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Tag: APP Everyday Heroes

  • Ernie Smith leads weekly Vets Feeding Vets in Pasco County

    Ernie Smith leads weekly Vets Feeding Vets in Pasco County

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Pasco County man has seen his dream come true. It’s a Vets Feeding Vets program run by the Amvets Post 550 in Zephyrhills. 

    Post finance officer Ernie Smith said the post had an unused building near the Zephyrhills airport and the post was wondering what they should do with it.

    Several months ago, Smith woke up in the middle of the night with an epiphany. He told his friend LeeAnne Starcher about using the building for a weekly feeding program.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Ernie woke up in the middle of the night with the Vets Feeding Vets program idea

    •  The program is on Friday’s in a building near the Zephyrhills Airport

    •  Food for the program is donated by local businesses

    • FACEBOOK: Vets Feeding Vets


    “In fact, at 3 (a.m.), when I had the dream, Leanne was home. I knew she was up because we are good friends,” he said. “I called her at 5 o’clock and said, ‘Meet me for breakfast, I got an idea.’ And she fell in love with the idea.”

    Smith and post members worked on cleaning out and sprucing up the building for several months, and they recently held a ribbon cutting for the first day of the program.

    “These bags here are bread and produce,” said Smith as he showed off some of the food that would be given away. The food is donated by local businesses. The bags include meat, bread, and vegetables among other things.

    Veterans or their representatives are required to show their identification and other information one time to qualify for the food. Then they’ll be on a list that will allow them to come back each week.

    Smith said the community has been supporting his mission.

    “Last week we had a church come in and bless the building for us. And nobody here gets paid. It’s all volunteers,” said Smith.

    Starcher is excited about how the program has come together.

    “With God’s help we pulled it off. Because that’s what it took,” she said.

    Volunteer Kathy Kincaid loves the Vets Feeding Vets program.

    “Because they need assistance just as much as anybody else. They are on very limited incomes, very limited resources. We are able to help them and add to those resources,” she said.

    The Vets Feeding Vets program is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4717 Airport Rd. in Zephyrhills.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Clearwater’s Dale Wood makes patriotic wood flags for his condo neighbors

    Clearwater’s Dale Wood makes patriotic wood flags for his condo neighbors

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Clearwater man has found a way to spread patriotism and make his condo community a great place to live. Dale Wood, 83, makes wood flags in his garage at The Village on Island Estates. 

    Wood cuts individual pieces of wood to make the stripes for the flags.

    “These have to be 15 inches. This one is a little short,” he said as he cut one of the pieces.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dale Wood served in the Marine Corps as a young man. 

    • Wood has made more than a dozen wood flags for his condo neighbors. 

    • He has also completed woodworking projects for members of the community.  

    • Wood hopes his flags promote patriotism.


    Wood has made more than a dozen of the flags after neighbors saw his hanging on the front of their condo and they wanted one too.

    “It’s the patriotic thing to do,” he said. “And it gives me something to do like a hobby.” 

    Wood was a United States Marine as a young man and hopes the flags spur his neighbors to be patriotic.

    “Well, there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine,” said Wood. “Once a Marine always a Marine. I’m a patriot and I want all my neighbors to be a patriot.

    “And if they look at it and like it. And I say, ‘Do you want one?’ And if they say yea, I’ll build it for them.”

    Wood has also used his woodworking skills to make projects for some of his neighbors including a wood planting bench.

    He is also making plans to build a privacy fence around an observation deck at the community’s boat docks.

    “I volunteered to buy the material and of course I’ll provide the labor,” said Wood. Wood said he is just trying to be a good neighbor.

    “He is our hero at the Village on Island Estates,” said condo board president Mona Desrosiers.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Everyday Hero: African dance teacher offers free senior classes

    Everyday Hero: African dance teacher offers free senior classes

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Being active and moving our bodies really makes a difference in how we feel, and one 70-year-old Durham choreographer says movement can be fun and enjoyable. She offers African dance classes to seniors for free. 

    Experts say movement is one of the most important things we can do for our health.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A 70-year-old choreographer and dancer has spent her life learning and teaching African dance and drums

    •  Donna Graham learned from world-renowned African dance guru Baba Chuck Davis of Durham

    •  Graham teaches free classes for seniors at the Durham Center for Senior Life


    Donna Graham has traveled the world teaching folks young and old the rhythms of African dance and drums. 

    Donna Graham and Baba Chuck Davis (Donna Graham)

    We first met Graham at a Kwanza event in January leading the drum and dance celebration. She credits African dance master Baba Chuck Davis of Durham with fueling her passion to spread the spirituality and joy of the art form.  

    “I knew I could teach children to drum so I figured I could teach adults as well,” Graham said.  

    She now shares her love of African Dance every Thursday morning at the Durham Center for Senior Life. But it’s no walk in the park. Even in retirement, Graham keeps these seniors moving and grooving mentally and physically for a healthier life.  

    “A lot of it is spiritual, for many of us, culturally speaking for many of us. And then we have the health benefits,” Graham added.  

    These classes are designed to get seniors moving and dancing to the beat of the drum. But Graham says it’s a chance for her to share her culture. 

    “In order to really know where you come from, it’s really best to know your history. It’s kind of like a tree trying to grow without roots. You need a firm foundation, and build on it,” Graham said while teaching an advanced class.  

    (Donna Graham)

    “We perform for Black history here, we perform for Kwanza here. It reaches a lot of different people here at the center, it makes it comfortable for everyone to be a part of,” said Regina White Brewer, a student of the class.  

    The classes have become so popular, Graham added an additional free low-impact class at the Durham Center for Senior Life for those new to the art form. It’s a movement through movement that continues to grow in size each week, and one Graham credits with saving her life.  

    In 2022, Graham almost died after she suffered a cerebral posterior aneurysm, causing her brain to bleed.  

    “They couldn’t remove it all because it was heart-shaped and there’s a titanium clip,” Graham said.   

    At times, she thought she might not make it. But Graham pushed on, fighting to get back in the classroom even earlier than doctors expected. She credits her miraculous story of survival to her mental and physical fitness, grounded in African dance. 

    “Because after an 8-hour brain surgery I feel like I’m still here because of this place,” Graham said while looking around the Durham Center for Senior Life.   

    It’s a place that keeps her moving and sharing her passion in life while helping others along the way. Her passion for teaching and dance is only outshined by her passion for life. 

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    Caroline Blair

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  • Mary’s Bagel Cafe owner Denise Gilmore provides lunches to neighborhood kids

    Mary’s Bagel Cafe owner Denise Gilmore provides lunches to neighborhood kids

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland woman is preparing hundreds of meals to neighborhood children this summer. Denise Gilmore is doing it at her restaurant, Mary’s Bagel Café.

    Gilmore grew up at the very spot where she opened the restaurant on North Florida Avenue in Lakeland. Her grandparents had owned several homes there. The restaurant is named after her grandmother Mary.

    What You Need To Know

    • Denise Gilmore grew up on North Florida Avenue in Lakeland where her grandparents owned several homes

    • Gilmore opened Mary’s Bagel Cafe on the same property last year

    • Last summer and this summer Gilmore has been providing hundreds of free bagged lunches to neighborhood children

    • A top jar of the counter of the restaurant helps to fund the free meals


    Mary’s Bagel Cafe specializes in bagels, pastries and sandwiches.

    Gilmore believes that some children in the neighborhood get plenty to eat during the school year at their schools, but she was concerned some of them were not getting enough to eat at home during the summer break.

    The bagged lunches feature a healthy sandwich.

    “Which consists of wheat bread, cheese ham or turkey,” she said. “They also get chips and a bag of sliced apples.”

    They also get a lower sugar drink.

    Last summer Gilmore and her volunteers gave out 675 lunches. In just two weeks this summer, they have given out 475.

    “What I’m doing is I am providing them something that’s healthy and that’s free that the parents don’t have to pay for,” she said.

    Lots of customers contribute to a tip jar on the counter to help pay for the lunches. Gilmore and her husband pick up the rest of the cost. She also provides a Thanksgiving meal to dozens of families.

    Gilmore gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping the children.

    “It makes me very happy that they are eating a meal. Even if it’s on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. At least they have a meal,” she said.

    Gilmore has set up a non-profit organization to help with her efforts. It’s Mary’s Pantry Inc.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Janet Blydenburgh and her group feed the homeless in Moon Lake

    Janet Blydenburgh and her group feed the homeless in Moon Lake

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County woman has a special heart for the homeless and other people in need in her community. Janet Blydenburgh makes sure they have a great Sunday meal once a month.

    What You Need To Know

    • Janet Blydenburgh leads Community Relief of West Pasco

    • The group provides a hot meal to homeless and people in need one Sunday a month

    • The meal is served in the parking lot of the Volunteer Way Moon Lake Mission

    • Bledenburgh says Community Relief of West Pasco could use more donations and volunteers

    Blydenburgh leads a group of volunteers who serve a hot meal to about 60 people in the parking lot of the Volunteer Way Moon Lake Mission. The Moon Lake Mission provides lunches Monday through Friday inside its facility. Blydenburgh and her Community Relief of West Pasco wanted to do something to help feed people on the weekends.

    Blydenburgh said she got started with the Sunday meal about seven years ago when VFW 6180 asked her if she could do something good in the community with some extra food. The VFW has been helping her with fundraising since then.

    On a recent Sunday, Blydenburgh and her volunteers were serving a meal featuring hot dogs. “I’m always the one that does the meats. Cooked on the grill yesterday by myself,” she said.

    The hot dogs could be topped with all the usual fixings. “They are going to be able to have a hotdog with katsup, relish, mustard, and onions. Or a chili cheese dog or a sauerkraut dog,” she said.

    Blydenburgh said her volunteers bring side dishes and deserts to the meal. She always offers a prayer before people eat. “I’m a Moonlaker. I live out here,” she said. “This is my neighborhood. This is my family. I am an ordained chaplain and I come out here to minister to my people. This is my church out here. I care for them. I pray for them.”

    Some of the people who attend the Sunday dinner are homeless and live in nearby wooded areas. Blydenburgh offers them small bags filled with personal care items like shampoo and toothpaste.

    The caring way guests are treated doesn’t go unnoticed.

    “It’s a God thing,” said Theresa Squires. “It’s wonderful. I love it. And I like to come and see everybody too.”

    Blydenburgh said Community Relief of West Pasco could always use more volunteers and donations. She is also hoping other groups will come forward to provide meals on the other Sundays each month.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Julie Butcher helps Winter Haven residents in need with Laundry Love ministry

    Julie Butcher helps Winter Haven residents in need with Laundry Love ministry

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Winter Haven woman and her church are helping to fill a need through the Laundry Love ministry.

    Along with Holy Cross Episcopal Church, deacon Julie Butcher helps people in need pay to do their laundry.

    What You Need To Know

    • Holy Cross Episcopal Church deacon Julie Butcher runs the Laundry Love ministry in Winter Haven

    • Members of her church fund the program, which pays to do the laundry of people in need at Wash World for several hours on the first Monday of each month

    • Butcher says church members often pray with customers

    Butcher said she was involved in a similar ministry at her church in Massachusetts and wanted to continue to tradition when she moved to Polk County.

    She asked Holy Cross to start a Laundry Love ministry and they happily agreed.

    “If you are going to do laundry, I want to pay for your laundry. It’s free laundry day,” Butcher told a customer at Wash World recently, as she held a plastic container filled with quarters.

    “We’re here on the first Monday of every month from 10 (a.m.) to 1 (p.m.),” she told another customer.

    Church members donate the funds used to pay for the laundry.

    Butcher said some people are having to make a choice between eating and clean clothes.

    “It’s just really important to me to have our parish reach out into the community and meet a need,” she said.

    Nancie Antoine was one of the Wash World customers who didn’t have to pay a thing.

    “I was shocked. It’s a very good thing,” she said. “That’s a blessed. You don’t get that very often.”

    Butcher seemed to be just as happy as the customers getting free laundry.

    “Wonderful,” she said. “Joyful, blessed. Just to be able to bless somebody else is a blessing for me.”

    Butcher’s husband and the Rev. Deke Miller were also at the laundromat to help.

    “We also pray with people,” Miller said. “We’ll ask, ‘Can I pray for you?’ Most people say yes, and we pray.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Pasco County elementary teacher Stefanie Bozurich saves student from choking

    Pasco County elementary teacher Stefanie Bozurich saves student from choking

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Pasco County elementary school teacher is a hero to one of her students. That’s because she saved him from choking.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fourth grade Trinity Elementary student Ben Perkins was choking on a water bottle cap during class
    • Perkins ran to teacher Stefanie Bozurich, who performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the bottle cap
    • Perkins said he thanked God and his teacher when he was able to breathe again 

    Fourth grade Trinity Oaks Elementary teacher Stefanie Bozurich was teaching her class in February when student Ben Perkins ran up to her desk waving his hands in a panic and then putting his hands around his neck to let her know that he was choking.

    Perkins said he had a plastic water bottle at his desk, and he had poked a small hole in the cap.

    “I don’t like a lot of water in my mouth, and I just thought if every other kid was doing it so, like, why can’t I do it?” he said.

    When Perkins gave the bottle a hard squeeze, he says the cap flew off into his throat.

    “So, once I figured out it’s not coming out, I kind of raised up from my seat and was speed walking to Ms Bozurich because I didn’t want to alarm anybody,” he said, demonstrating his walk to her desk.

    When Bozurich realized Perkins was choking, she reached around his rib cage and started performing the Heimlich maneuver, and continued to do so as she moved Perkins out the classroom door.

    “And I kind of almost picked him up like this as I was yelling for help,” she said. “So I opened up the door and I kept it open to still call for help. And I Heimliched him one more time and it expelled. I was so relieved. The whole time I kept telling myself, ‘Ben will be OK. Ben will be OK.’”

    Perkins’ mother Marisa Perkins said she decided there would be no more flimsy plastic water bottles for her son. She ordered some sturdy water bottles with a pull up top.

    Ben Perkins said that after he was rescued, he was “just thanking God for saving me, and Ms. Bozurich.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Looper bus driver Terrence Brown is a beloved figure in downtown St. Petersburg

    Looper bus driver Terrence Brown is a beloved figure in downtown St. Petersburg

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg bus driver has become a beloved fixture in the city’s downtown.

    Terrence Brown drives a free trolley-style “Looper” bus and has a reputation for going out of the way to make people feel welcome in downtown.

    What You Need To Know

    • Terrence Brown drives a free Looper bus in downtown St. Petersburg

    • Brown loves to tell riders about the history and greatness of the city

    • He has become a beloved fixture in downtown

    • Brown strikes up conversations with complete strangers to make them feel welcome

    Brown has been driving a Looper bus for about 15 years and he loves telling riders about downtown.

    “There’s just so much to tell people. The food scene is wonderful,” said Brown. “The music is great. The art is probably second only to New York City. And we are gaining on them when it comes to art.”

    Brown likes to strike up conversations with riders like Andrew Montgomery and his mother Karen. He told them about the Palladium Theater as they drove by.

    “And if you ever get a chance, there is a musical they put on here,” he told them. “It’s called Webb City. And the acting and singing is second to none.”

    Brown said he really enjoys the people of St. Petersburg.

    “You know, I like to give people a nice tour,” he said. “I like to inform them how great our city is and how great the people are here.”

    Sometimes Brown will pull his bus over to say hello to riders who aren’t getting on his bus. That was the case when he spotted an elderly man who he hadn’t seen in a while.  

    “Where have you been?” Brown said as he motioned for the man to come closer to the open doors of the bus. Brown got out and asked the man how he was doing. “I was worried about you. I was praying for you this morning because I was saying to myself, ‘I haven’t seen Bob.’”

    One of Brown’s biggest fans is Alex Edmiston.

    Edmiston said he wasn’t a regular Looper rider, but said Brown stopped one day to ask him why he hadn’t seen his wife on their regular morning walks. Turns out Edmiston’s wife was dealing with a health issue. The two men became friends.

    Brown credits his Jehovah’s Witness faith for his kindness.

    “Just being nice to people doesn’t take a lot of work,” he said. “But when you do it, it’s very rewarding.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Landscaper Drake Mailhot and other businesses create garden for Pasco Kids First

    Landscaper Drake Mailhot and other businesses create garden for Pasco Kids First

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area landscaper is combining his passion for the profession with projects to help a good cause. Drake Mailhot is getting fellow landscaping businesses involved with good deeds.

    What You Need To Know

    • Drake Mailhot started a professional organization for Tampa Bay landscapers now called Professionals of Tampa

    • The group has gotten involved with charity landscaping projects

    • The New Port Richey Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for a therapy garden the group built for Pasco Kids First

    • Pasco Kids First says staff members and children have benefited from the garden

    Mailhot has a couple of crews that work on higher end landscaping projects. He says he tries to be creative with his projects and very particular with the details. He loves it so much, the work doesn’t feel like work.

    “It’s not work. It’s what I do. Create beautiful outdoor spaces,” he said.

    A couple of years ago, Mailhot helped start a professional organization for landscapers so they could be a resource to each other. The group grew quickly to more than a hundred businesses. “By working together, I could learn from them and they could learn from me.”

    Mailhot and the other businesses in the group got inspired to do landscaping for good causes. They recently completed a garden for the staff and families that come to Pasco Kids First in New Port Richey. The child advocacy organization helps to investigate child abuse claims and provides therapy to victims.

    Mailhot and other businesses that helped with the project were at a ribbon cutting for the garden last week. Staff members at Pasco Kids First say some of the children receiving therapy prefer to do it in the garden instead of being inside the building.

    Mailhot got inspired to help with the project after taking a tour of Pasco Kids First and seeing t-shirts with inspirational messages on a hallway wall. The t-shirts were made by children who have completed therapy to be a source of encouragement to other children.

    “Sorry if I tear up. This has become so much more than a place of landscaping,” said Mailhot. “It’s become a garden for kids to heal themselves.”

    Here is a list of the businesses that helped with the garden project:

    • Professionals of Tampa
    • Southern Landscape Solutions
    • Sure Shot Property Enhancements
    • Aloha Landscaping and Services
    • Stonecrest Curbing
    • Dirty Work Landscaping
    • High Trim Tree Service
    • Canterbury Farms Nursery
    • Southern Outdoor Solutions
    • Average Joe Landscape
    • Rueds Property Maintenance
    • GB Grow Lawn and Landscape
    • Bay Area Pressure Cleaning
    • Monica Mae Photography

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Jay Brubaker serves St. Pete through law enforcement and a food ministry

    Jay Brubaker serves St. Pete through law enforcement and a food ministry

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Pinellas County man has been serving and protecting his community for five decades. When Jay Brubaker retired from the St. Petersburg Police Department in 2002, he became a reserve officer. Then a firearms instructor. These days, he’s also organizing a huge feeding ministry.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jay Brubaker has been in law enforcement for five decades

    • He was part of the well known “Green Team” that took down illegal drug operations in South St. Pete

    • He’s now a reserve officer and firearms instructor

    • Brubaker organizes a weekly feeding ministry in the parking lot of a former Walmart store

    For many years, Brubaker was part of a unit known as the “Green Team.” The unit worked to take down illegal drug operations in South St. Petersburg.

    Brubaker, 76, feels like he is still serving his community by being a firearms instructor at the St. Petersburg College Law Enforcement Academy. One a recent morning, he was working with other instructors, training potential officers on how to deal with a firearms malfunction during a firefight.

    “And just keep working it till you clear that malfunction and you’ll be good,” Brubaker told a woman during the training. “I’m trying to keep them in the fight if they have a malfunction during a firefight,” he said. “So they don’t panic. They just go to muscle memory.”

    Training the young men and women is a passion for Brubaker. “Of course, of course. The training never stops,” he said.  

    Another passion for Brubaker is the weekly Saturday morning feeding program in the parking lot of a former Walmart in the neighborhood he used to patrol. Cars line up for a half mile for a box of food.

    The operation is run by Brubaker’s Positive Impact Church. “Praise God that this is something we are able to supply. You see the number of people?” he said.

    Brubaker said he got the idea of doing the food distribution while working as a reserve officer a few years ago. “I was driving through the community in uniform working. They had a community event here in the parking lot. And it suddenly struck me. This is where we need to be.”

    The ministry gets its food from Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries and grocery store chains like Publix.

    Brubaker is hoping the ministry can work out a deal with the city of St. Petersburg to use the building as a community market. Qualified community residents would make an appointment to shop for food for free.

    “When you give, you get back. You can’t out give God,” said Brubaker. “The more you give, the more he gives back to you.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Polk County teen raises $10K for Guardian Angel beacons for K-9 teams

    Polk County teen raises $10K for Guardian Angel beacons for K-9 teams

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Polk County 14-year-old has done something great for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). David John raised more than $10,000 to purchase safety devices as part of an Eagle Scout project.

    What You Need To Know

    • 14-year-old David John respects law enforcement and loves dogs 

    • John raised more than $10,000 for Guardian Angel safety beacons to be worn by Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) K-9 teams  

    • The safety beacons emit infrared signals that are seen by an aviation search unit if the K-9 team needed to be found  

    • John was awarded his Eagle Scout on Jan. 2 for his successful fundraising project

    John combined his respect for law enforcement and his love of dogs for the project.

    “I love dogs. I have two dogs myself and they are super fun to interact with and play around with,” John said.

    The safety devices are Guardian Angel beacons worn by the K-9 unit — both the people and the dogs. The beacons emit an infrared signal that might allow a search team or chopper to spot the K-9 team if, for example, they got stranded in a wooded area while searching for a suspect.

    “This is going to keep us safe for a very long time. If our radio goes down, the aviation unit can find us very easily,” said Deputy Jacob Owen.

    John got to meet Sheriff Grady Judd while he worked on the fundraiser. The sheriff’s office posted something about the project on its social media and that spurred some of the donations.

    When John started his Eagle Scout project, he wasn’t sure how it would go, but he’s thrilled with the way it turned out. “And it’s made me really happy with all the support that I have gotten from everybody around my county.”

    Deputy Warren is inspired by John’s efforts. “Any kid, if you put your mind to something, you can do anything you want to,” he said.

    John purchased 65 of the beacons, 80 clips and eight extra large igloo coolers for PCSO bloodhounds. He also donated $3,000 to Polk Sheriff’s Charities.

    John has an Eagle Scout tradition in his family. His grandfather, father and an uncle are Eagle Scouts. John was awarded his Eagle Scout rank on Jan. 2.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Ken Nelson loves volunteering for Meals on Wheels

    Ken Nelson loves volunteering for Meals on Wheels

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A Polk County man has spent several decades being involved with the Meals on Wheels of Polk County, the organization that delivers meals to shut in residents.

    What You Need To Know

    •  82-year-old Ken Nelson served on the Meals on Wheels board for decades

    •  Nelson served as a volunteer driver delivering meals during the pandemic

    •  Nelson helps to pack up hundreds of meals a day

    • Nominate an Everyday Hero

    Ken Nelson, 82, served on the organization’s board for decades and in recent years he has both delivered meals and worked on meal preparation at the Meals on Wheels facility in Winter Haven.

    Nelson knows all the ins-and-outs of how the organization works. He can take you on a tour of the facility, including a huge cooler where food is stored.

    “Today was a rather simple prep day because it’s food that we actually didn’t have to prepare that much. Just potato salad,” he said as he displayed a big container of the food.

    Nelson also works on the line of volunteers that place the different foods onto plastic takeout style containers.

    “Oh yea,’’ he said while working on the line. “There’ll be over 400 meals today.”

    Executive Director Susan Eldridge said Nelson is one of her many outstanding volunteers.

    “We couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” she said. “We had mentioned they are 98% of our workforce.”

    Nelson enjoyed his time as a volunteer driver taking meals to people in their homes.

    “I like to be out and see the smiles on the people’s faces when then got those meals,” he said. “And felt that there was someone there to care about them.”

    Nelson is very enthusiastic about his volunteer work.

    “Just the idea of helping other people,” he said. “Giving back to God. God has given me a good life, so I feel like I owe it to him to help other people.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Santiago Cardona styles the hair of disabled Manatee residents

    Santiago Cardona styles the hair of disabled Manatee residents

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A terrible loss is serving as an inspiration to do good for a Manatee County man. When Santiago Cardona’s mother Rosario died of cancer, he decided to cut the hair of disabled people to keep her memory alive.

    What You Need To Know

    • Santiago Cardona is inspired to do good to honor his mother who died of cancer

    • Cardona spends parts of his day off on Mondays to cut the hair of disabled Manatee County residents

    • Cardona often presents flowers to the disabled person after styling their hair

    On a recent Monday morning, Cardona was spending part of his day off cutting Rebekah (Becky) Mejia’s hair at the otherwise empty Plush Hair Studio.

    “We are just cleaning her hair up a little bit. Just making more pretty,” said Cardona as he cut Mejia’s hair. Mejia was left severely disabled by a car accident. She can’t speak.

    Cardona believes the experience of losing his mother to cancer has made him more aware of the trials that people face. “Seeing my mom go through chemotherapy and everything gives me that extra understanding and compassion,” he said.

    Mejia’s family came to the Plush Hair Studio to show support as Cardona cut her hair.

    “The family is so supportive and loving and dedicated to her. And that reminds me so much of the bond I had with my mom,” he said.

    Dad, Ronald Brown, said the family decided to pick Cardona to cut Mejia’s hair after an overwhelming response on a local Facebook page asking for recommendations.

    “She’s always laughing, happy when he’s around. He looks forward to seeing her,” said Brown.

    After cutting Mejia’s hair, Cardona presented her with a bouquet of flowers.  

    Then he drove for about ten minutes to go to Tina Frerichs’ home. She is unable to move or speak because of ALS. “How are you, Miss Tina?” said Cardona as Frerichs was wheeled into the front room of her home.

    As Cardona styled Frerichs’ hair, she was able to communicate by fixing her eyes on the letters of an electronic keyboard on a computer monitor. Frerichs wanted to let Cardona how happy she was that he was there.

    “You make my day,” the computer said

    Over the Christmas holiday, Cardona dressed as an elf and paid a visit to Frerichs and her friend Nichole.

    “You make my Christmas special for Nichole too,” said the computer.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Hero volunteers 10,000 hours at Pasco Animal Services

    Hero volunteers 10,000 hours at Pasco Animal Services

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. —A Pasco County woman has been recognized for her tireless volunteer work at the county’s animal services adoption center. Diana Hessman has volunteered 10-thousand hours over the past nine years.

    Hessman wants to make sure the dogs at the adoption center get the best care possible. That includes the dogs being taken out each day for a walk and some play time.

    What You Need To Know

    •  76-year-old Diana Hessman has volunteered 10,000 hours at Pasco Animal Services

    •  Hessman wants to make sure dogs at the adoption center get taken for daily walks 

    •  She helps to train other volunteers at the center

    • Hessman is hoping more people will volunteer at animal services
    • Would you like to nominate an Everyday Hero? Click here

    Hessman wants to make sure the dogs at the adoption center get the best care possible. That includes the dogs being taken out each day for a walk and some play time.

    It also means moving some dogs to an area where they are on display for potential adoptees. The public can see them through windows.

    “The cages were built for small dogs, but we do have large dogs,” she said. “(This) dog is 80 pounds, but we have him here because we want adopters to be able to see them.”

    Hessman helps to train other volunteers at the center and manages a big white board with the schedule for walking and other activities for all the dogs. She can’t stand the thought of the dogs not getting out of their cages for at least part of their day. 

    Taking the dogs for walks is an enjoyable activity.

    “Well, as you can see it is excellent exercise,” she said. Physically and mentally, this is a great stress relief,” she said.

    Hessman also hosts fundraisers at her home for the Friends of Animal Services non-profit organization. She’s a beloved figure at animal services.

    “Oh my gosh. Definitely her love of the animals,” said education and outreach coordinator Grace Sheridan. “She leads with the love of the animals. And it is felt by every volunteer that she works with as well as the staff.”

    Hessman has gotten a lot of joy from her 10,000 hours of service.

    “Yes, over nine years,” said Hessman, who wants more seniors to volunteer with animal services. “And I’m 76 years old. So I started in my 60s. So even though you are a senior you can come out and volunteer.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • 12-year-old Pasco resident Waylen Newton completes 50 Yard Challenge

    12-year-old Pasco resident Waylen Newton completes 50 Yard Challenge

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A 12-year-old Pasco County boy is being recognized for mowing 50 yards for needy Port Richey residents.

    Waylen Newton completed the 50 Yard Challenge sponsored by the Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service.

    What You Need To Know

    • 12-year-old Waylen Newton completed the 50 Yard Challenge

    • The Raising Men and Women Lawn Care organization presented Newton with a new mower, weed eater and blower

    • Newton likes being outside and seeing the transformation of a person’s lawn
    • 50 Yard Challenge

    Founder Rodney Smith traveled to Pasco County to present Newton with a brand new law mower, weed eater and blower for accomplishing the goal.

    Newton mowed the lawns for the elderly, disabled, single mothers and veterans.

    He said he likes the physical part of the challenge.  

    “It’s fun. I go outside and do stuff. And I love helping people.” He also enjoys the immediate satisfaction of completing a task. “In the beginning, it’ll be all bad and grown up and after it’ll be nice and short.”

    Newton’s mom, Tonya Huff, says he’s an adventurous guy who likes to be outside. Huff said some of Newton’s neighborhood friends volunteered to help him with a few of the lawns. 

    “I am beyond proud. He completed all 50 yards,” Huff said. “There were some hot days over the summer that he kept going. Struggled a little bit in the Florida heat, but he didn’t stop.”

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    Rick Elmhorst

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