Heros

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Heroes By Value

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Your Everyday Heroes

People do extraordinary things every day. They share their time, resources, or love. They show incredible strength and courage. They inspire us by their example. Here are true stories about real-life heroes, written by visitors to the site. You can also share a story of your own hero.

The following stories have been tagged with ‘Teaching-By-Example’

Kenda N.

Kenda is a Hero as she has brought more joy, smiles and higher self-esteem to my young adult child and others like him. You see, Kenda created and directs "Movement E-Motion", a dance program for individuals with different abilities - young adults aged 13 to seniors with Down Syndrome, Autism and physical challenges. This lady, the artistic director of AZDance…

Alan T.

Al was an educator who believed the best in kids and families. He was a highly regarded (and award winning) elementary school principal when I first met him and not too much later, I found out he had MS. He retired after 25 years and fought MS for his, too few, remaining years. He died a few years ago, far…

Tyra W.

In 2006, after about 3 years of taking care of my son Chance as a single mother, his father finally stepped back into his life. At first it was very difficult to let go and trust that he would be a steady presence in my son's life. Since our separation he had remarried and I was unsure of how my…

Mabel B.

Mabel was my Grandma. I truly think she was really an Angel though. She was almost non-human in the ways she dealt with people. Here are some of the extraordinary examples from her life that have had a profound effect on mine: 1. When my father was a child, some gas splashed on his legs at the gas station and…

Timothy H.

Growing up, we often imagine a hero wearing a cape, moving faster than a speeding bullet, or climbing walls with the ease of a spider. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that a hero can be a person you see everyday in the most normal of circumstances. I did not realize until after I'd grown out of childhood that my…

Melanie

Melanie... the REAL American Dream This story is dedicated to my awesome little sister Melanie! (aka Herbie. That’s what I call her) Melanie is the kindest, sweetest, gentlest, person I know and has a heart the size of Texas. I was about 10 years old when Melanie was born. My Dad came home from the Hospital and told us kids…

Dr John L.

My father is an example of the "American Dream." With $105 in his pocket, he immigrated from South Korea during the Korean War to the USA. He won a scholarship during the 1950's to East Tennessee University when segregation was predominant. My father also did not speak English which made it harder for him to succeed. My father instilled in…

John C.

John is a shinning light in my life and the lives of others. I see him every day interact with special people in our department. Specifically John works with Jason, one of the other employees in our office. Jason is a very special young ambitious person and John has taken him under his wing to mentor him and guide him…

Laura A.

Heroes are people who want to see you do well. Laura went out of her way to encourage people she knew to go to college. She held our hands and told us how proud she was and cheered us on when times got tough. Laura graduates tomorrow and we will follow the road that she provides the light for.

Peggy M.

My grandma, Peggy, is my hero. She died in 2006, but she was a great person. She got married when she was 13 and she never went past the 6th grade. She got pregnant and had my dad when she was 14. She was self-taught, she was a very good cook, she was a very good painter, she paid the…

Martin T.

Forty years ago at the age of six I had spent a great deal of time in a box in the closet and endured many years of abuse at home. I came to my first grade class sucking my thumb and staying behind when the class would go out to play. I was filthy and neglected. At one point I…

Ellen E.

My sister Ellen is my hero. We came from a somewhat poor family with three boys and my sister. My father died when we were pretty young. After my father died, my sister took care of my mother and us. She had just gotten married and she would have my mother stay at her house most weekends because she knew…

Judge Kathleen V.

Judge Kathleen V. is more than just a judge overseeing a drug court for juveniles with substance abuse issues. She inspires confidence in kids who have little in the way of family support - she is cheerleader to those who succeed - she is genuine in her concern and commitment to helping kids live a healthy and drug free life.…

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 health is ailing, often for free. He…

Martha D.

Mrs. D's teaching (biology/physiology) style for her classes is very challenging. By this I mean it was my hardest class and I never learned so much in just one class. Mrs. D. always showed love and support to all of her students. She would give the shirt off of her back for one of us. She has little inside jokes…

Stephan H.

Stephan passed away on April 15, 2004. He was not only the best grandfather ever; he was the most educated person I ever met. He changed my life so many ways; I could never thank him enough. He always had the answer. He was not only book smart, he was life smart. My grandfather retired from the United States Air…

Fernando V.

In the 20-plus years, I have been working with special education students, I never met anyone quite like Fernando V.\r\n\r\nWhen I met him, I was introduced not to a quadriplegic eight year old. Instead I met a breath of fresh air. 'What a personality,' I thought. 'We're going to have fun.' And we have. Lots of it. He said he…

Ronald B.

Ron, wow, what a great person. Growing up in the Young Men's Christian Association, I had someone to look up to always. Becoming a volunteer of the YMCA, I had someone to look up to always. Becoming an employee of the YMCA, I still had someone to look up to - Ron. Growing into a man who makes decisions everyday…

Fu L.

Fu - this man is a true hero. I've watched him everyday, as he gets up early to go to his difficult and dangerous job and then comes homes with burns and bruises to make dinner for his kids. His kids aren't the easiest kids to handle. He has a selfish, hot-tempered 17-year-old son and a lazy, very messy 13-year-old…

Kallie S.

Kallie is a high school student. She is an amazingly positive and influential young person. She always encourages others and offers comfort, advice, or just a smile to others. She is an excellent student, taking AP courses. She is on the school newspaper as well as the school's closed-circuit morning news. She leads with a moralistic, positive example, one that…

My Parents

They have been married for 27 years. They have raised two beautiful daughters, me being one of course. They never let the harsh realities of the world be brought into their home; yet educated us in what "is out there in the big bad world." My mom was one of seven kids, and had to work hard for everything. My…

Erin F.

Erin is an amazing teacher who goes the extra mile for her students. She is also and amazing wife and friend. She is always looking for the good things in life and encouraging me and others to good things with our life.

Danielle C.

My heroine is my 9-year-old niece, Danielle. Recently she moved to Indiana to live with her mother for the school year. In the last three months that I have spent time with her, she has taught me more about life than she can imagine. I thought this kid could use some help in life with learning values and help with…

Clara T C.

Known as Mrs. T.C. to her many fans, she is the epitome of a teacher. I have worked with her for the last seven years and seen her go above and beyond for many children. Going to their homes, sometimes providing safe space for them to live in during a crisis, supporting them in outside activities, and keeping in touch…

Sam R.

Sam R. is a wonderful person. I have only known her for 5 years and she has matured in many ways. Sam grew up on a farm, and for the first 6 years of her life, she was home schooled. Now, at a prestigious private school, Sam still loves the freedom she experiences when she is at home. Being an…

My Parents &Amp; Family

My parents and family because they helped me to be a better person and to always do what I love best.

Nalliah K.

My father(1926-89) is my hero. He taught me to love fellow humans; not to harm others; to enjoy life with a sense of humour everyday; to learn everyday from everything or everybody; to thank god for all we have; to help others; to realise the truth and happiness; to enjoy cooking, eating, studying, working as well as talking and sleeping.

Ken G.

My dad is my hero, not just because he's my dad, but because I'm fairly certain that he's a hero to everyone he's met. \r\n\r\nThe other night he took me out to ice cream and we sat by the water talking. When I went to school the next day, I mentioned how my dad had taken me out. My friends…

Jody H.

I began singing as young as I can remember. And as soon as I could, I enrolled with the best music teacher in town. When I started with her, we could immediately tell our political and religious differences.\r\n\r\nThrough her teaching me, however, we have discovered that we have more in common than we could have ever imagined. We are both…

Isaias G.

My hero is my brother, Isaias. Right now, he is studying at the University of Indianapolis, majoring in Sociology and International Relations. In his free time, Isaias is always going to George Washington Community School and the Christamore House, teaching inner-city kids about leadership, and he is always telling them to stay in school and off the streets. He encourages…

Christopher &Amp; Andrew L.

My younger son, Andrew, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He and his older brother, Christopher, have become so involved in fighting this disease by making others aware and raising funds to donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They are my heroes because they make me so proud of them.

Nancy (Mom) R.

At the time of my birth it was found that I had or should I say have a condition known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta and my mother was told I would not live beyond the age of three years. Well, looking back on my life now, at the age of forty-nine, I have to say that I got much of my…

Don G.

Don G., my hero, was a college instructor when I was a freshman in college. Although he did not know me before I was in his speech class, he learned a bit about my interest in radio broadcasting and offered me an opportunity to start, build and eventually manage our college radio station. He gave me the break in life,;…

Nicole D.

She is the most amazing person I have ever met. She is my inspiration, my teacher, my mentor and my friend. She opened my eyes to the world not only because she taught World History, but also because she popped my "small-town-bubble" which closed me off from the world. After meeting her, I finally realized what a wonderful, diverse, and…

Jared M.

My hero is my husband. While stationed in Iraq with the Marines during the 2003 invasion of Baghdad, he left his covered position and ran 400 yards, through enemy and friendly fire, to rescue an Iraqi civilian. Once he reached the man, he had to get both of them back to a safer area, so he picked the man up…

George H.

\r\nMy Dad has been an English teacher for the past 50 years; he now mentors young teachers. I can't tell you how many times former students of his have told me that he was the greatest teacher they ever had.\r\n\r\nGrowing up, my mother didn't work and there were nine kids in our family, so we certainly did not live in…

Dennis D.

My dad is without a doubt my hero. He has always worked extremely hard to give my sister and me the things that he didn't have as a child. My dad is the most selfless person I know - always doing for others and never asking for anything in return. He and my mom put my sister and me through…

Scarlett H.

My hero is my daughter, Scarlett, who at age 4 suffered a spinal cord injury from a car accident. Scarlett, now 11, never lets anything stop her from living her dreams. She has always wanted to dance and be treated like any other dancer. For years, she has attended dance classes, practiced at home, and sought advice on dancing in…

Cliff &Amp; Shannon F.

Cliff and Shannon have adopted three children, all siblings, from a troubled home. These children are all under the age of five and the oldest has autism. Cliff and Shannon love these children unconditionally and are raising them in an environment of security, love and understanding. \r\n\r\nWithout much money or high-paying jobs, Cliff and Shannon struggle mightily to provide for…

Debra H.

My mom always wins the honor of hero for me. She's a three-time cancer survivor, including breast cancer in 1999. Through it all, though, I've never once heard her complain about what she's had to go through. When the rest of our family was upset, I can remember her response: "Don't worry. It ain't but a thing." She has a…

Darius

Darius is my hero. He created a 90-minute documentary film to raise awareness of and money toward a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Darius has DMD, the most aggressive type of Muscular Dystrophy, from which his brother died at age 19. Since then, Darius has searched for a way to let other people know about the disease. Three years…

Greg L.

My hero is my husband Greg. My husband works long, hard hours on the night shift just to give our sons and me a better life. He is a Certified Nursing Assistant at a local hospital and he goes above and beyond his job requirements to make sure that his patients are comfortable, happy, that they feel secure and safe,…

Camryn B.

Camryn is 6-years-old and was impacted by her brother Cooper's amputation of both feet at 23 months old. She wanted to help children like Cooper. Camryn decided to draw a picture, which was later put on a t-shirt and sold to profit Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Cooper was treated at one of these hospitals for free. Camryn raised over $10,000.00…

Monica F.

My hero is my mom. She had me when she was in her teenage years and though she could have had a much easier life if she had given me up, she chose to keep me. She was faced with the difficult issues of being a single parent while finishing high school and college. She is now a very successful…

Thomas T.

My dad has been working for an agency that cares for a large portion of Long Island's mentally retarded community since 1980. When he started out he worked as a direct care counselor in the one and only group home the agency had. He lived next to the group home, cooked dinners, bathed those who could not bathe themselves, and…

Janice A.

Mrs. Attaway teaches pre-algebra and algebra at a local middle school in my town and has taught thousands of students. Sure, she teaches the material that is required by law and makes sure that her students understand that material, but she does so much more than that. First of all, hardly anyone understands math so she teaches the material in…

My Mother

My mother is my hero. She saved me from dying when I was 8 years old. She pushed me out of the way of a speeding car and died saving me. She was only 28 years old. Out of respect and honor for my mom I went to college and got my masters degree in real estate. Now I'm 28…

Scott E.

Scott truly is "passing it on." He volunteers in prisons, providing workshops for prisoners ready to be released back into society. He has given 15,000 pairs of glasses to needy children and is doing a huge 7,000 person event in Utah, in which the proceeds will be distributed to the local churches to provide food and clothing to the needy.…

Kelly L.

My mom is my hero. Why? Because she has taught me all my life lessons. She has been through so much in these past few months, but although she was in a tough situation, she always made sure my siblings and I were okay. She always put herself last and let everyone else come first. She cares about people, and…

Zurriane B.

Zurriane has volunteered his time as a Martial Arts instructor for many years to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For the past nine years he has also volunteered his time as a defense instructor for women and a resisting aggression defense instructor for children. He is also my martial arts instructor and has helped me and many other…

Ann H.

My Grandmother was, and still is, my hero. She gave me all the love and care she could. I love her, and miss her dearly. I love you Grammie.

Clint M.

My hero is my husband. He is a peace pilgrim. He has never missed a day of work in his life. He has only ever had three jobs. He loves me, even when I am unloveable. He considers my son to be his son and raised my son to be like him. He is the most moral, ethical, intelligent man…

Lisa H.

My hero is the most passionate person I have ever met. She is the embodiment of "Do what you love, love what you do." She is a person of greatness...someone I can only hope to be like someday. Lisa is a record holding high school and college athlete and coach. Her story lies in her unbelievable selflessness and compassion. Her…

Will M.

More than anything else, Will gives me hope. He looks for the good and upholds it in others. He serves, he walks his talk. He uplifts people. He takes meaningful action to make the world and the people in it better. He's real and speaks the truth. He has character. He's a good man. He provides meaningful, heart-full information to…

Jim R.

Jim coached a TOPSoccer for kids with special needs. He also started the Prom For The Stars, an annual dance for young adults with disabilities.\r\n\r\nThe Saturday soccer games included snacks and a banquet at the end of the year with special trophies. He found sponsors to help with the Prom and many of the dresses and tuxedos for the young…

Henry M.

My hero is a man named Henry. He has always been the one I can run to in times of need. He has shown me that a father is someone who you can trust and rely on, not necessarily one who helped create you. My mom died unexpectedly when I barely turned 13, and my biological dad has never really…

Cameron A.

My son Cameron, now 13, was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer when he was 11. He has transformed his experience into an opportunity to help others. He is developing a magazine called Brain Candy! as a way to bridge young people living with brain cancer. \r\n\r\nHe writes a weekly blog and does regular video blogs on YouTube. He has…

Marc M.

When I reflect on the word 'hero' I think of my father, Marc. For over 30 years my dad has been an ordained minister serving as a senior pastor in several churches. \r\n \r\nHe has taught me about compassion and the need to serve others before myself. In everything that he does, he strives to be a blessing in others'…

Bob B.

As a young boy, I was quite lonely. Although I had a wonderful mother and a great 'big' sister, I didn't have a dad. My true father died when I was two.\r\n\r\nHowever, a wonderful person came into my life when I was about 5 or 6. He was a young guy of about 19 and he worked in the hardware…

Rose D.

My grandmother is my hero. She was a proud woman that spoke her mind and put on no false pretenses. She was incredibly strong and passionate about her home and the nature around it. You either loved her or hated her...and I loved her. She instilled in me the values of her times and I can't say how much that…

Stanley M.

Four days a week in Hutchinson, Kansas a miracle happens: 200-300 people eat a hot meal. The miracle worker is an unassuming woman named Stanley M. who operates the Christian Soup Ministry. For close to 20 years she's never missed a scheduled day, never run out of food, never turned anyone away…and never accepted so much as a penny of…

Katie W.

One of my heroes, Katie W., was born with one arm and of Asian decent. She grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, and her parents neglected her and did not show her the love she deserved and needed. She was on the first girl's basketball team that I coached. She joined us her 7th grade year and through her…

Leina R.

My mom is amazing to me. She taught me about strength, hard work, and discipline. She became a single parent when I was about 11. I'm the oldest of four children. She worked very hard to provide the best for all of us. She cleaned the Catholic school we went to, so that we could go to school there. She…

Luella H.

My mom, Luella H., who at 86 years young is today, the President of the local seniors' organization and family matriarch. She loved learning and was my foremost teacher. She gave birth to 12 children in 16 years! She is a farmer's wife and a church activist, yet still acquired her GED at 69. Her family tradition was that the…

Nancy H.

One of my heroes in Nancy H. Nancy has been teaching at our local elementary school forever, she tells her students every year that she is 196 years old. Why she is a hero to me is because she is a friend and mentor to my daughter. She was my daughter's 3rd and 4th grade teacher. She encouraged my daughter's…

Phyllis W.

This is about my baby sister, Phyllis W. \r\n\r\nThe youngest of nine children, she was the epitome of the baby in our family. Everyone looked out for her, especially me. We were the closest in age and also best friends. At the age of 35, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 4. She had two small children and was…

Ronald And Lydia J.

My heroes are my grandparents: Ronald and Lydia J. They not only raised me but taught me that character and responsibility are more important than how much money you have, the college degrees you have earned or the job you hold. Your character is the foundation of who you are. As they say, 'the true test of a man is…

Susan B.

A mother. A wife. A friend. Generous beyond expectation and committed to all of the things important in her life.\r\n\r\nSusan B., together with her husband, Mike, raised three sons. All the while, she gave them the spiritual support and guidance they needed, loved them deeply and unconditionally, and found the time to share herself with others.\r\n\r\nIf anyone she knew had…

Ursula G.

Ursula G., 90, my childhood dance teacher. Ursula taught modern dance at Colorado College in Colorado Springs for 40 years.\r\n\r\nI took dance starting at the age of 4. I was a pigeon-toed kid and my feet were corrected in my toddler years. The doctor suggested dance to continue my progress and improve my balance. Ursula was so positive with me…

Vivian R.

My hero, Vivian R., died last July of breast cancer. An older African American woman who never married or had any children, she devoted her life to helping others. I was fortunate enough to have known her for the past 30 years. Since she hired me as young 20 something year old working in the aging field. We came from…

Nick P.

On February 5th, 2003 my cousin Nick, who was 14 at the time, went with his ski club to have a fun afternoon snowboarding. What started out as a fun afternoon quickly turned into a tragic accident as Nick went off an icy jump, not wearing a helmet. He came down on his neck and immediately went unconscious. His friends…

Richard F.

Rich F. was a volunteer fire fighter and Prince George's County Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty on June 27, 2008. Rich was dedicated to his wife, their two small children, and to serving his community. He lived his life with purpose and service. He could always make you smile with his positive attitude. If you…

Oscar N.

My father was the most admirable man I have ever known. He never criticized anything or anyone, never raised his voice, always inspired and uplifted. He saw the positive in everybody and everything.\r\n\r\nWhen I got into trouble as a kid, he would sit me down and talk to me to hear my version of the story and then we would…

Marcus M.

Marcus was a co-worker of mine for many years and I've never seen anyone so devoted to their job. I've often caught myself just watching him interact with customers. He's never met a stranger, and is an overall genuine and good person. He taught me that being cool doesn't mean playing the 'tough guy,' and basically that you get what…

Earl R.

My hero is a person who always puts others before himself. He is always faithful to anything he undertakes and always willing to lend a helping hand. His word is his bond. He always goes above and beyond the call of duty. He works in Human Resources. He gives 110 percent to the project. He is always going the extra…

Henri L.

After surviving the concentration camps of World War II (a situation that could have destroyed one's spirit) Henri came to America and served in our military. Through the G.I. Bill he received an education in the hospitality industry. With success in the hotel business he could have justifiably sat back and enjoyed life. Instead he founded Give Kids the World,…

Kelly K.

Kelly is a one of a kind person. With a heart that she opens to all, Kelly is counted on by many. But what really has set Kelly apart and made her my hero is her non-stop optimism and dedication. Kelly has dedicated her life to helping people, and to helping spread awareness for an array of causes.\r\n\r\nLet me start…

Andrew M.

My hero doesn't have superman's strength or the ability to fly. He has a different kind of strength: the strength to beat all odds, the ability to soar with courage. His name is Andrew. He was a premature baby and was told that he would not make it. He had heart surgery at the age of 13 and now has…

Shawn C.

I met Shawn a few years ago. She is my hero as she is everything I've ever wanted to be. Perfect, no...and doesn't claim to be. She's been challenged with life threatening illness more than once. She is a true miracle. Shawn has more inner strength than anyone I have ever known. She's helped me learn and taught me to…

Travis Pastrana.

In the summer of 2006 I desperately needed help. I was racked with worry. I was entering my 19th year of teaching in public education and I knew this would be one of the most difficult classes I would encounter. This class was well behaved, but most of them were not very motivated, especially when it came to school. \r\n\r\nI…

My Friend

In my late 30's a friend of mine died of cancer. She fought for 6 years and suffered through numerous treatments. In my late forties I was told I had cancer. For two weeks I kept it to myself. I had decided not to fight it. I told no one. \r\n\r\nOne night while chatting with a friend on line I…

Rachel Joy Scott

She changed the world by being nice to others and believing in them. But most of all she is my big sister in JC. She was not afraid to live her faith to the fullest. I am so proud of her....

Deanna M.

Deanna McLemore, my mother, has given selflessly to our small farm community for over 45 years. As a nurse she has touched the lives of most families in the county, either caring for their elderly parents, their children, or anyone in between. She has given up time on the weekends and in the evenings, always off the clock, to go…

Amanda G.

Ms. G. teaches everyone to love who they are and she has never judged anyone. She is a very talented teacher and mentor. Ms. G. is not afraid to do anything. She's always willing to defeat fear. \r\n\r\nShe's always there for anyone who needs to talk. And she's always willing to give another chance. She truly wants everyone to get…

Erin B.

Erin B. has taught me that you don't have to be fake or selfish to be popular with your peers. She has come into my life and taught me how to be a better friend and a better person. She brightens every room she walks into, and makes a new friend with everyone she greets with a "Hello."

Richard O.

Richard and his wife (Myra) have been teachers in some way all their lives. They have helped in ways we only wish people would really take time and effort to do. Without expectation of any return, they have touched so many lives, old and young, by their constant giving of themselves and making people feel good about themselves. They also…

Hope W.

Hope is a nurse currently working in Darfur with Doctors Without Borders assisting women and children in a clinic camp. Hope wears many hats as she works with cases of trauma/childbirth/rehabilitation; not to mention the general well being and survival of those she touches. She is my hero.

Patricia S.

My mother-in-law is my hero. She is the type of person who always sees the best in people. She never has a bad word to say about anyone. She has the patience of a saint and she always makes time for her family and friends. When I came into the family she welcomed me with open arms and never asked…

Doris G.

In the late 1970's, Carroll Park was a block of crime and dirty deeds in inner city Philadelphia, so bad that one could not pass through during the daytime. But one day, a group of residents decided to change that. They entered the park ready to change it for the better. With paintbrushes, rakes, brooms, and determination as their tools,…

Daniel G.

My hero was the first born to a migrant share cropper and wife. His father passed away when he was six and he was left to help his mother with three younger sisters and one on the way. The youngest of the three died and when the baby was born, she died as well. Both died of starvation. He fought…

Jim And Marti D.

As a new parent, I hope to inspire my child the way my own parents (Jim and Marti) have continued to inspire, advocate, and support my dreams. Over the past thirty-years, my parents have stood by my side and motivated me to become the women I am today.

American Red Cross

I spent the last 2 weeks serving on the disaster relief operation for Hurricane Ike. While this is not my first with the ARC, I stand in awe of the tireless dedication of many other volunteers. \r\n\r\nSome of these have spent a significant portion of their life serving their country in times of disaster. One such gentlemen was on his…

David R.

David is my daddy. Today is his 74th birthday. He is my hero. Daddy adopted me, my younger sister and my little brother, when I was 12 years old. There is something very special about a parent that will take on someone else's children, shower them with love and raise them up as their own.\r\n\r\nMy dad's first wife passed away…

Jason L.

My daddy is my hero. I think he is the best dad in the world. An example of this would be the first time I rode a bike: Crash Boom Bang! I had a very bad wreck! He hustled to me into the house at a very high speed and totally took care of me. He picked me up and…

Rachel S.

My hero is Rachel Scott. She was killed in the Columbine shooting, the first one killed. \r\n\r\nBefore she died, she always made sure to included everyone and anybody in whatever she did. She helped numerous kids before they hurt themselves. \r\n\r\nBecause of her example, I am in the program Rachel's Challenge. Compassion, pass it on.

Lou A.

I have worked with Lou for 11 years. Even though he is over 15 years younger than me, I consider him to be my mentor. He is wise beyond his years. He has taught me and my co-workers positive values for living that have made our lives richer in so many ways.\r\n\r\nBasic values, like:\r\nHow to treat people\r\nHow to dig inside…

Ken C.

Ken has taught me a lot. He has taught me to have a positive attitude, to never give up, and to work for everything. Kevin is the Principle at my middle school. He has encouraged us to Watch the Foundation for a Better Life videos everyday in advisory. He also has made my life easier from the first day I…

Anonymous Hero

I don't know my hero by name or even remember his face. He's one of those unnamed and unsung people who do a good deed not for the recognition but because it's the right thing to do. \r\n\r\nI was 16 years old, going through possibly one of the hardest times of my young life, sitting in the passenger seat of…

Daniel D.

My hero is my husband. He is an amazing man, especially to me. We have been married 33 years and his example of showing love is unsurpassed. He is always kind, courteous, patient, and giving. He is very courageous when confronted with difficult situations. He helps guide people to improve their lives and inspires them to improve their character. He…

Cheryl R.

Cheryl is my mother. She has always been there for me, supporting me in everything I do. She is just a great and loving mom. One day i want to be like her. I love my mom.

Monte R.

Monte R. is my dad and he has made a huge difference in the first 13 years of my life. He has helped me throughout life and through hard ships. He has never given up on me and has always done what is best for me. If I were to pick anybody to be my hero and help in the…

Kaitlin W.

Kaitlin is my sister. She inspires me to be the best athlete I can be. She accepted a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama to be a gymnast. She worked hard every day to be one of the best gymnasts in the world. She was a gymnast from the time when she was 6 years old to…

Bobby B.

Bobby is my baseball team's coach. He has shared his life stories and influenced me in every way he can. He has encouraged me to take a better path than he took in some areas, and he has always tried to make my life better for me. He has the character of a true leader and the heart for the…

Ashley L.

My hero is my sister, Ashley. From the moment I was born she has set a good example for me and has shown me how to do the right thing. She cares about my family and others a lot and is great at showing compassion and reaching out to those in need. She has followed through with her goals and…

Brandyn G.

My hero is my brother. Although he is no longer alive he is still my hero. He wasn't my real brother, he was actually my foster brother but he treated me as if I was his 'real' sister all the same. He passed away at the age of seventeen. At the time he was working a full time job and…

Mr. Whatley.

I was a nine-year-old fourth grader and that fight on the school bus was just the latest in about four years of them. However, with one exception, it was my last. Mr. Whatley saw to that.\r\n\r\nMr. Whatley was the Principal of a new elementary school in a new (1954) subdivision in an old North Georgia county seat. Textiles and paper…

Tam L.

Tam is a refugee survivor who traveled across the ocean to get to safety. He first landed in Thailand, then Cambodia. Tam then later migrated to the USA. He worked hard as a bus boy and had only a bicycle as a means of transportation to and from both work and school. When Tam first arrived here he did not…

Prem R.

My hero's name is Prem. He has created the Prem Rawat Foundation to show solidarity with people in need and suffering from lack of water, food or natural disasters. At the same time he spreads good values and appreciation for life by traveling around the world to deliver very inspiring talks. That's how I came to know Prem. I met…

Ramon R.

Ramon Ramos is a retired National Basketball Association player originally from Puerto Rican. He studied in Puerto Rico at Colegio San Jose and in the United States at Seton Hall where he is now a basketball legend. \r\n\r\nRamos began to play in 1985 for the Indios de Canovanas franchise. At first he sat the bench but eventually he became one…

Lacy C.

My fiancée Lacy is my hero. She is determined and confident, no matter what anyone says. She is strong, both emotionally and physically. Lacy is a very persistent individual, and does not let any thing anyone says get her down. She is strong willed and always does what is right. Lacy is an honest to God angel. She is protective…

Larry S.

Larry is a resident in Greenwich Village and he spends almost all of his day collecting money for various causes and organizations; for example, The Fight Against AIDS. He does all of this despite his mild mental retardation.\r\n\r\nLarry has raised over $10,000 for local charities over the years. Larry is very persistent. When he goes to the doctor for a…

Crystal R.

Throughout the course of the two years in high school which I have completed, there have been numerous occasions in which I was depressed because I felt like I had nobody who cared for me. During these times I have turned to three individuals for guidance and comfort. Their names are Crystal, Cherisse, and Kristine. They have made an impact…

Joseph S.

My husband Joseph Shipp Jr. was my hero. He died at age 32 in a hit and run accident that left me on my own with our three wonderful boys. He was always there for me and the boys. \r\n\r\nHe cared for others by helping them get their cars fixed, so they would have transportation. He was a man of…

Roberta S.

This is a story about my Aunt Bobby. She was the most loved person I ever knew. As a boy I remember visiting her and her husband Bob, son Randy and daughter Patty at their Gross Pointe home in Michigan. I arrived one summer after school had let out. I found a family filled with love and a home that…

My Dad

My hero is my dad. He passed away two years ago and yet it still feels just like yesterday he was here. He died of cirrhosis of the liver. It was hard watching him slowly fading away. He'd been to the hospital before but always came out. Until this day I had always thought of this as a dream. A…

Kelli

My sister, Kelli, is my hero. She has overcome a lifetime of hardships including physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse and poverty. Today, she is a clean and sober single mother of five daughters. Though she works full time and takes phenomenal care of her 5 children, she still finds time on the holidays to take plates of food to…

Naomi D.

My hero is a girl I know at work. She started there about 6 months ago after being out of work for over a year. She has some developmental and learning differences that make it hard for her to do math and cash registers, so she couldn't get hired in a lot of places, particularly in retail. But she's told…

Ryan

My hero is my husband Ryan. He is my best friend. \r\n\r\nWe have been together for over 8 years and we also have been apart for a long time because we lived on two different continents before we got married. Ryan is the most wonderful person I have ever met. He is always very committed to what he does –…

Jude M.

Not a week goes by that we do not hear how Jude inspires others to have a good attitude now matter what circumstance they are in. She lives by taking a chemotherapy everyday called cellcept. Less than one tenth of one percent of the nation suffers from her disease—pulmonary fibrosis, an autoimmune disease. It is rare for it to enter…

Sonny H.

After clicking nearly all of the values below, I realized how much my former boss, mentor, and friend is a hero to not just myself, but everyone he interacts with. Sonny puts together academic programs at a huge California university campus. \r\n\r\nSonny's favorite program is in July, and he especially loves the teens who attend on scholarships. He literally will…

Karen

Karen is sick with an "incurable" form of cancer. Her now ex-husband lost all their money in day trading. One of her two adopted children has a learning disability that may never allow him to live alone. \r\n\r\nStill, instead of feeling sorry for herself, a victim, or helpless, Karen started her own business and is taking care of herself and…

Melissa C.

My hero is my history teacher. She has been an inspiration to so many people. She lives on a pretty meager teacher's salary yet donates over half of it to charity foundations. She hasn't done anything particularly extraordinary that I know of. But she doesn't have to. Her values and her character make me want to be exactly like her.…

Wanda M.

My mother has been there through thick and thin. She was a single mother of me and my big sister. Working hard and still showing us great values. Then she re-married and had my baby sister. It was really rough for the family to go through so much change. I wanted to run away from everything that was happening around…

Ryan And Cindy K.

In 2002, Ryan Kerr was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. His mother, Cindy Kerr, began making pillowcases to brighten up his hospital room and to put a smile on his face. He loved it and she began making pillowcases for other children with cancer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. \r\n\r\nRyan was a most remarkable young man. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma…

Great Grandma Condie

My hero is my great grandma Condie. To her life was always about the people. It was never about what she could get out of it, but about how she could help others and bring sunshine into someone's day. It never mattered who it was, she was always willing to help and visit with a person if only to make…

Elizabeth G.

My grandmother, Elizabeth, is my hero. She has taught me to never give up on my dreams or myself and has always been there for me when times have been tough. \r\n\r\nAs my husband and I continue our journey to try once again to become parents, I am inspired and motivated by the dedication she had in this same process.…

Diane H.

My grandmother, Diane, is the strongest and most beautiful woman to ever walk the face of the Earth. Everyone in the family referred to her as Maw Diane; she was a beautiful lady inside and out, and never had an enemy. On October 23rd, her 55th birthday, my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. In just 4 weeks, the…

Juana Betty Z.

My mother was and still is my hero. She came to the USA because she believed in the American dream. She worked hard day and night to give us, her six children, the life she could only dream of. She taught us to love and forgive and to never give up! She would help anyone that needed help by giving…

Maysie Aveline H.

Her children and grandchildren called her "Mama"; the great- and great-great grandchildren called her "Nanny", but when any of us think of love and kindness, hers is the face that comes to mind. This beautiful woman could always find something to love and praise about anyone she met. She had a hard life, but never complained, never said unkind things…

Davida M.

Davida didn't have many positive examples in her life as a child. Like so many urban children, Davida fell victim to growing up in a family where drugs and addictions were promoted more than attending school. After 14 different arrests for drug related crimes, Davida M decided her children and grand children deserved a chance at living outside of our…

Martin T.

My hero is my father. He has taught me not only by words, but more importantly, by example to always be true to yourself. To love God first, to put others before yourself, and that love has the most impact. His impact means the most to me, because he did not just teach me these things, but he lived them.…

Danielle M.

The story of my hero is one of a person having to do what's right no matter how hard it is. Danielle is a senior at Deep Run High School. One night she was on her way to a party when she was notified that there were illegal activities going on there. When she was told this she didn't shrug…

Ben Z.

At a crucial time in my life, I felt compelled to make changes. The empathy in me was sickened by the pettiness of my casual day to day customers, complaining incessantly about color schemes. I decided that there are bigger things in the world that I could be expending my time on. I applied at a homeless shelter. Ben Z…

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…

Barbara B.

Barbara is 76 years young. She has gone to school almost every day of her life. She convinced me and a few of my colleagues to go back to school to get our degrees. Two years ago,I crossed the stage to accept my Baccalaureate. I was 53. Barbara still works with adult students who have gone back for their High…

Karla W.

My Hero is my mother,Karla, she was the one who made sure I had the right values and morals whether it be in life or other circumstances. She taught me the art of caring and appreciating things you already have like family , house , etc...

Pamela B.

The person that is my hero is someone that a lot of people chose, but I feel that she is truly different from every one else; my Mom. She's taught me a lot of the things I know today, and if she hadn't I wouldn't be as successful as I am or be able to do a lot of the…

Hgh W.

My heroes all have my last name. They are the Warners of the last generation. My uncle Howard taught me the meaning of living each day. Uncle George taught me the value of knowledge and learning, and finally, my father, Henry, who continues to teach me the value of an honest day's work, even into his 80's. Throughout my life,…

Fred R.

I'm speaking about Mr. Rogers. With this gentle manners, he taught kids that it's OK go be angry, but handle your anger in a positive way. He started Mr. Rogers Neighborhood from seeing the emerging banality of TV and after the presidential candidate Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. He's an ordained minister and never was preachy nor dogmatic. That's…

Jeff A.

Mr. A was the principal of my middle school and one of the most kind, upstanding and grateful people I have ever known. He treated silly middle school drama and tears with laughter, compassion and patience that only someone who truly cared about his students could muster. His solution for a fight between friends was a break from class to…

Bill W.

Started AA in 1935. He took a risk and asked for help from another alcoholic. In doing so, got sober and helped millions of others.

Tara S.

My cousin Tara is my hero. She has brain cancer... and three young children. And also an alcoholic and abusive husband. Somehow, she has pushed through all this and has been the most amazing cousin I could ask for. I love her with all my heart and I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Clarence H.

My parents are my heroes. At a time when most of the population was prejudice towards black people, one of my father's friends was a black man he worked with. My dad was a truck driver and his friend was a mechanic. I remember going to his house with my parents and seeing my school picture on his wall along…

Jerry T.

My daddy was and will always be my hero. My daddy taught me my whole life that ethics, morals, and effort are all you need to succeed. I have learned that those lessons taught to me are true. I learned it best when I realized that not only were the lessons taught verbally, but also from my daddy's example. My…

Kora H.

My grandmother will blow out 107 candles on her next birthday, and she is an inspiration to many. She is always looking forward, always giving, always sharing, and always planning for tomorrow. She lives as if she is forever young, turning life's stumbling blocks into stepping stones along the way. Read about her at korashouse on the web. She exemplifies…

Jim R.

Jim has inspired me to bring my life to a new level of thinking, being and understanding. If it wasn't for him, I would not have developed my personal sense of awareness and the profound effects I have on the people around me. Thanks Jim, RIP.

Bessie "Ma Kelly" K.

My grandmother used to own a restaurant when I was younger. She had about 16 kids herself and never had much money but when the opportunity came for her to work for herself she did. She was a strong Christian woman. All of her food was southern home-cooked food and she would set it up as a buffet for her…

Forrest L.

THIS MAN IN MY LIFE My mother rocked me and held me tight She bathed me and fed me and kissed me good night She made me feel loved and safe and secure Her love was a love so infinitely pure But she wasn’t the only one there for me There was a man in my life taking care of…

Gregg B.

My hero is Gregg Breinberg the founder of the NY PS22 chorus from Staten Island. The way that he has taught, inspired and compelled the children he teaches to be comfortable as the amazing kids that they are, expressing themselves through song -- in front of millions, is simply breathtaking to me. He has inspired me to try and start…

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The Foundation for a Better Life began as a simple idea to promote positive values. We believe that people are basically good and just need a reminder. And that the values we live by are worth more when we pass them on.

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