Only Positive News

Mike McCoy is not just any sheriff.  He is a sheriff with a kind heart and a lot of endurance.  This Peoria, Illinois sheriff runs for the kids at the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis.  McCoy says that he runs for them because they can’t.  McCoy began staging runs in 1982.  Back then their goal was $25,000 and they were unable to meet it.  Today, their goal is $1 million and they should top it in pledges and donations. 

McCoy has always said that nothing would keep him from running for the kids.  However, this year McCoy’s pledge was tested when he was hit by a truck in January.  The truck hit both him and another runner shattering McCoy’s pelvis and almost killing him.  The doctors believed that he would never be able to run again but McCoy wasn’t going to let that happen.  He may be slower than he was in the past, but he is more motivated than ever.  He believes that he has been given a second chance for the children he dearly loves and cares for.

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Three years ago, he was lauded as a hero.  But today, he continues to help others, though not in means most people would consider brave or noteworthy.

Michael Travis, along with two friends, pulled a man from a fiery tanker about to explode in September of 2003.  He received nationwide recognition for his heroism.

These days you’ll find him looking for new places within Detroit for vegetable beds.  He’s working as the co-director of Urban Farming, whose goal is to reintroduce growth to the inner city, while producing edible goods for others.  The harvested produce is donated to area food banks and homeless shelters.

His day to day work is a new brand of heroism: living and working to improve the lives of others, while bettering the urban area he calls home.

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Sometimes it just pays to get up off your feet, take a stand and make a move to action.  Especially when the stand isn’t for yourself but others.

After 44 days, four high school students have arrived at Ground Zero.  Their inspiring walk started at their home in Rossford, Ohio, 650 miles away from their New York destination.  Tad Millinger, Chad Coulter, Dustin Dean and Brandon Reinhard took inspiration from the heroes of 9/11, deciding to walk to the site of the World Trade Centers to raise funds for the new memorial.

Not only have the young men received accolades for their selfless venture, but they also raised more than $20,000 with more pledged to their cause.  Their donations came from your average Americans, not corporate sponsors.

If four students can brave rain, heat, blisters, pneumonia, tendonitis, and impending make-up homework, so can we.  So get up and use your spare time to do something for your fellow man.   Even a small step can reap a large impact on your world.

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