American Heroes Channel and the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust Partner to Create the "Red Bandanna Hero Award," Honoring Every-Day Heroes

American Heroes Channel and the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust Partner to Create the "Red Bandanna Hero Award," Honoring Every-Day Heroes

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- American Heroes Channel (AHC) today announced its partnership with the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust and its Red Bandanna Project to create the Red Bandanna Hero Award, honoring bold men and women who have distinguished themselves by their courageous, selfless, and often life-saving actions. Red Bandanna's name was inspired by Welles Remy Crowther, also known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna," who saved as many as 12 people, according to survivor accounts, following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. While the world was watching but hope seemed lost, Crowther reminded us what's possible when courage is summoned and fear renounced, renewing our faith in humanity during one of the darkest days in American history. Paying tribute to Crowther's intrepid actions, the Red Bandanna Hero Award acknowledges ultimate, everyday heroes who exemplify the American spirit and define us as a nation.

"Heroes like Welles Crowther are born in a moment but live on for eternity as symbols of staggering courage and personal sacrifice in defense of the greater good," said Henry Schleiff, Group President, Investigation Discovery, Destination America, American Heroes Channel and Discovery Fit & Health. "Heroes rarely refer to themselves as such, and so it's with great humility and gratitude to their service that we create the Red Bandanna Hero Award in Welles' memory to recognize those like him who answered the call despite mortal danger and insurmountable odds."

"Our entire family could not be more proud of Welles and his courageous actions during his final hour on September 11(th)," said Alison and Jefferson Crowther, parents of Welles Remy Crowther and founders of the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust. "It is our hope that through the character lessons of the Red Bandanna Project, which embrace Welles' spirit and his life's example, young people everywhere will be inspired to commit acts of kindness and caring for others. Through the creation of the Red Bandanna Hero Award, we hope we can encourage others to discover the power within and strive to make this world a better place for all."

AHC will film a PSA with the Crowther family in late 2014 to announce the award both on air and online, and will kick off the award-entry process in 2015.

Crowther was only 24-years old when he lost his life on September 11, 2001. He always carried a red bandanna in his pocket, a habit he learned from his father as a child. It was this signature that ultimately led to his identification as "The Man in the Red Bandanna," who had been known to save many lives after the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 struck the World Trade Center's South Tower. A former volunteer firefighter who was working as an equities trader, Crowther put his own life at risk while making multiple trips between the tower's 78(th)-floor Sky Lobby and clear air at the 61(st) floor to escort and carry at least a dozen victims down the only stairwell that remained passable. When he reached the ground-floor lobby, he remained with members of the New York City Fire Department at the Command Center until the tower collapsed. Crowther's remains were recovered in March 2002 and, nearly four years later, he was named an honorary member of the FDNY.

About Red Bandanna Project
The Red Bandanna Project is a character development program for use in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, sports teams and camps and youth programs. Inspired by the exemplary life and selfless death of Welles Crowther, the lessons taught are Leadership, Caring for Others, TEAM, The Power of One, Bridging Divides, Forgiveness and Carpe Diem. This project is supported by the Fetzer Institute of Kalamazoo, Michigan in partnership with the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust.

About American Heroes Channel
American Heroes Channel (AHC) is a network from Discovery Communications that tells timeless stories in which a challenge appears - be it a situation or a villain - and a hero arises. Currently in 60 million homes, AHC provides a rare glimpse into major events that shaped our world, visionary leaders and unexpected heroes who made a difference, and the great defenders of our freedom. For more information, please visit AHCtv.com, facebook.com/AHCtelevision, or Twitter.com/AHC_TV . American Heroes Channel is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2.7 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.

For more information about the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, please visit http://www.crowthertrust.org/.

SOURCE American Heroes Channel

American Heroes Channel

CONTACT: Reenie Kuhlman, 240-463-5068, Reenie_Kuhlman@discovery.com

Web Site: http://www.ahctv.com


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