We have received some amazing nominees for this year’s Herald Hero Award, but there is still time to get one in before Monday’s deadline.

The winner will receive a $500 cash prize. Just send an email to heroes@montereyherald.com and tell us in 200 words or less who you’d like to nominate, and why. Nominations are due by noon March 10.

How you choose your hero, and what criteria you want to establish for your hero, is entirely up to you. You can send us an email about anyone you see as someone who does great things for other people, animals, the environment or anything you consider hero-worthy. We’ll give equal consideration to heroes who perform their extraordinary feats behind the scenes, and those who are paid to do it.

In 2023, it was Al Siekert, who for years has run “Al & Friends Sunday Breakfast,” aimed at feeding the needy. Our other four finalists were Margy Mayfield and her team of pediatric nurses at Coastal Kids Home Care, Tom Newton, the principal of Monterey High, Marge Brigadier, a volunteer with Bay Net, a network of volunteers who serve as stewards of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary, and Chris Shake, the local restauranter who is well known for his volunteer work in the community.

Our county is filled with heroes such as these, and in many other arenas too numerous to mention. So this year, that fabulous five of 2023 won’t be eligible. We’re asking for your assistance in helping us identify a few more who deserve the Hero honor.

We’ll convene a panel to review the entries and announce five finalists and write stories on each, highlighting their heroic acts.

From there, we’ll choose one as the winner, honoring that person as our “Herald Hero.”

The everyday heroics of people doing great things behind the scenes have always been a big part of what makes Monterey County such a special place to live. We’re looking forward to receiving even more nominations and sharing their stories.