Our Heroes…

•  NAME: Sean Bellamy
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My parents deserve flowers because no matter what obstacle or reason I present them with to give up on me, they never have. Immensely inspirational people who are the reason I’ve never given up, either.

• NAME: Kathie Munroe
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: She is a gift to my life, always ready to give but hesitant to take . She is a star among the sky. She has been by my side through good and bad, yet never asking for anything in return. To know her is to be blessed. God gave me a special bundle when He sent her to me.

•  NAME: Kristanna
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My hero is my friend Nate. He lives in Minnesota & I live in Santa Barbara,CA. Once a year, he travels here with his mom to participate in the Barbara Ireland Walk for the Cure. While here in S.B., he noticed our homeless downtown and along the waterfront and wanted to help. So Nate frequently donates to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission to help feed & house those in need. If that’s not enough contribution to our community, Nate also gives gifts to Christian school Providence Hall located in Santa Barbara.
  I must also share a story of when we were out to eat at a restaurant when Nate saw two young soldiers in uniform a few tables away. When he paid our check he handed ten dollars to the server & told her to bring the soldiers any pie they wanted for dessert and to tell them “thank you”. That’s the kind of thoughtful, wonderful, selfless person Nate is! Nate has such a big heart and gives so much to others. He is such an inspiration to me and is my hero! Flowers from you, Kathy, would make him so happy! He deserves it. Thank you, Kathy:)

• NAME: Beverly Lancaster
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: Eva Lancaster, my hero, is a gracious and loving young woman who adores her work at Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, New York. She works as assistant curator of animals and she lends her expertise in not only caring for many animals, but also educating children and their families about wildlife conservation and animal care. Unfortunately, Eva endures a chronic challenge with GI disease. But, you never see remnants of that challenge on her facial expression, as she glows with appreciation of others. Eva is of depth. Yes, she blesses me daily by being my daughter. She also blesses me my teaching me, loving me…

•  NAME: Donna Jeffords
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My son Brad is my true hero in life. His heart is so good. The love he has for his family and friends is so genuine and he is always there for us. He inspires me by how much he gives to others and never expects anything in return. Giving roses to his loved ones gives him the most joy! He can not give enough roses away! I can only imagine how it would make him feel to be the receiver of such a gift. He would never expect it.

• NAME: Gigi Martin
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My dad is a Marine vet who served during the Vietnam conflict…he instilled a love of God and country in me. We never had much growing up, not even a family car or home phone but we always had what we needed.My dad rode a bicycle every where he went, rain or snow, to work, on “road” trips…He even rode from SC to TN to visit my brother and me while we were in college! His discipline and love for riding made him ride in the MS Bike-A-Thon every year in honor of my former preacher’s wife who is living with MS. My mom and dad did their own once they got an empty nest.

  October 2003 my mother had a massive stroke. In a moment’s notice my dad’s life was turned upside down. Doctors said she would never talk or use her right side but before she left the hospital she was walking with a slow gait and speaking enough words to communicate. While in the hospital my dad got the house ready for mom to return home. He cleaned and discarded years of junk she had accumulated…he gave up riding to be with my mother 24/7. He never asked for or hired on any professional caregivers…he has done it all on his own.

  We used to ask if we could sit with mom to give him a break. He would say no…I thought he didn’t believe we could take care of her so I asked him. He said, “I’m afraid something will happen to me…I might get hit while riding…and I won’t be there to look after her.”

  Like the minutemen in days gone by my dad took charge in a moment’s notice. My mother has very minimal use of her hands so my dad must clothe and bathe her, take her to restroom, etc…he prepares all 3 meals daily and he has become quite the domesticated man. He’s even learning how to cook by recipes and is introducing us to some pretty cool dishes!

  I went to their home one day to pick them up for an outing and he called back to me to hang tight because he was getting Mom ready. I overheard the following conversation: She was upset because she had messed up a clean outfit and he was having to change her. He told her not to worry about it…things happen and that wasn’t going to spoil the wonderful evening we had planned.

  My dad learned how to do my mom’s hair and makeup and he even knows how to accessorize her jewelry with what she’s wearing!

  I saw my dad give up almost all he loved doing: attending church every time the doors were open, part-time job, being in the great outdoors, etc. I thought he had every reason to be bitter so one day I asked him how he does it day in and day out and I’ll never forget his reply. He said, “Every time the good Lord allows me to wake up with her I realize I have been given another day to fall in love with her all over again.” Well, it made me cry, humbled me and made me so grateful for a dad that has honored his marriage vows “thru sickness and in health.” My dad has been faithful!

  September 5th my mother will be 71 years old AND they will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary!!

  In my opinion a hero is the one who does the in-thinkable  perhaps with the unimaginable…the hero has the ability to turn ordinary into extraordinary…to do what others refuse to do or are not capable of doing.

  My dad raised a family of 6 with just his income because he wanted my mother to be able to stay at home with the children. There were times I saw them go without to provide for us. I didn’t always realize just how bad we had it…I was just embarrassed that we didn’t have the “simple” things like car or phone but I learned that it wasn’t about what we didn’t have but what we did have. We had a home full of love and laughter and a father who made sure his children were well provided for. Now he supports him and my mother on his retirement and SS benefits and doesn’t ask any thing from anyone.

  My dad does have 2 hobbies that he can do at home. He has been busy writing his family memoirs and he loves model railroading.

  To God be the glory, great things He hath done and will continue to do!!

•  NAME: Gretchen Cooper
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My hero is my attorney Jill Gaulding. She has advocated for my rights for two years as I faced gender discrimination in the USA. Despite personal health challenges, she continues to be my foundation of knowledge, strength and courage.

•  NAME: Stephanie Cottrell
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: Betty Soto is my hero, she has survived breast cancer two times, she is a retired school teacher but she still substitutes at least 3 or 4 days a week, when my mom died of cancer 2 years ago Betty took me under her wings and has been a Mother to me, I would just like the chance to let her know SHE IS MY HERO! Thank You, Sincerely, Stephanie

• NAME: Andi Christensen
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: Kellene Lasetter, my mother.She is someone who glows; her smile, her eyes, her blonde hair. Even in my childhood memories, she is surrounded by golden light. She is my protector and my shiny-armored knight. I grew up in an extremely unstable, tumultuous household; my mother was the mediator and glue that held us together. When things got tense, my mother got tough… with a smile. I remember the days, coming home from school crying, feeling scared and alone during that hellish chapter in life we call “middle school”. My mother didn’t coddle me, she talked to me. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. The right ears with the right words; well, she had them. I have seen my mom jump into action when everyone else stands and stares in shock: helping a girl in the Columbus Circle Starbucks who began having a seizure, using my pillow when I was five during a road trip to prop up the bleeding head of a woman who had just had a wreck on an isolated back country road, leaping off the fifth row of bleachers to catch my childhood best friend before her head slammed into home plate as she passed out from heat exhaustion. My mother has saved animals, adults, children, and families.

  She is the kindest, most genuine human being I have ever met. She does not judge, she does not condescend, she does not lie. Even her flaws spring from beauty; her smile is crooked, sometimes she holds the door open for too many people, and she’ll throw herself in front of a bullet if it means everyone else is safe. I don’t know many people like that, and those that I do I hold incredibly near and dear to me.

  I am 24 years old and I still strive to be more like my mom. She is my hero because she embodies selflessness, fearlessness, and a heart so full of love, I’m scared to death one day it will burst.

•  NAME: Diana Soukounian
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My sister , Christine Adamian, is the hardest working teacher. She works in a classroom with 12 special needs students whom she loves giving all of her attention to. She goes to work every day motivated to change the lives of these children.

•  NAME: katelin schrero
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My Aunt has always lived in California and I in Chicago. I have always been closest to her. She has never failed to be there for me through everything in my life. She has dropped everything in her life at times to mentor me on the phone or for months while visiting her. She is always so positive, funny, inspiring, loving, and generous. She has one fear that she speaks of often and that is that she is all alone. She has no biological children and is in LA for over 20 years with no other family. I want her to know she is loved and that she is my hero and mentor. She is not alone. I love her so much!

•  NAME: Hovig
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: My hero is my love, he is very kind and lovable person, handsome, friendly, good personality, I love him very much.

• NAME: david abrantes
• TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO: Geneva is my hero because she is always there for me. ,through thick and thin, good and bad, always and forever. She is my best friend and my soul-mate  She loves me and takes care of me like its her job. She always helps anyone she can. Be it friends, family, and even strangers and she would do it without even thinking twice. She is the most warm and kind hearted person i have ever met. For that she is my everything and she is MY HERO!!!!!P.s. i see winners would be picked on march 13th (i believe  that would make a wonderful birthday gift for her bday on march 11th. Even if she dosent get the flowers she will still love that she was entered and thought of in this way.
  Thank you