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BY ANGELICA LOUISE PFLEIDER
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I WAS lucky enough to catch the awarding of CNN Heroes 2017. It made me realize how much of a difference people can make as long as they have the drive and the passion for the things they do.
Those nominated were the following:
* Samir Lakhani who established the Eco-Soap bank that recycles old soaps to give to people in developing countries
* Jennifer Maddox from Chicago’s South Side whose after-school program Future Ties provides a safe working and learning place for the kids of her neighborhood
* Rosie Mashale of Cape Town, South Africa who opened an orphanage for 5,000 sick and abandoned children
* Andrew Manzi who uses surfing to help war veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder
* Leslie Morissette whose non-profit organization Grahamtastic Connections provides computers, iPads and other gadgets to children with serious illnesses so they can keep in touch with family and friends
* Mona Patel who, after suffering an accident herself, started a peer support group for amputees
* Khali Sweeney who opened a boxing gym as a place of catharsis for young people to avoid negative feelings
* Aaron Valencia, a former drug addict who started Lost Angels children’s project which focuses on classic car restoration as a positive and productive project to occupy their time
* Stan Hays who gives free barbeque to people in need, mostly survivors of disasters, and
* CNN Hero of the year Amy Wright who opened Bitty and Beau’s Coffee that employs people with disabilities. The shop is named after her two children who have Down Syndrome.
Hearing about their stories I can’t help but feel the utmost respect for these CNN Heroes. They were able to find simple and creative ways to help the people around them.
Some of them out of the goodness of their hearts, some because they are trying to help people who are going through the same things they have, and some who have had a good old “Eureka!” moment.
These heroes without capes are who we really need now. Hopefully more and more people will be inspired to follow their footsteps. (angelica.panaynews@gmail.com)/PN
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