How to Apply

What Are the Criteria?

To be considered for the Hometown Hero Award, students must show:

Meaningful community service
Active participation in the Bremen Food Drive (minimum of 15 hours)

Additional food drive hours strengthen a student’s chances. Community service must primarily benefit people within the Bremen High School attendance area and may be completed through:

Park districts or local governments (Midlothian, Posen, Harvey, Markham)
Local fire or police cadet programs
Community clean-up events
Public libraries, churches, or youth groups
Church-based service roles (choir, usher, altar server, etc.)
Religious education programs at any of the local churches
Scout troops and similar youth organizations (Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts)
Assisting youth sports teams (not as a player)
Volunteering at school (after-school programs, Peer Mediation—not in-school aides or team-required service)
Bremen Peer Mediation, etc.

All service must be properly documented using a form available on the award website.

Is There Anything Else That Helps?

Yes! The selection committee looks very favorably on students who:

Earn the Cook County Sheriff’s Commitment to Service Award

Requires 100 hours of service in one year

Must be earned before senior year (as senior year service won’t count until after graduation)

Awarded around Thanksgiving each year

More information is available via the Cook County Sheriff’s website or by calling (708) 865-2900

Create and Lead Their Own Service Project

Students can also impress the committee by developing a self-directed project that:

Fills a community need

Recruits and organizes volunteers

Manages and carries out any fundraising activities

Engages with community leaders

Document everything with photos and descriptions to be used by future applicants for this award

Examples: Toy drives, coat collections, aid for the homeless, etc.