Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Joe C.

The Extra Mile (or 20)

One cold, winter evening last March after a shopping trip at the mall 25 miles from our rural home, my husband and I and our 3 kids headed home to bed after the mall closed at 9 pm. Nearing the turnoff to a long stretch with no houses or businesses, our engine started losing power and lights were dimming. Clearly the car was in serious trouble. "If we can just get to the Kmart ahead, I think they might have an auto shop, and they might be open till 10pm", I told my husband. All the other stores were closed already, and I'd left my cell phone at home in the charger.

Our car died as we pulled into the parking lot. The front doors of the Kmart were locked, but the employees were all standing inside the door waiting for the manager to let them out. We knocked and indicated that we needed help. They ignored us. We persisted, politely, having no other options. Soon the assistant manager came out. We explained our situation. He offered the use of his cell phone to call a tow truck. While on hold, we all realized that the five of us still had no way home (tow trucks don't give 5 people a ride), and I had no phone numbers to call neighbors for a ride home.

What he said next floored me. "Where do you live?" he asked.

"Danville, about 20 miles away." I replied.

"Hop in, I'll give you guys a ride home." my hero said.

So all five of us very grateful and amazed people piled in, and were taken safely home by the man who cheerfully went the extra (20) mile(s)or so to help some folks he didn't know.

Submitted by Suzy Wickham