Tim Blair lowers the Amakuas mainsail as they approach the Presidio Yacht Club near Sausalito. (Alvin Jornada / For The Press Democrat)

Tim Blair is the director, and heart and soul of Transformational Sailing, a group that uses the healing power of wind, sea and sky to help veterans and cancer patients. On Thursday, April 17 he along with other men and women of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties will be honored as Real Heroes by the American Red Cross.

The 11th Annual Real Heroes Breakfast, presented by Wells Fargo, will honor the courageous acts of inspirational members of the community. Heroes are acknowledged in ten categories which highlight the heroic deeds of community members in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties. The categories include Medical, Humanitarian Adult, Humanitarian Youth, Law Enforcement, Environment, Rescue Professional, Education, Heroic Deed, Military and Animal.

See photos of the honorees here

Tim Blair, the founder of Transformational Sailing, was nominated by Merrill Lynch in the military category. Other local nominees include Nick Papadopolous and Gary Cedar, who co-founded CropMobster.com, Chris Kittredge who helps raise puppies to become service dogs, and John Bribiescas who co-founded School Plus, a non-profit program developed to save and supplement enrichment programs throughout Santa Rosa schools, just to name a few.

To read about 9-year-old third-grade Kenwood student Riley Orton, another nominee, click here.

The invitation-only event will be heldThursday, April 17at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park at7:30 a.m.The Breakfast is a highlight event in the Red Cross chapters calendar as it significantly benefits the continuation of essential disaster aid services and classes the Red Cross provides to support the communities of all three counties.

Debbie Abrams of KZST will emcee the event that features sponsors such as Pacific Gas and Electric, Jackson Family Wines, St. Joseph Health, Kaiser Permanente, American AgCredit, Amys Kitchen, Sutter Medical Center, Eileen Adams, Medtronic, Merrill Lynch, The Press Democrat, Sonoma Raceway, North Bay Business Journal, KZST 100.1, and The Ukiah Daily Journal. Table Sponsors are Factory Pipe, Marys Pizza Shack and Freidmans Home Improvement.

Those wishing to attend the event can call the Red Cross at 577-7627. While there is not a set ticket prices, guests are encouraged to contribute a minimum donation of $133 to represent the 133 years the American Red Cross has been serving the American people.

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'Real Heroes' honored at annual Red Cross event