The third annual “Heroes for the American Red Cross kickoff and information meeting will be Monday.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Mower County chapter office, 305 Fourth Ave. N.W.

According to Elaine Hansen, executive director of the Mower County chapter, there are many ways to be a Red Cross Hero.

Hansen’s list includes:

If you are able, make a personal or business contribution $1,000.

Ask professional associates to make a contribution to support your effort.

Ask your employer to make the corporate contribution.

Mail a letter to 40 of your closest contacts and ask for $25-$50 per person.

If you are an educator, ask the students and faculty of your school to raise money through a coin drive or selling “Red Cross Squares” to display in the school.

High school clubs and organizations can do a number of things to raise $1,000.

If you are a minister or church member, ask members of the congregation to contribute to your efforts.

If you are in retail, banking, or the restaurant business, ask customers to donate or to buy “Red Cross Squares,” which are displayed in the business.

If you manage a business, ask your vendors to support your efforts.

If you are a member of a civic club, ask other members to contribute.

If you are retired, ask neighbors or friends to support your efforts.

Hansen also said the simplest ideas can reap big benefits for the Red Cross.

“The Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign will bring forth a tremendous surge of creativity and visibility in our community,” she predicted.

Some interesting examples from Red Cross campaigns in other communities include:

A retired farmer sat in his local gas station and convenience store for three days asking customers to give to the Arc. He raised $2,900.

Two post office clerks asked customers they knew to donate their change, raising $1,800

Firemen held a boot drive for one day at a local Wal-Mart and raised $3,900 and Wal-Mart matched their drive with a $1,000 donation.

A restaurant asked customers to donate change after paying their tab and raised $1,600.

A pizza restaurant sold “Red Cross Squares” to customers raising $1,200.

For more information, contact Hansen at 437-4589.