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Tag: everyday hero

  • 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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