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Tag: everyday hero

  • Denver7 Everyday Hero honored for years of service with the Salvation Army

    BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Outside a busy King Soopers in Broomfield, volunteers are ringing bells and greeting shoppers as part of a decades-long effort to raise money for neighbors in need during the holiday season.

    Richard Butler

    Bill Duclos – Salvation Army, Broomfield Advisory Council President

    The Salvation Army relies on donations from its annual red kettle campaign to support local families struggling with rising costs, including rent, utilities, groceries and holiday gifts for children and seniors.

    “All the money that’s raised here goes into the local Salvation Army to support their local community,” said Capt. Miguel Morales with the Salvation Army’s Broomfield Corps.

    Morales said demand for assistance has increased as expenses continue to rise, making community support more important than ever during the holidays.

    Helping make that support possible are volunteers from the Foothills Kiwanis Club of Boulder Valley, which has partnered with the Salvation Army for decades. Members of the club say they have been bell-ringing since at least 1984, raising nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for local programs.

    Bob Mohling, a Kiwanis member and Salvation Army advisory board volunteer, said he first started ringing bells decades ago.

    bill hero 3.png

    Richard Butler

    “I started ringing the bell in 1975, so this is my 50th year of ringing the bell,” Mohling said.

    The Foothills Kiwanis Club focuses on service projects that support children and families, including scholarships, youth programs and community partnerships. One of its largest commitments each year is the Salvation Army’s holiday kettle campaign.

    Volunteers fill shifts from the week before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, ringing bells six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    One of the people helping organize those efforts is Bill Duclos, a Kiwanis member and president of the Salvation Army Broomfield Advisory Council. In addition to ringing bells himself, Duclos coordinates the volunteer schedule at the King Soopers location.

    “We know where the money is going and where the funds are going from this kettle. It’s going to help the local community, it’s going to help kids, it’s going to help folks that need it,” said Duclos.

    Duclos said he got involved after retiring about six years ago and looking for ways to give back to the community. Last year, Duclos said the single kettle at the King Soopers location raised about $25,000. He says even small donations add up to make a meaningful difference.

    bill hero 2.png

    Richard Butler

    Bill Duclos – Salvation Army, Broomfield Advisory Council President

    Morales said Duclos’ impact goes beyond the holidays. Saying Duclos volunteers year-round, helping with events, community programs and facility projects at the Salvation Army’s Broomfield community center.

    “Bill is very warm. He’s a great coach, he’s compassionate,” said Morales.

    Mohling said Duclos’ leadership and commitment help keep volunteers engaged and programs running.

    “It is a team effort, but Bill has really been active,” Mohling said. “He’s got a servant heart, plus he’s a good leader.”

    Because of that dedication, Bill Duclos is Denver7 and Levine Law’s newest Denver7 Everyday Hero.

    “It’s quite an honor, and there’s a lot of people in need,” Duclos said. “And that’s what it’s all about, helping people.”

    Duclos said he hopes the red kettle campaign continues to remind people that help is available and that generosity, even in small amounts, can have a big impact.

    The Salvation Army is still looking for volunteers to help ring bells through Christmas Eve. Shifts are typically two hours long, and volunteers can sign up online through The Salvation Army’s Colorado website. Those interested can also contact their local Salvation Army Corps in Broomfield for more information on available bell-ringing locations and times.

    Denver7 features a different Everyday Hero each week. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.

    Richard Butler

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  • Marc Rimes appears as the ‘Hulk’ to support children

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County man is devoting a lot of his time to appearing as “The Incredible Hulk” at local events. Most of the appearances are for charities. Underneath that huge Hulk outfit is a man with a big heart for kids. Marc Rimes has a couple of reasons for that big heart.

    What You Need To Know

    • Marc Rimes appears as the “Hulk” at Bay area charity events. He also works to promote autism awareness

    • Rimes’s son Chance, who is on the autism spectrum, appears with Rimes as Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies

    • Rimes often appears at events with Superheroes for Hire characters

    • Rimes grew up in foster care and boys’ homes and has a special heart for children who need to feel loved


    On a recent Saturday evening, Rimes appeared as the “Hulk” at the Auburndale Speedway. Lots of small children wanted to give his massive Hulk character a hug. Rimes said he loves seeing the smiles and children’s faces when they see him.

    “I don’t do it to get recognized. I don’t do this for recognition,” said Rimes. “I do this to put a smile on someone’s face.”

    Rimes’ girlfriend Candice Holiday is a big believer in Rimes’ efforts. “It’s mostly the lower-class kids who need that extra boost in life,” she said. “That’s what we do. We come out and put smiles on faces.”

    Rimes said he grew up in boys’ homes and foster care, so he is sensitive to a child needing to feel love. “I grew up in a life where I fought to be loved. And I want to be there for a kid who needs a smile or a hug. I want to be there to give hope,” he said.

    Rimes has a son named Chance who is on the autism spectrum. Chance appears with Rimes at events dressed as the character Groot from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies. Rimes is dedicated to autism awareness. “Everybody needs the awareness. Everybody needs to know we can include our children. Not one child is the same on the spectrum. But they don’t have to be treated differently,” he said.

    Rimes has a sports car decked out with superhero logos and autism awareness messages that he takes to his events. “When you see it come down the road you can’t miss it. It also has my son dressed up as one of the superheroes on the side of the car.” Rimes said his car is part of the Cars Racing for the Dream organization.

    Rimes often appears with other local residents who dress up superheroes. They are called Superheroes for Hire. The group held parades for a terminally ill boy named Braxton Criss. Braxton passed away. At the Auburndale Speedway event, Chance dressed as Groot presented Braxton’s mom Jessica Criss with one of his previous Groot outfits.

    Criss is thankful for what all the superheroes did for her son before he died. “Honored that they gave us memories that we wouldn’t have had otherwise, and they made Braxton’s last moments incredibly special,” she said.

    Rimes was also hailed as a hero recently for running to a neighbor’s home that was on fire and using a garden hose to fight the flames before firefighters got there.

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • N.C. woman’s nonprofit secures housing for homeless

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of people experiencing homelessness in North Carolina has been growing.

    According to the latest stats from the annual homelessness assessment report, the state has seen a 19% increase from 2023 to 2024.

    What You Need To Know

    • Spectrum News 1 is recognizing Hearts For The Invisible Charlotte Coalition Founder Jessica Lefkowitz for the Everyday Heroes segment

    • The goal of her nonprofit is helping people who are unhoused get into the shelter system, a transitional program or permanent housing

    • In 2025, Hearts For The Invisible helped 550 people and secured permanent housing for 117 people


    For the past five years, Hearts For The Invisible Charlotte Coalition Founder and Executive Director Jessica Lefkowitz and her street outreach team have been trying to put a dent in those numbers by offering housing to people who need it most. Her passion to help also comes from a familiar place.

    “My mom dealt with domestic violence, and I remember us having to leave our home in the middle of the night. We did a lot of couch surfing during my childhood. So, I do know what homelessness feels like for a child, and it is very, very traumatic,” Lefkowitz said.

    Her nonprofit helps people who are unhoused by meeting people where they are, whether it be in the woods, near train tracks, in parking lots or on sidewalks. 

    The goal is to help people who are unhoused get into the shelter system, a transitional program or permanent housing.

    In 2025, Hearts For The Invisible helped 550 people and secured permanent housing for 117 people.

    They helped Della Marie Marshall, who slept on benches in Uptown Charlotte.

    The traumatizing memories still bring on tears.

    “I ended up being assaulted. My phone was stolen. So for four months, I had no communication, I had no phone. I was just trying to navigate. Every day, I just thanked the Lord for waking me up,” Marshall said.

    The 69-year-old is also thankful for Lefkowitz and her team.  

    The transplant from Ohio and retired college administrator says she fell on tough times and appreciates the help from Hearts For The Invisible in getting her into an apartment for senior citizens.

    “I could have been lost. I could have just been out there,” Marshall said.

    Lefkowitz says if you see a person who’s unhoused, a simple hello can go a long way.

    “It’s really about treating somebody like a human being, and understanding that housing is a human right and nobody should be outside. Nobody should be outside,” Lefkowitz said.

    Charlotte newspaper “Queen City Nerve” recently named Lefkowitz “Best Local Hero 2025” for their Best In The Nest Awards.

    She also co-leads the annual point in time count, which some know as “the homeless census,” with the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Team.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

    Mike Dunston

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  • Paul Mazzapica brings joy to assisted living center residents through karaoke

    TAMPA, Fla. — A Pinellas County man has made it his mission to lead a group of church volunteers to be a blessing to their community. Paul Mazzapica’s joyful spirit really shines as he leads his team.

    Mazzapica said he was meeting with some fellow members of Countryside Christian Church seven years ago when they came up with the idea for a volunteer team called Operation Influence. That grew to include giving blessing baskets to local businesses, bags filled with necessities to homeless people, handing out hundreds of wood crosses and recently something called Shine Your Light.

    What You Need To Know

    • Paul Mazzapica leads the Shine Your Light team from Countryside Christian Chuch.  

    •  The team sings karaoke songs with residents of the Collier’s Assisted Living facility. 

    •  Mazzapica and other church members started Operation Influence seven years ago. 

    • Operation Influence does a number of good works in the community. 


    Shine Your Light team members go to assisted living centers to sing karaoke with residents. On a recent evening at Collier’s Assisted Living, Mazzapica was setting up his karaoke gear inside a large meeting area. There was a computer for streaming music and some large speakers.

    “We wanted to put our faith into action. So, we said what better way to do that than to share love. And there’s no better place to do that than this place, Colliers,” said Mazzapica. A few minutes later Mazzapica was playing some music and gathered residents were clapping to a song.

    Team member Ken Vasquez was getting the elderly residents into the spirit of the evening. “We are here to love on you and let you know you are not alone. God has us. God has you,” he said.

    The idea behind the karaoke night is the bring joy from the outside world to the residents who might feel forgotten. Team member Bob Elliot kept the energy going with leading much of the singing.  It’s a fun filled experience for everyone.

    Team member Ken Vasquez was getting the elderly residents into the spirit of the evening. (Spectrum News/Rick Elmhorst)

    “I’ve seen them dancing. I’ve seen them singing along,” said Mazzapica. “One thing I see is a lot of smiles.”

    Resident Eileen Mcaulay said the karaoke sessions bring residents out of their rooms at night, and everybody has a good time.

    “The whole idea of operation influence is to get out and be the hands and feet. That’s what we want to be,” said Mazzapica. “Not just sitting there in church wanting to do it. We do it.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Denver7 Everyday Hero honored for expanding sports access in rural Colorado

    FORT MORGAN, Colo. – On Sunday afternoons at Fort Morgan Middle School, the sound of whistles and bouncing basketballs fills the gym as girls from across northeast Colorado gather to compete, learn and stay active, weeks before their school basketball seasons even begin.

    For many of them, this league is the only opportunity they have to keep improving their skills between seasons.

    Richard Butler

    “We get together and we have competitive basketball. We teach the fundamentals. We teach good sportsmanship,” said Russell Jones, a Brush Middle School girls’ basketball coach.

    The league is part of Northeast Colorado (NECO) League Sports, a youth athletics program created 12 years ago to give rural communities a place to play. In small towns like Brush, Akron and Yuma, school gyms can be limited, and youth programs often struggle with numbers. NECO helps bring those teams together under one roof.

    “For a lot of these small towns, we try to play town leagues, but it’s hard to do with the numbers,” said Merle Grauer, an assistant girls basketball coach in Akron. “When we have opportunities like this, we can bring all these small communities together.”

    Behind all the scheduling, officiating, communication and gym coordination is volunteer Damon Mussman.

    Mussman is the founder of NECO League Sports and the organizer behind every season. When he’s not refereeing games on Sundays, he’s lining up gym space, making brackets, coordinating coaches and ensuring every game has referees and scorekeepers.

    And he does all of it after his full-time job as the general manager at Wickham Tractor Company in Fort Morgan.

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    Richard Butler

    “This is not my full-time job,” Mussman said. “I do this as a side gig. It honestly started all those years ago with my kids growing up and wanting to give them a better option when it came to basketball and volleyball.”

    Today, that “side gig” has grown into a regional program serving nearly 2,000 student athletes through fall volleyball, fall girls’ basketball, and winter basketball leagues for boys and girls.

    “If this didn’t exist, a lot of these girls would be doing absolutely nothing until after Christmas,” Mussman said. “This gives them something to participate in and still be a part of something.”

    Lainey Jones, a 12-year-old from Brush Middle School, said the league helps her stay sharp between school seasons.

    “NECO is like an offseason. You can still practice your skills,” she said.

    Coaches say Mussman’s impact extends far beyond scheduling games.

    “They’re learning teamwork, they’re learning to work hard… They’re learning life lessons whether they know it or not,” Jones said. “It’s such a blessing to have something like this in your backyard. A lot of kids don’t. Some families have to get up at three or four in the morning to travel to compete.”

    “It’s been an amazing impact for Northeast Colorado,” Grauer said. “The amount of work that goes into making it successful, it’s extreme.”

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    Richard Butler

    Mussman said he never expected the league to become as large as it has, but seeing families fill the gym each week reminds him why he continues.

    “I did this for the kids. Still do it for the kids,” Mussman said. “I love every second of what I do.”

    As the league continues to grow, Mussman says he hopes NECO’s impact keeps spreading to new communities across the Eastern Plains.

    “I love doing it, and as long as I can do it, I’m going to keep going,” he said.

    Denver7 features a different Everyday Hero each week. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.

    Richard Butler

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  • Angela Davis leads Polk County Toys for Tots with focus and a big heart

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County’s Toys for Tots director is spending up to 70 hours a week this time of the year to make sure many kids in need have a great Christmas.

    Angela Davis took over the volunteer position several years ago after former director David Waller passed away.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Angela Davis runs Polk County’s Toys for Tots organization.

    •  The program will provide gifts to 15,000 less fortunate children in Polk. 

    •  Davis took over Polk Toys for Tots when former director Dave Waller passed away. 


    Davis had been a volunteer for the organization when Waller called her as she was preparing to play a round of golf.

    He told her to put away her clubs and to come see him in the hospital. When she got to the hospital, he told her about the brain tumor that would soon claim his life. He asked her to take over the Polk Toys for Tots program.

    “How can you say no?” she said. “Look at what this program does. The impact it makes. How could you say no?”

    Davis took the bull by the horns and got aggressive with fundraising and organizing. The program operates out of a huge warehouse in Auburndale. Toys for Tots will provide presents to more than 15,000 children from low-income families this year.

    “All right, guys. That one’s full already. Goodness. You are good,” said Davis to some volunteers on a recent morning as they were filling up boxes with stuffed animals. “They are preparing stuffed animals that we will give out to all children between two and seven,” she said.

    Each child gets a set of gifts based on the application that is filled out by their parent or guardian.  

    David grabbed one of the “shopping lists” and headed out to the tables filled with gifts based on categories. Her list was for a boy.

    “He’s nine years old. This is appropriate for a child eight plus,” she said as she held up a board game. “And based on what the child told me, this might be a good match for this young guy.”

    Literacy is a year-round effort by Toys for Tots, so children will also get a book with their gifts.

    Dozens of volunteer shoppers gather up gifts based on the lists and place them into black garbage bags with a label. That way, if a child is with their parent or guardian when they pick up the gifts, the child hopefully won’t be aware that the bag is full of gifts for them.

    Davis said she is hyper-focused on every detail of Toys for Tots. Her family tells her she becomes a little OCD.

    “You must be into the details. We are trying to serve these families,” said Davis. “We don’t want to make a mistake. We want to give these kids something special on one of the best days of the year. So of course, I have to be OCD.”

    However, she can have a softer side when approaching her work, getting emotional as she talked about the kids.

    “You know, they say there is something about the impact of doing something for a stranger and the impact it makes on you,” she said. “And I have all these wonderful people who have come in to help me make a change in a child’s life.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Carole Adamczyk leads the MacDill Puppy Raisers group

    TAMPA, Fla. — A Hillsborough County woman is involved in a several great causes including raising and training service dogs. Carole Adamczyk is the group leader for MacDill Puppy Raisers. 

    On a recent evening Adamczyk and about a dozen other volunteers from the group were at a Lowe’s parking lot in Brandon training the future service dogs. Part of the training was to get the dogs to stay still at their handler’s side.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Carole Adamczyk leads the MacDill Puppy Raisers group

    •  Group members raise labrador service dogs for Dogs Inc

    •  Adamczyk leads group training sessions twice per month

    • Adamczyk has raised about a dozen of the service dogs in her home 
    • HELP PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING DOGS TO PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES: dogs inc.


    “If your dog gets up during it, just put him back in his sit again. It’s okay,” said Adamczyk.

    The dogs are all Labradors, and the organization Dogs Inc. will place them with the person who needs a service dog. That could range from a blind or sight impaired person or a veteran with PTSD.

    Adamczyk facilities the real world training twice a month. That includes taking the dogs inside the Lowe’s store to get them used to unfamiliar places with lots of people.

    Dogs can get excited about a new person coming up to them, but they are taught to stay very calm.

    “They have been practicing this for a while, so they know not to lunge when somebody approaches them,” said Adamczyk.

    Adamczyk has raised about a dozen dogs in her home including her current dog, Chloe. She demonstrated how she trained Chloe at her kitchen counter using treats and a paw pad.

    “I’m training her to stay on my left-hand side because that’s where we want them as they continue to grow,” she said.

    Adamczyk also takes Chloe for long training walks in her neighborhood using a special collar. The training is a rewarding experience when she sees her dogs make progress. “And the first time they get it, you are overjoyed. It’s wonderful.”

    The best part of the experience is when the dog is ready to be placed in a home.

    “That day that you meet that person is wonderful. When they tell you they saved their life, it’s amazing,” she said.

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Child cancer survivor starts nonprofit

    DURHAM, N.C. — Harper Harrell knows first-hand the importance of having a place to stay near the hospital while enduring extended treatment. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8 years old and had to undergo two years of treatment. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Harper Harrell started her own nonprofit called “Harper’s Home” to help house families with children enduring extended treatment for life-threatening illnesses for free near Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center

    • Harrell was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8 years old and had to undergo two years of treatment

    • The goal is to build eight homes on their property that’s just a couple of miles away from the hospital, but they are currently renting two homes while they wait for the city to approve their permits to start building 

    • Studies show more than half the kids in extended treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital come from over 50 miles away
    • Kids sometimes need to get to the ER within 30 minutes if they spike a fever and if not, their condition could become deadly


    “When I was in treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Duke Children’s Hospital, we met so many families who didn’t have a place to stay,” Harrell said.

    Fortunately for Harrell and her family they didn’t live far from Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center and never worried about housing during her stay in the hospital. But she knows that’s not the case for everyone. 

    “They were living out of suitcases and hotels, and there was really no place for them to go,” Harrell said.

    That’s why she started her own nonprofit called “Harper’s Home.” The goal of Harper’s Home is to build eight homes in close proximity to the hospital for families with children fighting life-threatening illnesses to stay free of charge. 

    “Being able to stay here and having a roof over their head and not having to worry about it while a child is in treatment,” Harrell said.

    Currently, they are renting two homes three miles away from the hospital as they wait for the city to approve their permits to start building homes on their property. Harper’s mother, Heather Hindin, said renting these homes were only possible because of the giving community.

    “The way I see it is that we, Durham, the city, have kind of a responsibility as the place where Duke Children’s lives to open our arms and embrace the people who are coming here scared, uncertain,” Hindin said.

    Studies show more than half the kids in extended treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital come from over 50 miles away. Those same kids sometimes need to get to the emergency room within 30 minutes if they spike a fever and if not, their condition could become deadly. 

    “When we talk about being two miles or three miles from Duke Children’s, it’s not just convenient. It is in fact, a critical part of treatment,” Hindin said.

    It’s Harrell’s goal to make the lives of families a little bit easier, one home at a time.

    “Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to be able to get to their local world-class hospital or travel to a world-class hospital,” Harrell said.

    If you’d like to help Harrell grow her vision and help a family in need, you can donate at the Harper’s Home website.

     

    Kennedy Chase

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  • ‘Dignity Drive‘ helps shelters across Mecklenburg County

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is using her time and money to help tackle homelessness in her community.

    Tracy Grant bought and collected more than 200 pairs of underwear for the homeless women in Mecklenburg County. She laid them out at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte as part of their “Dignity Drive” while explaining why she chose these items.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tracy Grant donates hundreds of pairs of underwear, socks and hygiene products to homeless shelters

    • The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte says these items are often forgotten and can provide a sense of dignity to those looking to get back on their feet

    • After seeing the need, Grant is making this a quarterly drive

    • You can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte


    “We don’t think about it, but underwear is essential to women for one thing. It’s part of good health, part of good hygiene,” Grant said.

    She said, it’s not something most people think to donate, but can make a big difference. “I think having clean underwear is just what helps boost their self-confidence, and no one should have to go without,” Grant said.

    Along with underwear, Tracy has dozens of individually packaged hygiene products, including sanitary napkins and body wipes.

    It’s not just the women’s shelter. Grant also dropped off over 250 dozen pairs of socks at the Roof Above Howard Levine Men’s Shelter just weeks prior. It’s another item that’s rarely donated, Grant said, but one that’s important.

    “Some people like to sleep in socks, and your feet are one of the most important things on your body. So we need to take care of our feet,” Grant said.

    She explained these things could help people feel dignified while they find housing and eventually a job and a home.

    “I’ve had a lot of people I know that have had success,” Grant said. “So I know it works. It just takes time. It just takes patience. It just takes giving. It just takes conversations, and it just takes grace.”

    The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte Area commander Major Andrew Wiley says he sees the change through these acts of kindness.

    “We’ve just in the last two weeks had two of our residents who have secured jobs,” he said. “Nobody’s thinking about the things that we’re seeing here today. And so this is incredibly exciting for me to see an individual who saw a need and was willing to step up and do something about it, and a need that many times is forgotten.”

    After realizing the great need in the community, Grant has decided to make her “Dignity Drive” a quarterly one to help shelters across Mecklenburg County.

    “We can all be a servant. We can all give back, whether it’s your time, whether it’s your resources. No matter what it is, I think that we all have something to give to someone else,” Grant said.

    Grant’s next donation collection will be in November. If you’d like to help, you can drop off donations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt Street in Charlotte.

    Britni McDonald

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  • Nurse Karla Pedersen recognized for her volunteer work

    PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A Pinellas County nurse’s sense of compassion makes her great at her job at HCA Florida Northside Hospital.

    It’s also the reason the hospital recognized Karla Pedersen for her volunteer work away from the hospital.

    What You Need To Know

    • Karla Pedersen works weekend overnights at HCA Florida Northside hospital in Pinellas County

    • The hospital recognized her for donating the most volunteer hours to the community

    • Pedersen grooms and walks horses and other animals at the A.R.K. in Palm Harbor

    • The organization provides animal therapy to special needs children


    Pedersen works weekend overnights in the neuro ICU at the hospital. She mostly cares for stroke and brain injury patients.

    “We get them where they are at the worst moment of their lives,” she said. “I’ve had bad moments in my life and I’m able to give back some of the compassion that’s been given to me.”

    The hospital recently recognized Pedersen for her volunteer work. She had donated the most hours to the community of any staff member.

    Pedersen volunteers a couple of mornings a week at the A.R.K-Animals Reaching Kids outreach at Live Oaks Bible Church in Palm Harbor. The organization has horses, donkeys, miniature horses and even a cow. They provide animal therapy for special needs children.

    She spends most of her time grooming animals, like a horse named Gabel.

    “We groom all the large animals the same way,” she said. “It keeps them healthy. It keeps them clean.” 

    The grooming also keeps them calm.

    “Some of these special needs kids, when they see a large animal, it makes them nervous, so we need to teach these guys to be calm.”

    Pederson usually comes to A.R.K. early in the morning after she has worked all night at the hospital. It’s a great stress reliever.

    “But then I come here on Monday mornings and it’s my decompress time,” said Pederson, who added that her decompression time includes taking the horses for a walk along a wooded trail.

    She started volunteering at A.R.K. as a project for her homeschooled teenage son.

    “It’s something that I do with my teenager. It gives us common ground. It gives us a place to do something that gives us something that we both enjoy.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Performing arts teacher donates kidney to assistant principal

    FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A Wake County assistant principal now has a new kidney, all thanks to one of the teachers at his school.

    What You Need To Know

    • Assistant Principal Ernest Devane has suffered from kidney disease for a couple of years and was in need of a kidney transplant

    • Kristin Lundberg, a teacher at the same school, matched with Devane and was able to be a donor

    • The surgery was a success, and both are now recovering


    Ernest Devane, the assistant principal at Fuquay-Varina Middle School, received a kidney last month from Kristin Lundberg, the school’s performing arts teacher.

    Devane has suffered from kidney disease for the last couple of years and was looking for a donor.

    Lundberg decided to test to see if she was a match and, luckily, she was. 

    “I was blessed to have a person with a kidney match, my kidney, a direct match, right down the hall from me,” Devane said. 

    “It’s all just kind of meant to be,” said Lundberg, who also shares a birthday with Devane. 

    The successful surgery took place at the end of September. They are both recovering well. 

    Amy Elliott

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  • Julie Taylor loves to serve others in her hometown of Mulberry

    MULBERRY, Fla. — A Mulberry woman has become a beloved figure in her city. Julie Taylor is involved in many good causes in Mulberry.

    On a recent evening, Taylor was at the Studio 37 community center in Mulberry, making sure the volunteers at the Save Our Youth program had everything set up for the children who were coming for the after-school program also known as SOY.

    “What about the sign-in sheets? Are all of those checked?” said Taylor to the volunteers. The snacks for the children included juice packs, and chips were ready too.

    “So, we are just getting set up so when they come in they can just sit out here. So, when the bell rings they won’t have to worry about it. Just go right on in,” she said. The children got their snacks outside while they sat on chairs under the former bank building’s drive-through area.

    Taylor started the SOY program years ago so children could get some extra academic help and wholesome activities.

    “We want our young people to be good citizens. We also want our young people to be educated,” said Taylor. “That’s one of the main goals, that they get a good quality education. If you have a good education, there is nothing that can stop you from doing what you want to do.”

    Taylor said she has many faithful volunteers for the program. “We could not have a good SOY program without the children and the parents. They want to learn, and that’s the main thing.”

    Taylor is also known for giving monthly community updates to city commissioners at their meeting.

    “Well, Ms. Taylor is our ace in the hole,” said Commissioner Neil Devine. “She’s very politically active, and she really doesn’t know it. Ms. Taylor is known everywhere in the city of Mulberry.”

    Taylor is also president of the Concerned Citizens of Mulberry organization. It helps run community cultural events and big back to school events to provide children with school supplies.

    Taylor loves her city. “Everybody knows everybody,” she said. “I went to school here. Go to church here. We go to Walmart together. Everybody knows everybody. It’s a small town, but it does great things. And the people here love each other.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Triad dental hygienist finds passion volunteering overseas

    GREENSBORO, N.C. – Sarah Cline has combined her dentistry skills with her passion for volunteering to help people in need as far away as Africa.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarah Cline has volunteered her dentistry skills to help those in Mississippi, Africa and the Triad 

    • Cline went to Togo in West Africa and did a week’s worth of volunteer work 

    • She cared for some patients who had never seen a dentist

    • The experience has changed her life in wanting to help those who are in need


    A dental hygienist, Cline helped out recently at the Servant Center, a nonprofit in Greensboro that was holding its Triad Stand Down event. It’s a way for veterans in the community to get free haircuts and dental, vision and hearing checkups.

    Her volunteering spirit began with a trip overseas.

    “I went to Togo in West Africa, which is a small little skinny country beside Ghana. And we did a week’s worth of like dental mission work. So we went out to multiple like feeding centers, schools,” Cline said.

    For a week she treated hundreds of people, children and adults, who had never seen a dentist.

    “You think you’re going over there to help, but they’re actually helping you in a different place in life,” Cline said.

    She said the experience changed her, inspiring her to go back a second time.

    “You see like how they’ve grown and everything. And it’s just a huge change. Like the first year you see them. They’ve never had a toothbrush or toothpaste. I mean they use like branches off a tree there,” Cline said.

    That experience inspired her to bring that same service back home.

    “Both my parents are veterans, so it resonates with me. They served our country, so many times so I think they should have access to those things,” Cline said.

    A Mississippi native, Cline helped at free clinics in her home state and now in Africa and the Triad, making sure no one is left behind.

    “Back in Mississippi, we had a free clinic in Jackson. So, on Saturdays I was on the board. So, I would go just about two Saturdays a month, and we would clean and take care of people who were homeless or fresh out of prison,” she said.

    Cline said her goal is the same wherever she’s helping out – to give people a reason to smile.

    “I love being able to help people that are in need of it because it’s really important,” Cline said. “Everyone needs it. So everyone deserves a chance to get things looked at and checked.”

    Ashley Van Havere

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  • ‘Living with a purpose’: Ohioan starts nonprofit to help prevent youth violence

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — To help combat a rise in youth violence, one former gang member is using his experience to help steer some of the community’s most vulnerable toward a safer path.

    What You Need To Know

    • The nonprofit Ours Brothers Keepers provides support and resources to at-risk youth in Columbus to help prevent violence

    • The organization was founded by a former member of the Short North Posse gang after his release from prison as a way to give back and steer some of the community’s most vulnerable down a safer path

    • The nonprofit provides participants between the ages of 7 and 24 a variety of services like food, shelter, mentoring and an opportunity to learn life skills

    “This is a dream come true,” said Wesley Moore. “It’s like getting the lottery.”

    Wesley said he founded the nonprofit Ours Brothers Keepers to provide support and resources he never had while growing up.

    “I know how it feels to be at risk,” he said. “I know how it feels to not have a home, not have a kitchen table. So this is something that I try to provide for every youth who is going through the same similar story.”

    Wesley said that he and his brother Markey were raised surrounded by drugs and violence in Columbus.

    “You didn’t think nothing over it,” he said. “You didn’t think nothing was wrong with it. You know, most people, when we came out the house hungry and stuff, it was, ‘Here get some drugs.’”

    As he got older, Wesley joined the local gang.

    “So you start growing up, you see people,” he said. “That’s what you think; that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

    At age 18, a federal grand jury indicted Wesley and more than 40 other original members of the Short North Posse.

    He served 15 years in prison.

    “I pointed the fingers at everybody, like man, I can’t believe they got me put in jail,” Wesley said. “And so, like, after five years, I was like, I realized I put myself in here. I start realizing I made the choice. I made the decision.”

    He said he used the time while incarcerated to educate himself and said the experience gave him the vision for the nonprofit.

    “I don’t run from my past,” Wesley said. “It’s what God put me through. Had me walk this way to understand who I am today. So I’m thankful for it.”

    He said he drove trucks for 10 years after his release to earn the money to buy the East Columbus properties where his vision would turn into reality.

    “A lot of these kids are so in survival mode to where we break them in to show love or support,” Wesley said.

    Ours Brothers Keepers officially became a nonprofit organization five years ago to provide services missing in the community. He said they have received some financial support from the Columbus Mayor’s Office and the Franklin County Office on Aging, but most of what they provide is paid from their own pockets, earned through a construction company the brothers also operate.  

    “We don’t know nothing too much about grants and stuff,” Wesley said.

    Instead, he said they stretch a shoestring budget to provide for those between the ages of seven and 24 who show up daily, referred to the program through court systems, parents, social media and word of mouth.

    “My grandmother used to make a big, giant pot of spaghetti and feed 100 people, so I know we can make whatever little bit of money we had to make sure 65 youth stay safe and violence free,” he said.

    Besides mentoring kids and teens, the nonprofit provides several support services, such as food, clothes, skills training, temporary and transitional housing, and a community engagement center with a computer lab.

    At 15-years-old, David Price Jr. is one teen helping build some of the transitional housing through his participation in the program.

    “Teach us how to, like, save our money, teach us how to trade, put up drywall and keeping us safe,” he said.

    They are also learning how to earn an income. The kids are paid $15 an hour for their work helping bring Markey’s plans to life.

    “I always said, once I get older, I want to own homes and get in construction, so I’d never be homeless,” Markey said.

    The young adults are also paid for their work helping seniors in the community with their lawn care. The maintenance is free for the seniors and a way to provide the kids a sense of purpose.

    The young adults are also paid for their work helping seniors in the community with their lawn care. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Jordan)

    “Put the guns down, pick up a check,” Wesley said. “Now the kids are like, ‘I don’t want no guns, I’m trying to get some money.’”

    Wesley said participants may not have weapons, which is one way the nonprofit is having a positive impact on community violence.

    “The violence will really go down and stay down, because the kids know they got an opportunity to make some money to be able to feed their family,” Wesley said. “A lot of that $300 go a long way at their house.”

    He said some of the most violent youth in the city are involved with Ours Brothers Keepers, including members of the Kia Boys, teaching them to own up to their bad choices and take responsibility.

    “I can honestly say, they ain’t stolen a car in two years,” Wesley said. “And the cars that were stolen that they did, I made sure they paid back the victims.”

    Wesley said his goal is to provide 100 kids, like Semaj Burgess, a place to go and something to do year-round.

    “Taught me just how to be a better person, how to better myself,” Burgess said while pushing a lawnmower.

    This is the 14-year-old’s second year in the program, and he is proud of his growth, learning the importance of brotherhood and community.

    “During school, like, I’m not gonna lie, I was getting into a lot of trouble,” Burgess said. “Just not knowing how to communicate with people. Or how to like treat people.”

    He said his parents’ love that he is getting something out of the experience and being productive.

    “They’re telling me how much I been changing since I been coming here, at least,” Burgess said. “Hearing that coming from my parents, it just means something more.”

    He now has a new focus on the future and the path to get there.

    “I have a purpose in life that’s way bigger than just fighting,” he said.

    Wesley hopes to continue living his dream by having a positive impact and making the community safer for everyone.

    “And I think that’s very important cause that’s our motto: living with a purpose,” he said.

    Jenna Jordan

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  • Triad man raises money, awareness about heart disease

    GREENSBORO, N.C. — People gathered this weekend to raise awareness and money to fight cardiovascular disease, which the America Heart Association says is the leading cause of death in the United States.

    The Triad Heart Walk was held at Triad Park in Kernersville on Saturday. It’s one of six Heart Walks held across the state each year.

    Greg Stump served as the chairperson of this year’s walk and said his community connections helped to recruit companies and organizations to take part in the walk and raise money.

    Stump is a vice president with the Budd Group, a facilities services company. His company is a sponsor, and employees take part in the walk.

    “I cannot count the number of times that we’ve had employees that have had to be taken into care because of high blood pressure or what became later learned is a heart attack. And, it’s a need for our employees to be able to know where they can get health care and how having health care can prevent the heart diseases that the American Heart Association is focused on working with,” he said.  

    It’s not just a professional endeavor for Stump. It’s personal.

    His mother suffered a stroke in 2009.

    “The prognosis was not good,” Stump said.

    She spent eight weeks in a hospital, but Stump said his dad got her the care she needed. 

    “After about three and a half months or so, she walked out of the rehab center and returned home and of course, she is still with us today,” he said. Stump said she has even written a book about her experience with having a stroke.

    “The research and work that’s done by the Heart Association was a part of her recovery and understanding how to prevent this from happening again,” he said.

    Stump said his family started participating in Heart Walks about 15 years ago. The importance of heart health hit the family again, however, when two of his wife’s cousins died in recent years in their early 60s.

    “It was really a wake-up call for us to think about how, you know, we can do all the right things, but we just don’t know if we haven’t gone and sought the right medical care,” Stump said. 

    Now, he’s trying to do all he can to educate and protect his team and others.

    “One thing that we want to do is not only be working to provide healthy lifestyles for our employees but also bring people together as a community.

    Stump said people who signed up for the Heart Walk had access to a video teaching CPR skills. That training and education is a big part of the American Heart Association’s efforts.

    The organization says CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. 

    Stump has also been involved in a campaign called “Doctor, it’s been too long.”

    The message is simple: if you feel bad, you need to go to the doctor. If not, you don’t know what you’re dealing with.

    Justin Quesinberry

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  • 13-year-old Chloe Walker has a passion for volunteer work

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County middle school student is serving her community in more than one way. Thirteen-year-old Chloe Walker volunteers at an organization making sure school children don’t go hungry. She is also helping children of all abilities get a chance to learn how to dance.

    What You Need To Know

    • Chloe Walker has trained and performed as a dancer for years

    • Walker likes to volunteer at Dancing for a Difference in Brandon with special needs students

    • She also volunteers with the kidsPACK organization in Polk County

    • Walker attends Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale


    On a recent evening, Walker was at the Dancing for a Difference studio in Brandon. She was helping founder and director Sara Battaglia with a group of special needs children. Walker has spent years in dancing classes and performing dance.

    “I like dancing because I feel like I can express myself whether I am speaking of just doing it through movements. It’s really helped me grow into the person I am today,” she said.

    Walker has a great time volunteering with the special needs students.

    “I like working with kids with special abilities, so they know they aren’t left out and they are no different from any other kid,” she said.

    Chloe and her mother, Holly Walker, started something called Chloe’s Creative Movers Fund. It provides a dance scholarship for a child who can’t afford classes.

    “The person we sponsor is anonymous, so I don’t know who it is,” said Walker. “But it is so good to know I am making a change and an impact in my community.”

    Chloe Walker has also been a volunteer for several years with kidsPACK in Polk County. It provides take-home meals to thousands of low-income children. This year she got people to donate nearly 900 Pop-Tarts to kidsPACK.

    “I see of lot of myself in Chloe,” said Battaglia. “She has a lot of the same heart and mission that I had at her age. I always wanted to give back.”

    Walker attends Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale. She was recently crowned National United Junior Miss 2025-26.

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Denver7 Everyday Hero provides thousands of tennis racquets to Colorado kids

    DENVER – When you give a kid a racquet, you give them more than a chance to hit a ball – you give them a shot at belonging. For more than 17 years, Tom Talmadge has been making sure cost isn’t a barrier to that opportunity.

    Talmadge co-founded Racquets for All in 2008 with the help of the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation. What began as a way for tennis players to put their old racquets to good use has grown into a statewide effort that has collected and redistributed more than 12,500 racquets and nearly 100,000 tennis balls to kids and schools across Colorado.

    Jordan Ward

    “We gather racquets and clothes from other tennis players that don’t want them anymore, and then I restring them or rewrap the grips and bring them out here for kids who can’t afford them,” Talmadge said.

    Unlike large nonprofits with paid staff and overhead, Racquets for All is entirely volunteer-driven. Storage space has never been an issue, thanks to Talmadge’s generosity. His basement has doubled as the sorting hub for donated gear since day one, saving the program thousands of dollars.

    “When we first started, we were trying to figure out what to do in terms of storage of racquets,” said Rachel Morley with Racquets for All. “Tom offered up his basement. And his basement has been our storage facility since the start.”

    Kristy Harris with USTA Colorado said the program answers a question she hears often from former players: “Who could I give my used racquets to? They’re still in really good shape. I’d love to make sure they go to someone who could really use it.”

    For families, the cost of tennis gear is often the biggest obstacle to getting kids involved.

    raquets 3.png

    Jordan Ward

    “One of the biggest barriers in sports is access to equipment,” said Anne Ginnold, a guest teacher at the Steven Nash Tennis Academy. “If you go to a club, it’s expensive. And a lot of kids and families can’t afford it.”

    That’s where Talmadge steps in. Not only does he restring, regrip, and prepare racquets himself, but he also delivers them, sometimes driving two hours each way to hand-deliver gear to schools in places like Pueblo and Fort Morgan.

    To date, thousands of kids have picked up a racquet through the program, some going on to play in high school, college, and beyond. “It’s amazing to hear the stories of kids who pick up a racquet through Racquets for All and make it a sport that they choose to play in high school, college, and beyond,” Morley said.

    For many in Colorado’s tennis community, Talmadge’s impact goes far beyond the game. “It matters and he sees how it matters, way beyond tennis,” Harris said. “Racquets for All absolutely would not be the program it is today without Tom.”

    Denver7 features a different Everyday Hero each week. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.

    Richard Butler

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  • ‘It calms me down’: Dog therapy helps those with memory loss diseases

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman and dog lover discovered how helpful therapy pets can be for those suffering from memory loss completely by accident. 

    Joan Wright first found this form of therapy when it helped her father. She said he had a larger-than-life personality until showing signs of dementia. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Dog therapy is shown to improve mood and facilitate social interaction among dementia patients, according to Alzheimer’s Association

    • The CEO of N.C. memory loss center says pet therapy provides connection and engagement that helps patients’ quality of life

    • Dogs used in dog therapy go through intensive behavioral training to prepare them to respond safely in unfamiliar settings like a medical office

    • You can coordinate a dog therapy visit by visiting this website 


    “One day I noticed that when he was with his Cavalier King Charles [Spaniel] dog on his lap, he was a lot calmer and that calmed me down. And I would sit down, and we would have dog talk because that’s what he would be able to talk about,” Wright said.

    She takes her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Oliver and Brodie, into Memory & Movement Charlotte for a special visit. Staff members rush to greet these furry friends.

    “One doesn’t want the other to get any more attention,” Wright said.

    These playful pups are here specifically for people like Laurie Purvis. She was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease this year.

    “Finding out I had Alzheimer’s just like absolutely blew my mind. I was so upset,” Purvis said. But she says interacting with a dog helps her to relax.

    “It calms me down to sit there and pet the dog,” Purvis said.

    It’s something her sister and now caregiver, Kathleen Purvis, says helps her too.

    “My dog, you know, curls in and makes me feel better when I’m scared to death about all of this,” she said.

    People with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are known to lose their memories and have trouble communicating. But dog therapy is showing promise in making them feel calm and connected. Those stories are why Wright does this work.

    The CEO of Memory & Movement Charlotte, Janet LeClair, said this kind of connection is more important than you’d think.

    “Even with pet therapy, there is a strong element of socialization. And so feeling that connection to people, to engagement is probably the most important thing for people and for their quality of life,” LeClair said.

    “It’s not about sort of curing the disease. It’s about creating moments of joy when they’re around a dog,” Wright said.

    Wright said Oliver and Brodie are professionals. They go through intensive behavioral training to prepare them to respond safely in unfamiliar settings, like a medical office. She said if you or someone who know wants to have a dog therapy visit, you can click here.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Foster parents Aaron and Jolene Slavik adopt five children

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County couple has adopted five children over the past three years. Jolene and Aaron Slavik adopted the children after taking in dozens of foster children. 

    The first child the couple adopted was a boy who they had taken in as a foster child.

    The adoption was finalized in 2022. That boy is now 14-years-old. Then, they adopted three young siblings in 2023. Finally, they adopted a little girl in 2024.

    “Then I said there is no more room in the inn, and we are done,” Aaron said with a smile and a laugh.

    What You Need To Know

    • Aaron and Jolene Slavik have been foster parents to dozens of children

    • Their two biological children encouraged the foster home idea

    • The couple decided to start adopting foster children several years ago

    • The Slaviks stay very busy caring for the special needs of their five adopted children


    The couple has a very busy schedule keeping up with the special needs of the children. The children have various physical and other issues that require trips to specialists. Aaron says he keeps up with all the appointments by using an online calendar.

    “I haven’t been bored in seven years. I don’t remember what that’s like anymore,” said Aaron.

    The Slaviks try to keep a very structured environment in their home. That includes special exercises for the children.

    “We do occupational therapy with our children to help regulate their system,” said Jolene. “We have learned through our OT (occupational therapist) to do different exercises that get all their large motor skills going to regulate their systems. Because if the children are dysregulated when they go to school today their brain is not going to be set to learn,” she said.

    The Slaviks have pictures of many of their former foster children on a wall along the stairs leading to the second floor. One of the reasons they chose to adopt was because of the heartbreak of the foster children leaving their home.

    “All of our foster kids we considered ours as well, said Aaron. “And we loved them like they were ours. We never went on a vacation without them.”

    Jolene said it was a special moment when adoptions were finalized. “Once you are told they are yours it’s like your heart just explodes.”

    The couple’s two biological children were 11 and 14-years-old when they started fostering children. They encouraged their parents to take in foster children and then to adopt.

    “And because they came to us and asked us, it became a family ministry for us,” said Jolene. The biological children are now adults. “Our daughter does their hair, and our son comes and brings them to the park or brings them to Disney.”

    “We have looked at this like it was a higher calling for us,” said Aaron. “It was something I never planned on. I planned on two kids and being done. But it’s kind of that old phrase,” he said. “Man makes plans and God laughs.”

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Denver7 Everyday Hero carries on a family legacy of volunteering at Rose Medical Center

    DENVER — At HCA HealthOne Rose Medical Center, volunteers are often the first faces patients see when they walk in the door. Their work goes beyond directions and paperwork – they bring calm, comfort, and compassion to people navigating some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

    Few embody that spirit better than Joann Dawe, a volunteer at Rose for nearly 25 years – and the third generation in her family to serve the hospital.

    “Rose truly is a special place,” said Casey Guber, president and CEO of Rose Medical Center. “Volunteering and giving back to the community is core to who we are.”

    Joann Dawe

    Dawe’s connection to Rose began at birth. She is one of the hospital’s earliest “Rose Babies,” born there in 1950. Her mother, Naomi, and grandmother, Nellie, were both longtime volunteers. Dawe’s daughter and three grandchildren were also born at Rose, continuing a family tradition.

    That history became deeply personal for Dawe in 2001, when her mother passed away. “I started volunteering here in 2001 after my mother passed away,” Dawe said. “My mom was taking care of the books, and the volunteer coordinator didn’t know anybody else who could do that, so I would come in once a month, even while I was working full time.”

    What began as stepping in to help became a lifelong calling. Today, Dawe divides her time between the hospital’s main information desk and the human resources department. At the desk, she greets and directs patients and families, often walking them personally to appointments. In HR, she organizes files, prepares orientation packets, and assists with flu clinics and special projects.

    “She’s my go-to volunteer,” said Megan Brotherson, volunteer coordinator and director of rehab services. “She works both at the front desk and in human resources, and she trains our new volunteers. She’s extremely patient, always smiling, and even when five people are waiting at once, she stays calm and makes sure everyone feels cared for.”

    dawe 2.png

    Richard Butler

    Colleagues say Dawe’s impact is immeasurable – freeing up staff to focus on patient care while ensuring visitors never feel lost or alone. She also takes on small but meaningful tasks, like delivering menorahs to every department during Hanukkah, helping Rose celebrate its community roots.

    “Joann’s wonderful,” Guber said. “She’s an integral part of our team. Seeing her give back in the ways she does really just comes full circle.”

    For Dawe, the motivation is simple – giving back to the community where she was born and raised.

    “It’s just something that I do because it makes me feel good, and I know that it’s helping the hospital,” she said. “If you’re looking for a way to help others, volunteering is one of the best things you can do.”

    Denver7 features a different Everyday Hero each week. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.

    Richard Butler

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