Category: Impact Heroes

  • The other Mr. Bill

    Forty-year SEPTA employee Bill Vanish was a constant in Elena Maser’s daily life as she commuted by subway to Central High School in Philadelphia. For four years, they “talked about exciting things going on in [their] lives,” said Elena, so “Mr. Bill” knew she would graduate soon. One morning as she came into the subway…

  • FIFA watch parties feed hungry

    As World Cup fever has spread far and wide, New Jersey nonprofit Table to Table has seized the opportunity to help food insecure people in the midst of the mania. With the help of local partners, the organization makes sure excess food from World Cup watch parties and food trucks gets to people who need…

  • Stitching the Stars and Stripes

    To celebrate, mourn, show pride and pay respect, we reach for the American flag, without giving much thought to the people who make it. But for sixth-generation flag maker CEO Carter Beard and the team at Annin Flagmakers, the responsibility is deeply personal. Beard says he’s proud they get to “make the symbol of our…

  • Flying the Colors

    When Indiana firefighters Cody MacLeod and Bryan Haskel – who both come from military families – saw an American flag on the ground in a neighborhood after a storm, they jumped into action. A doorbell cam showed how carefully they folded the flag and placed it under cover on the homeowner’s porch. “We have a…

  • Getting back in tune

    When natural disasters destroy homes, they also take away the livelihoods – and spirits – of working musicians who lose their instruments. Last year, Tennessee musician Nicholas Williams started the nonprofit ReString Appalachia to put new instruments into the hands of musicians affected by Hurricane Helene, but quickly expanded his efforts to musicians in need…

  • The power of a handwritten letter

    Summit High School principal Jason Mutterer shows up for his students every day, and graduation is no exception. Every year, he handwrites detailed, personal notes for each senior and includes $1 out of his own pocket, asking graduates to pay it forward with an act of kindness for someone else. His wife is battling cancer…

  • Pittsburgh dad to feed over 1,750 kids this summer

    When his viral front yard food pantry to help SNAP recipients ended this spring, AJ Owen pivoted to feed kids in need when school is out. For eight weeks, he and his helpers (including his own kids!) will provide two meals a day plus snacks to over 1,750 kids. Owen aims to supplement existing programs,…

  • Every child should have a bicycle

    Remember riding your bike in the summer when you were a kid? Canadian Krista Richard thinks every child should have that experience. Through her program Bikes and Trikes for Everyone, she’s given away thousands of donated bikes over the last 14 years – for free – to kids and families who couldn’t otherwise afford them.…

  • Strangers honor WWII vet with no living family

    WWII vet John Bernard Arnold III loved classical music, chocolate cake, and making people laugh. When he passed away recently at 98 with no living family members, his Massachusetts community stepped up in a big way. Hundreds of strangers honored him by showing up to pay their respects at his memorial service and along the…

  • No money, no problem

    When a little boy who had “no dollars” started walking away from her ice cream truck in tears, Maddy Silvagnoli called him back to give him a free scoop. “We don’t turn kids away when they don’t have money,” the Massachusetts small business owner said. Supporters took notice and sent in donations to help Maddy’s…