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
COURAGE
JESSICA WATSON My story is short, Jessica Watson is a 16 year old girl from Australia who just sailed around the world by herself. Her journey took 7 months during which, she faced severe storms and conditions. She made it home safe and sound and is definitely a huge inspiration!
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CHARITY
ANGELS AMONG US I am a receptionist at a specialist doctors office and am responsible for checking patients in and collecting payment due "at the time of service." One day I explained our office policy to a new patient and let her know that we would collect payment upon check out since charges couldn't be assessed until she'd...
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LOVE
A "WILD" PROPOSAL It took just a year of dating to know my Julie was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of eternity with. It being our one-year anniversary, I felt the time was right to pop the question. As she and I fell in love through our involvement in a church play, I sought yet another stage on which to seal the...
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DO YOUR PART
DOING THE RIGHT THING! As we drove up to our grandchildren's home, we saw our three teenage grandchildren and one of their friends emptying the back of their truck. They were discarding stinky garbage from the back of the truck into their garbage can. "Can you believe it, someone just threw a huge sack of garbage into our neighbor's...
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INSPIRATION
TRUE HEROISM A soldier walks down the steps from the front entrance of a huge military transport. At the bottom of the steps are journalists and reporters with flashing cameras and microphones. "Your son nominated you and you won the contest. You are officially America's hero." "If I am a hero, it is only because I stand in...
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REACHING OUT
THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER On my 17th birthday I received the best present ever. I grew up getting everything I ever wanted. I received clothes, electronics, 2 trips to Europe but nothing could compare to this one gift. I went to my chorus class and my friends had a cake for me. I was content. A girl named Emily walked into the room and...
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SPORTSMANSHIP
BASE HIT OF A LIFETIME I wanted to share a very special moment that my 11 year old son Brain gave a group of 40-50 kids and parents last night at our baseball game in Churchville, NY. Brian was pitching late in the game and we were winning 7-5. Bases loaded, 2 outs, it was getting dark and it was about to rain. A boy named Nathan...
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INSPIRATION
LIFE CHANGING Over the last week, I’ve had a few conversations about life changing events. The funny thing about life changing events is that they are different for every person. Sometimes they are the big WOW moments, maybe just getting out of debt, an epiphany, could be winning the lottery, a death, or just meeting a...
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LIVE LIFE
THE DANCE - WHO'S LEADING? I’m everywhere but can’t be seen. I can bring you comfort or knock you off your feet. I have the ability to create power or knock it totally out. What am I?... The Wind! On two different occasions recently, I’ve been at the same intersection downtown and watched the wind whipping off the side of one of the...
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TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
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...
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AMBITION
ANDREW S This is about my best friend who taught me lessons I desperately needed to learn, inspired me, and helped me find strength after one of the lowest points of my life. According to the Commission on Domestic Violence, 25% of women are abused by a significant other each year. I now have the strength to admit, I...
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LOVE
CHRISTINA C My hero is my mommy. She has always been there for me, even when she's tired and times are rough, and I can see giving up in her eyes. Does she give up though? Nope. Sure, most moms are like that, but to me, my mom is one of the only people in my life who keeps going and helps other people along the way....
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COURAGE
CAMILLE D My mother: A single mom, during WWII doing the best she could to make a life for us on $8.00 a week. I can only pray that I will be able to muster her courage, should I need too. We had our differences, but I loved her with every fiber of my being. My Hero, my Mother!
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
WILL A A new movement is sprouting up in America's low-income neighborhoods. Some urban residents, sick of fast food and the scarcity of grocery stores, have decided to grow good food for themselves. One of the movement's towering icons is Will Allen, 62, of Milwaukee's Growing Power Inc. His main 2-acre Community Food...
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COURAGE
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE My wife Elin is a survivor of teen dating violence—which means she was in a relationship with someone very controlling. Almost two years ago she shared with me her desire to share her story in hopes that by doing so she would help other teens, parents, and survivors. Together with my children, we have been...
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ENCOURAGEMENT
DARLENE L My hero is my mother. After she and my father gave birth to their second son, they decided to become foster parents because they wanted more children but knew there were already too many children in the world without families. For over 40 years, they have cared for over 100 children! Why? She truly loved...
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HELPING OTHERS
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS We were moving to a new state after my husband had been out of work for many months and we had no money. In fact, we had to borrow money to reach our destination town. Anyway, it was my husband, 2 boys ages 4 and 2, and myself, 7 months pregnant, in an old Volvo station wagon. We had been driving for 2 days in...
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BELIEVE
SARA D Sara got pregnant at 17 and her boyfriend left her the second she told him the news. She decided she didn't want someone like that around to father a child anyways. Sara is now 24 and she has overcome so many obstacles. She went from being homeless with no job to having 3 jobs, her own place and a devoted mother...
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CARING
THE OTHER DAY I TOLD A WOMAN, HER HAIR WAS BEAUTIFUL While I was on my way in to Walmart, I was greeted by an older woman who was working the door as a greeter. I had a return to make so she stopped me and asked to tag my bag. Usually I would have gotten irritated because I know I don't steal, so why does my bag need to be tagged? I'd just witnessed someone ahead...
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COURAGE
MICHELLE H My mother has been a single mom for about 8 years now. She went through a very tough divorce with my father, but stayed strong during the process. She's served three terms in Iraq. She landed from Iraq this morning. My mom had to leave me and my younger sister for Iraq. I pray for her safety every single day and...
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COURAGE
KILEY M My hero is my granddaughter Kiley. She was diagnosed with leukemia last summer. In these past 9 months she has shown such a positive attitude and unfailing courage. I have never seen her feel sorry for herself nor has she ever expected pity from others. She's now well on her way to a full recovery. It's hard for...
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HELPING OTHERS
LOST. My eight year old daughter was recently diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. We had to take her to a specialist that was located in a nearby city. It was all one way streets and we were totally lost and running out of time. We saw a mail carrier walking down the street so we asked him for directions, explaining why...
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COMPASSION
EVERYONE I waited to go back to work until my oldest son was 10. He was so curious about where I went, what I was doing - he really wanted to be involved. The agency I work for advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children in foster care in my county - a subject difficult to explain or discuss with anyone, much...
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LOVE
MRS. HOEFLING I am a student in 6th grade. My S.S. teachers name is Mrs. Hoefling. She is my hero because she is like my second mom. If I need anything, which I sometimes do, I always turn to her. She also knows how to be a little disciplinary at times too. That is always a good thing to have. I am just happy I have Mrs. H. to...
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COMMITMENT
NADRA E Nadra Enzi is a writer and activist friend of mine. He calls himself Captain Black and stops street fights and gives speeches on crime not being a civil right. In 2004 he donated $10,000 to Savannah State University’s Model United Nations in honor of his late mother Mrs. Eryldelle Jones. Nadra’s always pushing...
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FRIENDSHIP
BILL I became ill with cancer had no home and no where to turn. But my best friend Bill was always there for me. He took me to doctor's appointments and all my treatments. He never complained about the inconvenience or the expense. I do not know what I would have done without him. He is my hero and best friend. I do...
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COMPASSION
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Last week something happened to me that made my heart swell! I really want to share the experience with all of you, not because I need to brag about what a good person I am, but because I want you to know how easy it was for me to shift my attitude. By stepping back for just a moment, I can easily turn a problem...
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HONESTY
BRIAN D A professional golfer on the PGA Tour, Brian Davis, called a penalty on himself, thereby losing the Verizon Heritage tournament in a playoff. The official did not notice that Brian's club hit a loose reed, which is an infraction that penalizes the golfer two strokes. Brian Davis thought he noticed, in the corner...
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LOYALTY
NEVER JUDGE A YANKEE FAN BY IT'S COVER I went to my first Yankee's/ Red Sox baseball game a few years ago. I was at Fenway Park in Boston and although a die-hard fan of the Anaheim Angels I felt compelled to root for the home team, the Red Sox. Two seats sat empty next to me until two gentlemen, one black and one white, asked if they could sit there....
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COMMITMENT
WORLD CHAMPION This April my school West Johnston HS went to the 2010 Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. We had recently lost two of our band members in an accident. We practiced hard all season and at the Finals ceremony our results paid off. West Johnston High School was named the 2010 Scholastic...
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DETERMINATION
JUDY M ROCKETMOM - GOT OXYGEN? She always wanted to be a good mom, make a difference locally and see the world. When she REACHED END STAGE LUNG DISEASE IN JUST SIX MONTHS at only 37 she became determined to still be a great mom, make a difference and see the world. SHE HAS. SHE'S BEEN RAISING HER FAMILY, DONATING...
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SACRIFICE
EARL C My hero is my best friend, Robby. He is currently serving his sixth month in Iraq, and he is only 19 years old. He is one of the youngest soldiers fighting over there. Most 19 year old's would rather be partying or wasting their life away. He chose to join the Army when he turned 18, and fight for a cause bigger...
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HARD WORK
RYAN M Growing up, my brother was in to the "wrong crowd." One day the police knocked down his front door with a search warrant, but found nothing. The next day he joined the Army and later joined the 82nd Airborne Division. After spending 16 months in Iraq and learning many of the Army values, he came back home to be...
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