Everyday Hero Stories

Where did your values come from?

We've all had people in our lives who have made a positive impact on us. A parent or grandparent, a sibling who was there for us, or maybe even just a guy who shines shoes for a living? Whoever they are, tell us their story so they can inspire us even more.

Tell Us Your Story
COURAGE
JACOB H Jacob is a very special, very wonderful man who always goes above and beyond what is expected of him. You see Jacob is a lead crew member for a local construction company. And one day at work the roof came crashing down on two of his co-workers. Trapping them beneath weight that no man can stand for too long....
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COURAGE
VICKI H I have known Vicki for most of my life, approximately 10 years. She has become like a second mother to me over this time and is a mother of two and has been happily married for 20 years. She goes to my church and is the children/youth groups' director. Vicki is the director of marketing at an assisted living...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COURAGE
JOHN F John was walking past an icy pond in Scarsdale, New York. He noticed two children skating together as their mother looked on from the shore. Quite suddenly, the ice broke, and both the little boy and the little girl fell into the pond. John shouted children's mother, "call 911 quickly," and crawled onto the...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COURAGE
ANN E My mother, Ann, is an inspiration to me. She just survived her 8th brain surgery to remove her 17th malignant tumor. She's in a very small percentile of people to even have this kind of aggressive meningioma and an even smaller number of those who survive. Before these problems, she raised three kids in a tiny...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COURAGE
THERESA S My hero is my mom, Theresa. She is the first person I knew who was so strong at heart and had the courage to fight back in any situation. Without her, our family would never have been financially settled and peaceful. She is always there and understands our needs even before we realize them. With her kind smile...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
EMILY T Emily is the most special girl I know. She isn't like any other. When ever you go to Emily with a problem, she is there to help. Whenever you need, Emily she is there. Emily never hesitates to help someone out if they are in need. Emily really displays all of the values, but her compassion for others is amazing....
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
GRACE H My niece has been playing hockey since she was five and it is her greatest passion. Last year, as a high school freshman, she tried out for the varsity hockey team and, when she didn't make it, shook off the disappointment and simply played in another league for girls her age. This year she tried out again and...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
JEANNETTE S Jeannette is a nurse in our Emergency Room. Jeannette can always be counted to be there, for patients, families, visitors, staff, physicians, everyone. Out of her own pocket, she buys birthday cakes for her coworkers; toys for our patients; and can always be relied upon to go that extra mile for anyone in need....
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
RACHEL F As she watches her mother fight breast cancer this year, Rachel has persevered, believing that if anyone can beat the illness, it's her mother, Bernice. Through the chemotherapy, hair loss, and emotional hardship, Bernice has thus far defeated the hardest of enemies, a malady that threatened her health and...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
TERRI C My hero is Terri. She is not the typical 'save the city' hero that many people talk about. Not many people hear about her because her work is done out of care and love. She works as a social skills trainer. I am one of her clients. She has helped me so much by being there when I need her. When I was suicidal, she...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
LOLA C A little over a year ago my wife's mother, Dolores, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Her prognosis was very poor and she wasn't expected to make it to Christmas. After getting the news, we moved our family closer and arranged for my wife, Lola, to stay with her mom to help. What followed would leave...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMITMENT
JEAN AND AL T I am nominating Al and Jean, now in their 70s, for the utter compassion (as well as courage, determination, and commitment, and sacrifice) they have shown in caring for their now 29-year-old grandson, who is paralyzed from the chest down, with severe cerebral palsy and mental retardation. They have loved and...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
MIKE T I met Mike when I was struggling so hard with my shattered life. When I heard Mike deliver a sermon at a church, I knew then I could turn to him in my time of need. Wow, was he ever! The first time we met, I told him I needed someone to listen. The expression of caring when I told him convinced me he was the one....
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
EDWARD M This amazing citizen not only was awarded two purple hearts for heroic acts in World War II but truly possesses a golden heart. Every day, Edward's mission is to show compassion and love for all. At 84, Edward is incredibly active and responds to anyone who needs help whether it is of physical or spiritual...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMON GROUND
VINCENT J One Christmas Eve my husband was on his way home from work. He drove down the street and made the turn to go home. On the side of the road, with his hand raised, and his thumb out, stood an older man drenched to the bone from the heavy rain. My husband stopped, and asked him where he was going. It was about five...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
REBECCA G I would like to nominate Rebecca as my hero. Her compassionate nature led her, while still in her teens, to become a care-giver for a family of five developmentally disabled foster children ranging in age from 18 months to 27 years. These individuals each have different levels of disabilities: some have cerebral...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMPASSION
MATTHEW R He is the best teacher I have ever had. He teaches his students not only the subject matter but compassion for the less fortunate. His energy to help out is so much that it overflows to his students and his energy is always channeled into something positive.
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
DEDICATION
ANNA AND LAWRENCE T My parents married in the late 50's when it was still very taboo for a couple of different races to marry. Plus they got together while still in high school ('cause of me!). They endured unspoken hardships due to poverty, racism & immaturity but still rose to the task. Dad, with Mom's strength and inspiration,...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
CALVIN S My husband had a dream and founded StoryTellers of The American Frontier (SAF). A non-profit organization with a Western Frontier premise that would help him reach young people, especially troubled teenage boys, just as the TV western heroes of the past had inspired him. They literally saved his life. His mission...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMITMENT
KIRIN P He is the principal of The Galaxy Education System which has a group of schools in Rajkot, Gujrat State, India. He started the school way back in 1982 with less than 100 students; I joined him then. In these past two decades, he has changed the face of this city. He is so committed to education, and is not afraid...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMITMENT
BERTHA P The hero is my mom. She has been caring for my dad who has been sick for many years. Her commitment to her has been an example to many people. Just recently she has spent seven days sleeping on a chair by his hospital bed. My dad is 67 and she is 72. Although she has been through so much with my father's health,...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMITMENT
CHARLES S Chuck is my husband of 22 years. He came into my life when I was 16 and he was 17. My mother was dying of cancer and my father already was deceased. I was a lost person with no support. This man cared for me and married me and works so hard. He was working two jobs and going to college. We have three beautiful...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
COMMITMENT
JOY AND JEFF Y My heroes are my parents. They have been married for 33 years. My mother is an extremely talented writer and musician, which gifts come with a passionate personality. My father is an attorney, a humorist and a very cerebral thinker. At times I thought no one with the differences my parents had could make a...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
OTHELLA AND BILL S My heroes just happen to be my parents. Mom and Dad have always been there for us kids through the rough times and the good times. My parents were foster parents to many children for over 40 years and have only retired due to the ill health of my mother. During their lifetime, they have brought joy to children...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
ROWLAND H I would like to nominate my dad as my hero. He is the best dad anyone could ask for. He is currently in his third year of remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He battled the disease off and on for three years undergoing many tests, chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. During the entire time he...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
MATTIE D Six years ago my mother went through the most precarious time of her life, not sure if she would live or die. She was suffering the effects of Polycystic Kidney Disease, living with a set of kidneys and a liver no longer in operation. She was in great pain, afraid of the uncertainty of tomorrow and isolated three...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
DR. ROBERT B Dr. B. at Elmhurst College is an amazing history professor. He is extremely passionate about his subject as well as his students. When my friend's mother died of cancer, Dr. B. called my friend to see how he was doing and even came to the funeral. Dr. B. knew I was good friends with this guy and would continue to...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
TAUNA S Tauna is one of the best people I may ever know; intelligence, kindness, acceptance, empathy, self-respect, values and tranquility all combine into her wonderful personality. She is only an 11th grader, yet her intellect and general compassion suggest more experience in life than many adults I know. Any stress...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CARING
DR. HARINI P While the majority of physicians in our Baltimore suburb refuse to treat patients on Medical Assistance, Dr. Harini P. is a dedicated pediatrician who not only accepts these patients, but gives them excellent medical care and treats them with dignity and respect. She is always accessible to her patients, never...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
THOMAS Y Our son, Thomas, turned 10 on February 12, 2005. He was born pre-mature at 27 weeks and weighed only 2 lbs, 10 ounces. Within 24 hours after his birth, he was dying. We had signed consent for the doctors to try a new treatment, nitrous oxide. When all seemed lost, Thomas's vitals starting creeping back to...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
HELPING OTHERS
KEITH S My father is my greatest hero. Although he is missing fingers from his left hand, is riddled with a liver disease, Hepatitis C and a Vietnam shrapnel wound that's eating his leg, he is constantly smiling, laughing, and doing things for friends and family members. He spends hours helping others even when his...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
TSE YUET M Tse Yuet, is father of nine daughters, Chinese butcher by trade, artist, inspirationalist, and is my grandfather. He came out of China to Hong Kong, then to Yellowknife and Vancouver and my ties with him start from Yellowknife at age three. I remember how he would teach me about the wonders of animals, the...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story
CHARACTER
STEVEN S Steven is not only my husband; he is also my hero. He grew up in Los Angeles. Steven was a kid who got into a lot of fights and sometimes into a lot of trouble. Yet, he graduated high school and became an auto body mechanic. Not feeling satisfied as an auto body mechanic, he taught himself to work as a Jaguar...
SUBMITTED BY ANONYMOUS
Read Story