achievement ambition appreciation believe believe in yourself caring character charity class and grace commitment common ground compassion confidence courage courtesy dedication determination devotion do your part drive encouragement excellence foresight forgiveness friendship generosity giving back gratitude hard work helping others honesty hope humility ingenuity inspiration integrity laughter leadership learning listening live life live your dreams love loyalty making a difference motivation opportunity optimism overcoming patience peace perseverance persistence Practice preparation purpose reaching out respect responsibility right choices rising above sacrifice sharing soul sportsmanship spread your wings stewardship strength teaching by example team work true beauty trust unity vision volunteering

Your Everyday Heroes

Ray M

He was my former boss and was always there for anyone who needed a hand-up. As a single mom he gave me a job when no one else would, he also allowed me to bring my daughter to work with me when my daycare plans didn't work out. read more→
Value: COMPASSION

Ben H

My dad is definitely my hero. I wouldn't be where I am if he didn't care about me so much. I remember when we got in some fights because I thought I was right, (as most teenagers do) and he got angry with me about it. I didn't think he was being fair so I got angry with him. Later on I realized that I was wrong. When I went to tell him I was sorry I remember that he said "even when we are mad I... read more→
Value: LOVE

Zachary U

Zachary is my nephew and my hero. He has Cerebral Palsy and so do I. When I discovered that Zac had this condition I cried. My mother sat beside me and said that Zachary was not going to have my life. The medical technology and research that wasn't available to me would be for him. She then told me that Zachary was also more fortunate than me because he has an aunt who shared his condition. H... read more→
Value: PERSEVERANCE

Gianna S

My daughter is my hero. She was born early and deathly ill, she was not supposed to make it, but she did. She fought for her life in the NICU for 2 months. She has Cerebral Palsy and is a severe quad. She amazes me daily. Never gives up. She is assisted in every thing she does. She never complains, just goes with the flow and is full of laughter and smiles. She is 4 years old. She tries... read more→
Value: COURAGE

Gail E

My hero is a woman who has two special needs children, a son and a daughter. Her kids have autism and down syndrome. She started a school for typical and special needs children in the Bay Area about 10 years ago and she did not allow her circumstances to limit her vision. Today the school has over 100 families when it only began with five. My daughter just graduated from the school and is now o... read more→
Value: DEDICATION

Rose F

My hero is my mom...no matter what is going on in her life, she is positive, upbeat and cannot utter a bad word about anyone. She gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and always pulls the good out of every situation. I hope some small part of me can be like her. read more→
Value: LOVE

Coleton W

Our 14 year old son was a big baseball player in east Texas. His dream of becoming a baseball player came to a halt when he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer. He touched the lives of people all over east Texas and in other states as well. He is one of 200 teenagers that are diagnosed a year(very rare). He was only given a 20% chance of survival. He challenged himself to fight a good fig... read more→
Value: INSPIRATION

Maria G

My hero is my maternal grandmother, Maria Gutierrez. Born to a mother and father both in their mid fifties, she was born healthy which wasn't and -still isn't- expected. Maybe that small fortune was a sign for what she would accomplish in her life. When she graduated in 1945, there were no colleges back then in our hometown of Laredo and her parents couldn't afford to send her anyway. But sh... read more→
Value: HARD WORK

Eddy G

Eddy is my 41yr.old precious son, he's a single parent with a son named Alex who is 19yrs.old and works hard and is in college. Through my son and his endless dedication, love, and constant Faith he has reared this child to become an honest,respectful,caring and faithful young man who loves his Family. I have seen many struggles for my Son Eddy but he always remained strong. I am most proud of ... read more→
Value: COMPASSION

Jessica T

Im Evelyn, I'm 12 years old and I am proud to say that my little sister, Jessica, is my hero. Many people think that when somebody saves your life that's when they become your hero, but no—its not always like that. Its when they inspire you that they become your hero. So, my little sister is my hero because no matter what she will never let anyone put her down. People criticize her saying he... read more→
Value: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

John W

John Wooden was a giving person in teaching values that were created for sports, but could also be used in life. Although I'm a sports fan, he meant more to me than sports. He was a man that had no vices, but to dedicate his life to the success of young people. He was a good man that created the pyramid of success. John Wooden, UCLA basketball coach, recently departed this would, and even th... read more→
Value: ACHIEVEMENT

Matthew L

Matthew is the bassist for a band that I adore. At the end of June, he was walking to get a drink someplace when he saw a woman being hit by her significant other. Matthew told the man to stop and called the police. The man turned on Matthew and started beating him. Matthew suffered from broken bones and was bleeding into his brain. He survived but still has a long road in front of him. Matthew... read more→
Value: HELPING OTHERS

Naomi H

The trip to Africa was a lifelong dream, a journey that Mark and Naomi Hughes, both 47, had wanted to make for as long as they could remember. Naomi Hughes, an animal lover and professional dog groomer in Hamilton, and her husband, who works for the Department of Homeland Security, couldn't wait to see Africa's wildlife in Kenya and South Africa. After the couple's son and daughter graduated... read more→
Value: HARD WORK

John G

MY DAD . . . The time has arrived to take up my pen and write a tribute that is long overdue to the other man in my life, so precious to me ~ Dad ~ I’m a better person because of you. Precious memories I fondly remember; how I love thinking back on those days ~ playing the piano for you in the rec room, receiving your applause and your praise; sitting beside you at th... read more→
Value: TEACHING BY EXAMPLE

Cheryl H

I was 7 years old when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time I had no idea what that meant. Just that she was very sick and there would be a lot of changes in our lives. She never let it keep her down though, basically as soon as it happened it ended. She went back to teaching her kindergarten class and smiling the entire time thanking everyone for their continuous support. It ha... read more→
Value: OVERCOMING

Deb D

Of course my mom is my hero, but for reasons beyond her nurturing love and endless support she has given me throughout my life. Mom instilled in me numerous values, but one that I value the most is commitment to hard work. Mom worked 16 hour days as a single parent who still wanted to provide her daughters with everything she could. She would go to work at 2:30 a.m. and ice doughnuts and cha... read more→
Value: HARD WORK

Don E

As with most kids, my hero was and is my dad. He is a Depression Era kid who grew up as the second to youngest in a family of 7 children. My dad is a rock solid individual in his dealings with others. He not only "Talks the talk", he "Walks the walk". His word is his honor. If he says it, he does it. My dad has given countless hours as a volunteer, mentor and life coach to others throughout t... read more→
Value: RESPECT

Chris K

Chris is constant motivation and inspiration for all those around him. Diagnosed as a 21 year old Marine with a degenerative nerve disorder, Chris was forced to cut his career in the Marines short and has gone from using canes to a wheelchair over the last 12 years. Despite his challenges, Chris has never slowed down. He started his own fitness facility, Corps Fitness, and his own non-profit ... read more→
Value: MOTIVATION

The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten

My name is Michael M. I'm 43 years old and was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2008; which was caused by exposure to toxic water while serving in the Marines at Camp Lejeune NC. Since '08 my family and I have had so much advice, assistance, support and total compassion from a group that calls themselves "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten" (TFTPTF). Everyone at TFTPTF, especially Jerry & J... read more→
Value: APPRECIATION

Janina R

Janina was born premature weighing in at one pound three ounces (1 lb. 3 oz) and 24 weeks into term. She survived through 6 months of challenges that surprised nurses and doctors who took care of her. Today, at the age of 30, she has grown into a beautiful, petite, adult who gives of herself through the ability of reading Braille. Janina volunteers at nearby schools in her community of Las Ve... read more→
Value: DEDICATION