WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An Omaha, Neb. man and a couple from Clinton, Iowa will represent their respective states as "citizen heroes" when the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers meet the University of Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday, Nov. 23^rd in the second-annual Heroes Game presented by Hy-Vee.   

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110729/CG43683LOGO)

The Heroes Game uses the national stage created by this new Big Ten football rivalry to honor the heroic efforts of individuals and organizations in America's heartland. Fans of both schools were invited to nominate residents of Iowa and Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism and service in their communities. From among those nominated, staff and volunteers from the American Red Cross selected the following winners, who will be recognized during a halftime ceremony on the field in Iowa City's Kinnick Stadium:

• Jason Parks of Omaha, Neb. Jason was driving to work one morning when he witnessed a collision between two semitrailer trucks. He rushed to the scene of the accident and, with no regard for his own safety, pulled one of the drivers from the flaming wreckage only moments before the truck exploded.
• Lois and Bill Hall of Clinton, Iowa. The Halls and the K-9 dogs they raise and train provide more than 1,500 hours of service to their community each year, assisting with emergency search and rescue missions and offering therapy visits to local schools and hospitals.

Athletic Directors Tom Osborne of the University of Nebraska and Gary Barta of the University of Iowa will make a special presentation to the Heroes Game honorees, whose names will be inscribed on the Heroes Game trophy. Parks, the Halls, and members of their families will be guests of the Cornhuskers and the Hawkeyes at the game and will participate in a variety of special pregame activities.

Representatives from Hy-Vee, presenting sponsor of the Heroes Game, will present a check to the American Red Cross just before kickoff to show support for the Heroes recognized and the important work of the American Red Cross in Iowa and Nebraska. Hy-Vee stores in both states have been selling paper shields of the Heroes Game logo, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About Hy-Vee:

Hy-Vee, Inc., founded in 1930, is an employee-owned corporation operating 234 retail stores in eight Midwestern states. For fiscal year 2012 Hy-Vee will record sales of $7.7 billion, ranking it among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States. For more information, visit www.hy-vee.com.

SOURCE Hy-Vee, Inc.