East Moline, IL

Families with disabled children in the Quad Cities have always found it difficult to find swim lessons that were suitable for their children. With the Flying Fish Swim School, I have been able to interact one-on-one with these children through swim lessons. Children with Down's syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and developmental disorders have been instructed in an environment where learning is easier. Because of their extreme progress, many of the children will one day be able to enroll in regular swim classes with others their age. Participants have gained in the trust of someone other than their parents in the water. This program is fulfilling an important need in my community which will continue well into the future.

Rockwall , TX

Starting out wanting to work with dogs, and have found myself helping people of all walks of life. I started training dogs from shelters for service work for veterans and finding out there was such a great need for service dogs. Feb. 2006 started a non-profit organization call Patriot PAWS and wow we are now working with veterans all over the USA, but in order to do this we had to find a way to train more dogs, then we partnered with TDCJ to have woman offenders to help us in this training. This has been such a win win for everyone. One of the dogs we have trained just won "Dog Of the Year 2009" from the ASPCA.

New Orleans, LA

After 10 years of racking up Motion Picture Pension hours at the movie studios, I decided after Hurricane Katrina to move to New Orleans and use my expertise in contracts and finance to help with the disaster recovery efforts.

I started as an Outreach Worker and was quickly promoted to Fiscal Manager at Catholic Charities. I joined an improv group called NOLA Playback Theatre and we replayed people\'s Katrina stories onstage. Then I got interested in the educational aspect of the recovery, so now I work at the St. Bernard Parish Parish School Board. Its schools were wiped out by Katrina - 25 feet of floodwater in some areas. I am their FEMA Accountant. I enjoy watching the progress as I commute through the Lower Ninth Ward every day.

Dawsonville, GA

Every summer we fuel up the bus, load it up with 32 children and head to a magical place called Camp Horizon. My journey of service started back in 1982 when members of my church identified a need to provide services for children of abuse and neglect. Our first step in the fight to break the cycle of violence was to host a campout in the backyard with eight kids and borrowed tents and sleeping bags. Back then our mission was to provide a brief refuge from the storm of abuse, a carefree adventure with a camp fire, songs, and roasted marshmallows. We've grown into a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with comprehensive programs. Carefully designed activities help the campers realize they are children of promise with endless possibilities.

Chicago, IL

Two years ago I was a food scientist with spare time, and decided to make a change. Now, I volunteer with 3 non-profit organizations, plus twice a week with inpatients at Children's Memorial Hospital. I grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and mentor new wish granters to do the same, in addition to volunteering at various events. I am in charge of fundraising and partake in street outreach for StandUp For Kids, aimed to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk youth. Lastly, once a week I assist Bear Necessities, a pediatric cancer foundation providing small miracles to kids with cancer and awarding grants to cancer research. I've never worked harder or been happier in my life.