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
RESPECT
TAKING THE TIME TO ACTUALLY APPRECIATE AND LISTEN... I have always wanted to share this story because it is one of the things that I will remember for my entire life and I’m sure the other person feels the same. We had a substitute teacher in my high school World History class. This lady was very nice and seemed excited to see us. She told a story about when her...
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PERSEVERANCE
DALE D Dale was in the army during the first Gulf War. He was on the front lines. He doesn't talk much about what he did. When he got back he got married. In less than a year from getting married he was told he had MS. He is now 37 and fully disabled from the MS. They have determined the war caused it. He has only one...
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HELPING OTHERS
MY FELLOW MAN Our present economic debacle succeeded in thrusting me into the dark place which is an all out struggle to maintain the mere fundamentals of survival. I began to know fear intimately on a moment to moment basis. It was easy to be cynical about the world. To blame various politicians and complain bitterly about...
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HELPING OTHERS
GREG S I was at O'Hare Airport to find my business flight had been delayed by over two hours. While sitting at the gate I noticed that an elderly Japanese couple that seemed confused, as their flight had been changed to another terminal. The gate agent didn't speak Japanese. The couple could read English but could not...
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HELPING OTHERS
UNKNOWN My wife and I were on vacation in France. We got on to the wrong expressway heading south out of Paris. We stopped to ask directions from a young 20 year old eating lunch under a shade tree. He didn't know English and I didn't know French, but he motioned for me to follow him. He drove 15-20 minutes through...
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COURAGE
GOLDA M She was a Jewish woman who supported the rights of Jews everywhere, and believed in the existence of a safe state. She voiced her opinions in a sea of opposition, and was not afraid. She seemed fearless, determined, focused on millions with a will to thrive in a precarious world. She is a role model for me,...
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OVERCOMING
GLADYS S My mother is a breast cancer survivor, overcame any obstacles that came into her life, and had the strength to raise her four children on her own. She has all the characteristics of a hero: strength, courage, and determination.
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LOVE
MICHELL W My mom was put through many things with my dad, but she came through and my dad changed. Our family is still together and doing well but around two months ago my mom was diagnosed with a rare type of mouth cancer and it has been very challenging. Through all this she has loved us with all her heart and has kept...
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COURAGE
JOSH & YOU This foundation and Josh Groban have become some of my heroes! In July, my beloved husband of 45 years passed away quite suddenly. In the two days prior to his death, the song “You Raise Me Up” played over and over in my mind, reminding me of the strength and courage my husband had demonstrated throughout his...
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PERSEVERANCE
NEVER GIVE UP “Kenia Lobo: Window Twelve.” My stomach flipped. “Why do you want to return to the U.S.A?” the consulado asked me. “I need to go back to school and then attend college,” I responded. Staring down at my documents he said, “Your application is on file. This is a long process. There is no guarantee you will be...
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LOVE
DAN S My hero is a man who has spent his life in the defense of others. He is a soldier, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, but most importantly he is my husband. He has become an amazingly wonderful part of a life less lived. When we met, I hardly thought this wonderful man would ever want to be part of...
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HUMILITY
MICHAEL P My hero was born on July 27, 2000. My son, Michael, was born with Hunter Syndrome and scoliosis. He lived to be 7 years old. There are so many things he taught me, but most of all he showed me humility. He underwent 7 surgeries by the time he was 2 years old. He rarely complained, even when he was hospitalized...
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INSPIRATION
TORY L To think of who has inspired me the most in life one name comes to mind, Yogi. The man who created me, gave me my name, my best and truest friend in life, my father. As a kid I earned the nickname "Shadow" from family friends because we were always together, stuck like glue. From childhood, all of my greatest...
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INSPIRATION
MY GRANDSON I am the father of a step-daughter, now aged 21 who I consider my real daughter. Three years ago, she became pregnant by a boy her age who I really didn't approve of. All I could think of was how I had raised my children, and didn't want to go through this again. My wife and I had both been previously married and...
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CHARACTER
ROBERT C When I hear the term "Hero," I immediately think of one man, and that is my father. Recently, my father was diagnosed with Stage 1 Skin Caner, and although the illness is non-life-threatening, I started to think about how scary it would be to lose someone who meant so much to me and my community. My father is a...
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
WANDA S Wanda is a foster parent with Northeast Parent and Child Society. She makes a difference everyday as she cares for children that need a safe and loving home to live in. She has been fostering a very medically fragile child for the past 4 years. She is fully committed and dedicated to this child and her life...
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GRATITUDE
EACH ONE HELP ONE My husband and I, grateful for our own circumstances, met a young woman and her baby son 16 years ago. They had a rented room, but not much support in their lives. We were childless. We moved to a bigger house and became a family. The woman was able to get off of public assistance, get some experience and get a...
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CHARACTER
DR. GERALD G My father taught me about faith, compassion and integrity. He was a man who spoke not one negative word about a person. He exemplified professionalism. He allowed me to grow into a man without judging me. Thanks to him I have the confidence I do and continue to believe in myself.
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APPRECIATION
KATIE U I am a single mother of two children. I had been divorced for a year and struggled to make ends meet when I stopped by a girlfriends office to run errands with her on her lunch break. I was leaving the office when her secretary followed me out. She had overheard me tell my friend that I had two gifts each for my...
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PERSEVERANCE
PETRINA W Petrina came from a less then advantaged life and during her childhood and teenage years made choices that would seemed to have ruined her life, at best. She decided to take control of her life and change for the better. Petrina is now a wonderful mother, wife and Christian with a heart to help others. She gives...
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HELPING OTHERS
RICHARD A My Dad was very involved in the lives of his children. He was a volunteer on the Cub Scout and Scout committees for our church. He wanted the best education for his children so he ran for and was elected to the School Board in our district. He always went to school, church, and scout events. He used his...
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INTEGRITY
PAUL R He managed a hotel in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. I have never met him, but I am in awe of Paul Rusesabagina's integrity, courage and honor!
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TRUE BEAUTY
JEAN L My hero is my mother, Jean. She is one of the most special, kind, loving, and wonderful people that you will ever meet. There are actually no words to summarize her beauty, intelligence and love. You couldn't find a better mother, grandmother, wife, or friend. She can do anything she sets her mid to and does it...
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COURAGE
UNKNOWN I will never know the name of my hero. He was a holocaust survivor who I met in a random garden in a resort in Israel. I met him at a time when I was terribly unsure of my next move and was asking for a sign from God. I am sure he was it. I was with my best friend in a secluded garden and he happened to pass by...
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COMPASSION
NATHAN C My son's best friend, Chris, lived with his divorced mom. Sam (the mom) was very good to him and the dad invited Chris and my son to travel with him on wonderful, exotic vacations over the years. When they were in 12th grade, Sam was diagnosed with liver cancer. My son was so well loved by the family, that when...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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CARING
CATHERINE S My hero is one of the bravest and kindest people I've ever known. Not only has she recently recovered from a quintuple coronary bypass but she is currently battling macular degeneration. My Mom at 83 is the one people go to for help and guidance. Throughout her life, she has been the heart of our family and a...
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CARING
ALEX V My youngest son died in a car accident the day after my birthday 2 years ago at the age of 20. Even though I do christian counseling, I was never prepared for this. After helping family & friends get through the grieving process, I was was on empty. His best friend was at my side at my son's funeral, and has...
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COMPASSION
RAVEN G Raven is my Pastor. She is one of the most giving people I have ever known. Though I live 120 miles from the church, Raven is always there. I can always call her & ask her to look in on someone from home in the hospital where she is. You NEVER feel alone when Raven is with you.
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LOVE
JESSEE B My daughter-in-law was in stage 5 renal failure, desperately in need of a kidney. My son (her husband) had always been a donor but as a result of a automobile accident he passed away from multiple organ failures in 2007. BNSF railroad did a article on our family and the desperate need of a donor. We live in...
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HELPING OTHERS
BARRY F My husband, Barry Fishman, is an extraordinary man who does extraordinary things every day. He is no stranger to tragedy, yet he has incredible strength and courage, and is an inspiration to many, many people. He is honest, sincere, compassionate, generous and thoughtful. He is definitely a hero. I met my...
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GRATITUDE
CHRISTMAS TOYS Last year around Christmas time I was watching T.V. when there was a knock at our door. I opened the door and no one was there. But there was a box filled with wrapped gifts for my children. Thank you it meant so much to my family♥
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FRIENDSHIP
MY NEW BFF When I was in high school I had a class with a girl that I didn’t know very well. One day at the train stop we started talking and exchanged numbers. As I got to know her better I found out that she and her family had been homeless for a long time. My house was really small and my mom didn’t allow me to invite...
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