honored as heroes during its 15th annual Real Heroes Celebration Dinner on Dec. 6.

Nominations will be accepted until Saturday, Sept. 15.

The goal of the event, which is the Mount Baker Chapter’s largest annual fundraiser, is “to recognize and honor the ordinary people whose extraordinary actions inspire others and help make our community a safer place to live,” according to a press release.

Last year, the chapter recognized 19 people as heroes, raising more than $95,000 for local Red Cross services.

The 2011 honorees included Bellingham resident Matthew Aamot, who received a public safety award for assisting police in capturing a suspect of a gang-related shooting at the Northwest Washington Fair, and Tyson and Andrew Clarke of Bellingham who used their Red Cross CPR training skills to save a young man’s life on Lake Chelan.

Nominations can be made by completing the online form at the Mount Baker Chapter’s website, or by emailing a nomination to info@mtbredcross.org.

Guidelines for hero nominees

-Must live or work in Whatcom County or Skagit Valley.

-Act of courage must have occurred between Aug. 1, 2011, and Aug. 31, 2012.

-Must be nominated by members of the public.

-Can be of any age or occupation.

-Can be recognized for an act of courage big or small, affected one person or the entire community.

-Animals can also be recognized as heroes.