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Tag: Everyday Heroes

  • Caregivers receive night of relaxation through sound healing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Caregiving is a demanding job. In fact, according to an AARP report, more than 60% of caregivers say that responsibility increases their level of stress and worry.

    A North Carolina woman is volunteering her time and expertise to give a group of caregivers a night of peace and relaxation using sound.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 60% of caregivers say caregiving increases their level of stress and worry, according to an AARP report

    • Sound alchemist Racquel Washington uses sound bowls and instruments to help provide sound healing

    • One caregiver said she could “feel the colors” during the sound bath and meditation

    • The Gladys Love Project helps coordinate nights of relaxation and provides regular events for caregivers


    Sound alchemist Racquel Washington uses various instruments like wind chimes, an ocean drum and crystal sound bowls to provide what she calls sound healing.

    “All of the bowls are tuned to different frequencies, which actually work in harmony with different parts of the body,” Washington said.

    Those receiving this kind of healing sit in chairs or lay on the ground for what may be the only hour of peace they have all day. They’re all caregivers, and Washington says this sound bath and meditation allows them to focus on their own needs for a moment.

    “With so many people relying on them, it’s just really important that we offer some space focused on their wellness as they are focusing on making sure that other people are well and have what they need,” Washington said.

    Dayna Wade takes care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease and says the sessions have worked for her.

    “I actually felt the colors when she was playing the instruments,” she said. “And I felt peaceful. I felt present in my body, and it was just a beautiful experience.”

    Kym Motley of the nonprofit, the Gladys Love Project, helped coordinate this night of relaxation. She says the community you can gain from events like this is also key.

    “I would say that community is so important, and that will counter the effects of senior isolation, which does lead to early death and caregiver burden, the enormous amount of stress that caregivers are under,” Motley said.

    Washington does this for a living but offers it up to groups like this from time to time because she believes everyone should have access to the benefits.

    “This allows us to create an environment where hopefully those caregivers have an overflow that they can now pour from instead of pouring from an empty cup,” Washington said.

    The Gladys Love Project offers regular events like this for caregivers.

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

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    Britni McDonald

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  • Wesley Chapel deli owners have a heart for helping people in need

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — The owners of an Italian deli in Wesley Chapel have a real heart for helping people in need.

    What You Need To Know

    • Charles and Nancy Frankulin are this week’s Everyday Heroes.

    • During the Christmas season, the couple organizes a gift drive for less fortunate children. Customers would bring in the gifts, and Charles and Nancy would wrap them and place them around a tree.  

    • The couple feels like they are acting on their faith by helping people.

    • Would you like to nominate an Everyday Hero? Click here.


    Charles and Nancy Frankulin set up a food pantry inside their business, and during the holiday season they were making sure kids got Christmas presents. 

    Inside Bosco’s Italian to Go, Charles loves everything about making pizzas. He’s able to spin the dough with his hands to get it just the right size.

    “I have been doing this so long that half the time I don’t even have to look at what I am doing,” he said.

    Then, before adding the toppings, he runs a roller over the dough. “This pokes little holes in the dough so, if any bubbles start to form, they can only go so far before they hit one of these little holes,” he said.

    In the front lobby of Bosco’s, Nancy was proud to show off their food pantry made up of some shelves by the front window.

    “So this is the Bosco’s food bank,” she said. “We have everything from cans of chili to vegetable soup.”

    Nancy said the couple set up the pantry during the pandemic when people had lost jobs and would sometimes come in to ask for a free slice of pizza. Customers have been very gracious to bring in food and even toiletries. A back part of the business is devoted to keeping pantry supplies organized. 

    “They bring everything in, and then me and my husband sort it out,” said Nancy. 

    During the Christmas season, the couple organizes a gift drive for less fortunate children. Customers would bring in the gifts, and Charles and Nancy would wrap them and place them around a tree.  

    “The high school football team actually donated this for my teenagers,” Nancy said about some small boxes containing gifts that teenagers would like. 

    The couple feels like they are acting on their faith by helping people. “And that’s what we do. We are called to serve,” Nancy said. “We are called to give. And we are answering the call.”

    Charles loves the Christmas season.

    “It’s joy. The entire time of the year. It’s presents and family, food, fun. I wish it was year round,” he said.

    This year the couple was able to provide presents for 80 children.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • Restored American Girl Dolls brighten holidays for military connected children

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    OHIO — Often, some of life’s beautiful moments are inspired by tragic events that change our lives forever. Many people find ways to move forward by giving back to a cause of organization that hits close to home.

    What You Need To Know

    • Vicki and Allan Carleton started Trey’s Dolls in honor of their son

    • For a decade they’ve been restoring and repairing American Girl Dolls and donating them to children in hospitals or even impacted by the Texas and North Carolina floods

    • Blue Star Families of Dayton and SWOH teamed up with Trey’s Dolls to give nearly 40 dolls to military connected children

    • The dolls were a surprise and parents wrote letters explaining why a doll would make a difference…every girl received a doll

    With a steady hand, delicate skill and a little TLC Vicki and Allan Carleton have spent a lot of time over the past decade bringing dolls back to life.

    Many of the dolls are the classic American Girl Dolls.

    They started Trey’s Dolls in honor of their son.

    “He was diagnosed with Berkins lymphoma on Dec. 3, when they did exploratory surgery to see what this lump was in his side. And two days later, he passed away still in the hospital,” said Vicki Carleton.

    Through charities, organizations, and social media, word of Trey’s Dolls spread.

    Some people send them brand new dolls, and others that have been loved over the years.

    Their restored dolls have gone to hospitals and even into the arms of little girls after disasters like the Texas and North Carolina floods. 

    “If we get used dolls, and they’re going to the hospital, then we have to take all the stuffing out and wash it and sanitize,” said Vicki.

    “It makes me feel wonderful that we’re able to do it and that we’ve learned over time,” Allan said. “I just feel like a small part of the process.”

    Allan is a Navy veteran.

    When they aren’t working on dolls at home, sometimes they’ll bring them to the Fisher House on the Dayton VA Medical Center campus.

    Allan receives radiation treatments for his own cancer diagnosis, and staying at the Fisher House saves them the stress of driving back and forth.

    “I just can’t tell you how much it means,” Allan said.

    It was through a connection at the Fisher House that the Carletons made contact with Blue Star Families of Dayton and Southwestern Ohio and executive director Geri Maples.

    Shortly after, an idea to gift the dolls to military connected young girls came to reality.

    The girls received gifts but had no idea that a restored American Girl Doll waited inside.

    The Carletons have gifted hundreds of dolls, but it’s not often they get to see them opened in real time. 

    “Initially I said 20 would be selected, but I read all their stories and I’m like ‘nope they all have to have one’. I was in tears reading some of these stories about what it would mean to them,” said Maples.

    “She’s our only girl, we have three boys. So this was kind of special for her that it was the only event with her by herself and no brothers,” said mother and veteran spouse Mia Bennett.

    “This is an amazing experience that I couldn’t give my daughter, that they were able to do that for her, so I really appreciate it, thank you,” said mother and Marine Corps veteran Ashlee Almazan.

    “Moving sometimes seven or eight times throughout a school year, having to make new friends, an American Girl Doll can go with you anywhere,” Maples said.

    For the Carletons, they were able to take their son’s memory another step.

    “I think he would absolutely love it. He loved children. He had two children, and he loved his two children so much. And I think he would have loved that they are military families,” said Vicki.

    Vicki and Allan donated nearly 40 dolls to Blue Star Families of Dayton and Southwestern Ohio.

    The non-profit hosts free events and outreach opportunities all year long for military members, veterans and their families. 

    For more information, click here.

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    Alese Underwood

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