American Red Cross to Honor Local Siblings as 2023 Heroes

CHICAGO, IL (April 27, 2023) —The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honoring Nayomi Melton and Caleb Johnson of Chicago as this year’s Youth Heroes at the organization’s 21st Annual Heroes Breakfast. The event will be held Thursday, May 11 from 7:30-10:00 A.M. at the Hilton Chicago.

Siblings Nayomi Melton and Caleb Johnson are just nine and six-years-old but are already seasoned volunteers. In the past two years, the siblings have prepared more than a thousand lunches that they have donated to shelters and handed out to people experiencing homelessness, often using their own allowance money to buy the supplies. They got the idea after they saw a man on the side of the road with a sign and a cup and asked their mom what he was doing. Once she explained he was experiencing homelessness, Melton and John-son wanted to help because they recognize the importance of helping others in their community. Both children were recently honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their work.

“The American Red Cross is proud to honor extraordinary people in our community, especially outstanding children like Nayomi and Caleb whose compassion is making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness,” said Celena Roldán Sarillo, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois. “We are proud to count them among our 2023 class of heroes.”

An independent committee of leaders in the business and civic community selected honorees in 12 community service categories. For the complete list of 2023 Heroes, visit redcross.org/heroes.

Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2023 Illinois Red Cross Heroes event, including Presenting Sponsor: Gallagher; Champion Sponsors: William Blair, ITW, Kirkland & Ellis, KPMG LLP, and Wintrust; Inspiring Action Sponsor: Make It Better Foundation; Hero Award Sponsors: Aon, BMO, Fresenius Kabi, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Nicor Gas, United Airlines, Walgreens; Interactive Technology Sponsor: JLL; Media Sponsors: Better and CBS 2 Chicago and numerous other organizations who have made this program possible.