Here are the top 10 Heroes of 2013, in alphabetical
order:
DALE
Dale Beatty: Making life easier for disabled veterans
After Dale Beatty lost his legs in the Iraq war, his
community thanked him for his service by helping him build a home. To pay it
forward, Beatty co-founded Purple Heart Homes, which has helped build or modify
homes for dozens of disabled U.S. veterans. "We wouldn't leave someone
behind on the battlefield," Beatty said.
GEORGE
Georges Bwelle: Bringing health care to the jungle
For decades, Georges Bwelle watched his father suffer,
unable to get the medical attention he needed. Now a doctor, Bwelle travels
into the jungles of his native Cameroon nearly every weekend, providing free
medical care for those who don't have access to good health care. "To make
people laugh, to reduce the pain, that's why I'm doing this," he said.
ROBIN
Robin Emmons: Creating an oasis in a 'food desert'
More than 72,000 people in Charlotte, North Carolina,
lack access to fresh produce. When Robin Emmons discovered this problem, she
took action. "I decided to rip up my whole backyard and make it all a garden
for people in need," she said. Since 2008, Emmons has grown more than
26,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables for area residents.
DANIELLE
Danielle Gletow: Granting wishes for foster kids
Foster children don't often get the things other children
do, but Danielle Gletow is trying to help change that. She posts their wishes
online so the public can help grant them. "I'm here to be the mom to all
these kids who might not feel like they have one," she said. Since 2008,
her group has helped grant more than 6,500 wishes in 42 states.
TAWANDA
Tawanda Jones: Giving kids a way off deadly streets
Tawanda Jones is using dance to empower the youth of
Camden, New Jersey, one of the poorest cities in the country. Through Jones'
drill team program, at least 4,000 children have learned discipline, respect
and community service -- and all of them have graduated high school. "We
need to take back our city and, most importantly, take back our youth,"
Jones said.
RICHARD
Richard Nares: Helping sick kids get to chemo
For many children fighting cancer, it can be extremely
tough to make it to their chemotherapy appointments. But Richard Nares started
a group that gives them transportation and support. "No child should miss
their cancer treatment due to lack of transportation," said Nares, who
lost his son to leukemia in 2000.
KAKENYA
Kakenya Ntaiya: Educating girls for the first time
Kakenya Ntaiya is inspiring change in her native Kenyan
village. After becoming the first woman in the village to attend college in the
United States, she returned to open the village's first primary school for
girls. "Our work is about empowering the girls," Ntaiya said.
"They are dreaming of becoming lawyers, teachers, doctors."
CHAD
Chad Pregracke: Cleaning up America's rivers
Chad Pregracke has made it his life's work to clean up
the Mississippi River and other American waterways. Since 1998, about 70,000 volunteers
have helped Pregracke remove more than 7 million pounds of garbage from 23
rivers across the country. "Picking up garbage, it's tough, miserable and
hot," Pregracke said. "We try to make it fun."
ESTELLA
Estella Pyfrom: Bringing computers to kids in need
Estella Pyfrom used her life savings to create
"Estella's Brilliant Bus," a mobile computer lab that provides
tutoring for thousands of low-income students in Palm Beach County, Florida.
"It's not just a bus, it's a movement," Pyfrom said. "And we're
going to keep making a difference."
LAURA
Laura Stachel: Lighting the way for safe childbirths
Laura Stachel created a special "solar
suitcase" to help health-care workers deliver babies in more than 20
developing countries. "I really want a world where women can deliver
babies safely and with dignity," Stachel said.
As part of their award package, each top 10 Hero will
also receive free organizational training from the Annenberg Foundation, a
leading supporter of nonprofits worldwide. The Heroes will participate in a
customized version of the Annenberg Alchemy program, which offers practical
guidance to help strengthen organizations for long-term success.
