My Unsung Hero

Jon told his high school principal, Mr. Barnett, that he planned to drop out of school. But Mr. Barnett implored him to earn his diploma — which set Jon on a path to success.

After Vivian’s young son threw sand on another child at a park, she assumed she was about to be judged for poor parenting. Instead, she received words of admiration that continue to bolster her years later.

After receiving irregular test resultsAlexis left her doctor’s appointment in tears. On her way out of the office, a receptionist stopped Alexis and held her while she cried. It is a moment she will never forget.

In the late 1980s, Stephanie was driving to an appointment when she was hit by a large pickup truck. As she stood on the sidewalk crying, a woman came up to her and handed her a cup of tea.

The driver who took Ashley Blas to a cemetery noticed grass covering part of her mother’s gravestone. So he dropped to his knees – in a full suit – and cleared the grass from the grave.

About 30 years ago, Nancy ran the New York City Marathon. When she finished, she headed to the reunion area to greet her family — only to discover that her 8-year-old son was missing. After a frantic search, a woman appeared, holding her son’s hand.

In 1968, when Terry was four, she and her two young siblings were left briefly in the car by themselves. Her one-year-old brother accidentally hit the gearshift, and the car began to roll downhill, toward oncoming traffic. Then a young man rushed over.

On New Year’s Eve of 2022, Eleanor’s car broke down at the post office. Over the next 40 minutes, five different people came over to lend a hand. One woman followed Eleanor home for tea, and they remain friends today.

Glenna’s father was a firefighter for years. Early in his career, he almost died in a house fire. The man who saved his life turned into a forever friend — and someone Glenna’s family will always cherish.