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
PERSISTENCE
A STRANGE EXAMPLE Is it strange to tell a story about a cat? I know cats don't have the higher moral capabilities humans are said to posses, but my cat is nothing if not persistent. And he's always pleasant about it. When he's ready to get up, he'll let you know. And if you don't get up, he'll persist in trying to wake you until...
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FORGIVENESS
CHOOSING TO FORGIVE No one likes to talk about forgiveness, because for most people I think it has a religious connotation. But the dictionary definition of "forgive" is "to stop feeling angry or resentful towards something." And I'm sure many people have managed to do that. I know I have, and I know how hard it is. To let go of...
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DEDICATION
THE COWBOY WAY My father is fond of a phrase: "That would be the easy way, but it wouldn't be the cowboy way." And while it sounds a little nonsensical, you have to understand that my dad grew up watching Roy Rogers on TV. And Roy Rogers could always be counted on. Dad is no cowboy - he's lived in the suburbs his whole life -...
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HARD WORK
BOPPA My mother's father (not "Grandpa," but "Boppa")is turning 81 in a month. He's been a farmer his entire life, and thinks nothing of lifting bales, laying irrigation pipe, or rolling under a machine to fix it. Rain or shine, he gets up early, has breakfast, and goes out to do the day's work. He's never thought of...
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GENEROSITY
A SMALL FIRE A friend had invited me to dinner at his new house. Right before I was due to arrive, he tried out the gas fireplace, which caused the insulation in the attic to ignite. When I got there, the roof was in flames, four fire engines were at work, and there were people standing around, watching. My friend found me...
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VISION
JUSTIN F In 1998, at 2-1/2 years old, Justin was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Justin was an energetic little boy that didn't let his diseases get in his way of having fun. In many ways he was your typical toddler, running around, getting into trouble and testing everybody's limits. On the...
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VISION
JACK O Jack is 36 and has ALS - a fatal disease of the motor neurons which causes paralysis of the voluntary muscles of the body. When Jack was diagnosed, the neurologist told him there was nothing that he could do since there is no treatment or cure for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). At that point, Jack...
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HUMILITY
MARSHA G The influence of Marsha undoubtedly is a timely masterpiece that has become a benchmark classic in community upliftment. A leader with the spirit of a forerunner, a nation builder, a risk taker like no other I know, she definitely breaks the mould of poverty. A first rate communicator that restores countless...
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UNITY
LACEY C Lacey stood up and told her story. "It was our chance to be in the championship game the next day. If we lost, we'd be automatically eliminated from the competition. It just so happened that our regular coach, Bird, couldn't make it because she had to coach another event. So we had to have another staff member...
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TRUST
ROBERT W Mr. W. was my P.E. teacher and basketball coach. When he arrived at my school, I was going into year 9 and heavily lacking direction. I was part of a big social group which involved a lot of mischief and I was easily lead into situations that would get me into a lot of trouble. one day, when we were in a fitness...
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PEACE
DARRYL O Darryl is a remarkable young man in which I have been very blessed to come across with in my life. He is a very hardworking and dedicated man who has devoted his life to helping others. Darryl currently works with special needs children and has become friends with my special needs son. He is a person who see...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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.
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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HELPING OTHERS
CRAIG H I would like to nominate my husband as a hero, not only because he is a wonderful husband, but also because he is a great friend. Craig is a high school History teacher, basketball coach, student advisor and shooting team coach. He is also active in his community though his church and local fire department. He is...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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STRENGTH
BARBARA B My mother is my greatest hero! In 2000 she was diagnosed with metastasis cancer and told by her oncologist that she wouldn't see the end of the year. I was 16 and an awful teenager at the time. Not only did she straighten me out, but she still fights cancer to this very day. Emotionally and physically, she is the...
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STRENGTH
VICKI M He died when I was 10 - he committed suicide. I remember when my mum told me, I was playing the computer and a policeman came to our door and knock. Mum went out and the man said something, then mum started to cry. That was when I remember thinking 'something's happened to dad.' Mum has always said that she was...
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RESPECT
DR. SUZANNE B-L Dr. B-L is a Professor of History in New Mexico. The strength she has exhibited in her classroom is amazing. She has an unbelievable passion for teaching, learning, and living and has more than earned the respect her students have for her. While teaching a few years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer....
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STRENGTH
CINDY H Cindy is a mother of two deaf children who were diagnosed with a disease that causes them to have seizures. So along with caring for her two children she takes the time out of her day to run a club that helps women and children in distress along with being the deaf and hard-of-hearing. While not volunteering for...
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COURAGE
DARLEEN W "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do," is what Eleanor Roosevelt once said. I am not sure of the context in which she spoke these words, but had she known my mother, they would have...
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COURAGE
ABRAM P Abram is my husband and my hero. He's a New Orleans Police Officer who has been through so much. Yet still, he stays strong, courageous and dedicated. His job has always been tough. He works in the most crime-stricken parts of New Orleans and he has to deal with a lot of traumatic situations - shootings, abuse,...
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CHARACTER
MINNIE MAE B My hero is 92 years young. She has the vigor and wit of a person in their seventies. Her charm and personality have won the hearts of family and friends for many years. Today she is the neighborhood queen for four young boys between the ages of four and ten years of age. She bakes cookies and gives them candy in...
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HELPING OTHERS
JILLIAN B I want to nominate my friend Jillian. A few years ago, Jillian overcame her battle with cancer. Since then, she has been on a mission to help others using her skills and gifts as an athlete. Jillian was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun before she got sick, but after she got well, Jillian began...
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CHARACTER
ASHLEY T My niece Ashley inspires me every single day. She was born four months premature. We were told she wouldn't make it and if she did that she would suffer brain damage. She's now 19 and let me just tell you, she has no brain damage. She's very smart! A straight 'A' student all through school. She has a terrific...
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SACRIFICE
SHAWN LEE C I love my mom with all my heart and she has a great soul and spirit. She has been through a lot in life but she never gives up. People try to bring her down but she stays above them. My mother is my inspiration and hope. I love her so much and appreciate her so much. I just wish there was a way to show her how...
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GENEROSITY
AMBIE E Ambie is my hero because she is the nicest person that I know. She is always looking out for others and trying to help everyone in any way she can. She's always doing charity work and attending church events. Which I find amazing how she finds time between volunteering at local animal shelters and disability...
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COMPASSION
JEANNE N Jeanne is a high school teacher at a local high school, and head of the student volunteer group, Project SHARE. For the past seventeen years, she has been bringing students into New York City to distribute bag lunches, blankets and clothing to the homeless. Many of the homeless in New York City know Jeanne or...
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APPRECIATION
PATRICK D Throughout all my life my father, Patrick, has taught me to share whatever I have with others. Even through family death and bankruptcy, he never changed his character. Every time my friends visit the house, my father is always the first to offer them gifts or help. While Patrick doesn't have much, he enjoys what...
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GENEROSITY
LOIS AND BILL C Bill is a retired engineer. Lois, Bill's wife, has been a homemaker. They are fairly ordinary people with little notable achievements. Yet they remain my heroes. When he turned 18, Bill was drafted to serve in Korea from 1948 t 1949 as an Army engineer. He was lucky enough to leave Korea before the Korean War...
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HELPING OTHERS
ELAINE N Elaine is a 34-year-old single mother to over 50 children. She has one biological child, four adopted children, 3 of which have disabilities, and she has been a foster mother to over 50 kids including me. At the age of 24, she became a foster parent and began taking in teenagers nobody wanted. One of those...
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