OUR HOMETOWN HEROES
Patrick D Smith - Patrick
D Smith has been called Florida ’s greatest author. He has been
nominated for multiple Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. People have asked
that his books be read to them on their death bed. He once spent
several years masquerading as a migrant worker in order to learn how
they are often abused and mistreated. His fictional novels set in
Florida’s history are world famous.
Ed Schick - The
Hamlet Quoting, Motorcycle Riding Hope For The Hopeless – Ed Shick was
raised in a broken home. He often found himself homeless and sleeping
on the beach for weeks at a time. He tested as mentally challenged. Ed
found he wasn’t mentally challenged. He earned a college degree and
went on to open shelters to house and educate the homeless and hopeless.
Hazel Haley - From
Too Ugly To Live To A Beautiful Soul – Hazel Haley thought she was born
too ugly to live. She eventually found her place in the world as a high
school teacher. She was so loved by her school and students that they
wouldn’t let her retire….until she reached age 90! Hazel is a
firecracker who has been sought out by Oprah and the Tonight Show.
Rafael Ortega - A
Law Officer Condemned To Die, Reborn To Serve – Bronx born Rafael
Ortega served the Pompano Beach area as a deputy for over 20 years
until he contracted hepatitis A, B & C while arresting a criminal.
With just days to live, Rafael promised God that he would serve the
Latino community with what was left of his life. Rafael miraculously
lived and the police officer became a peace offerer.
Dolly Hand -
Home Is Where Your Heart Is – Dolly Hand is a wealthy socialite who
should fit in perfectly with her Palm Beach friends. Instead, she uses
her finances and influence to help the poorest of the poor as she
chooses to live among them in one of the most disadvantaged cities in
the state.
Kathy Catino - From
Broken and Beaten To A Shining Beacon – Kathy Catino married the wrong
man. She was beaten, isolated, and locked in a closet for days. She
escaped. Kathy turned her nightmare into an opportunity to help other
battered women and children. She opened nationally acclaimed shelters
in St Pete and Naples and is credited with saving the lives of tens of
thousands of women and children.
Dr. Russell Barber - Teacher
Of Tolerance – Barbara Walters. Tom Brokaw, The Dahli Lama. Billy
Graham. Barry Manilow. Mother Teresa. These are the people who Russell
Barber calls friends. Russell is a 3-time Emmy award winning journalist
and college professor who has dedicated his life to creating dialogue
between people of faith….all faiths.
Choctawhatchee High School - Coming
Together To Change The Future – The word " Choctawhatchee " means "to
come together." 2nd grade teacher Jenifer Bafundo and high school
teacher Linda Evanchyk came together with an idea to change the lives
of thousands of students. They paired successful high schoolers with
disadvantaged second graders as pen pals and mentors. The interaction
between children who would otherwise never have met has changed the
lives of every
Zion D'jatar & Dr. Erroll Findlater - Breaking
The Cycle Of Generational Poverty – Zion D’Jatar is a former high
school principal named for the African word for lion. Dr. Errol
Findlater is a successful surgeon. They have both chosen to move their
families to a community where the majority of residents live in
poverty. They have teamed up to teach kids to succeed in school and in
life.
Jack Nelson - Access
To Success – World Record Holding Swimmer. Gold Medal Winning Olympic
Coach. These are just two of Jack Nelson’s many amazing
accomplishments. Jack’s mother only reached the third grade. His father
reached the fourth grade. Jack was considered too short and stocky to
be a swimmer by many of his competitors. They even made fun og
him....until he blew them out of the water and set world records. Jack
has taught thousands of children to swim and thousands more drowning
prevention while teaching them all that no goal is unreachable and that
character is as important as winning.
