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CNN's 'Hero of the Year'

Liz, McCartney, co-founder of the St. Bernard project,
CNN's "Hero of the Year."

Rebuilding the Lives of Katrina Survivors, Family by Family

"I was totally surprised that I won," said McCartney of the online final vote. "The other heroes are amazing people and the work that they do is really phenomenal. I think that winning this reflects how much people care about the rebuilding efforts down there.

"I was totally surprised, but in some ways, knowing how committed everybody is, committed to the work we do, I wasn't surprised, if that makes sense."

As of Monday, McCartney and Rosenburg had not made grand plans to view the ceremony telecast.

"Actually, we don't have cable," she said. "I don't know where we're going to watch it. Maybe we can get Markey's Bar to show it around the corner. We'll figure something out."

Child hero is given award
Broomfield Cub Scout saved toddler in pool
Peter Marcus, DDN Staff Writer

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Eight-year-old Brandon Wilson was just learning how to swim. Yet somehow the young hero managed to save the life of a toddler who almost went under in the same pool Wilson was using to master his stroke.
The young Broomfield hero was awarded the Heroism Award yesterday by the Boy Scouts of America and the Denver Area Council. Wilson is himself a Cub Scout in Pack 511. While only in the third grade, Wilson has already earned the ranks of Bobcat, Tiger and Wolf — he is presently working toward the rank of Bear.

Mom is proud
Mother Chanin Wilson is obviously proud of her boy — one of four in this close family. She believes the skills Brandon is learning in the Boy Scouts certainly helped him to act quickly one afternoon this past summer at the neighborhood community pool.
While Brandon was out on his “floaty” — enjoying a soak with his brothers and some friends — he noticed an 18-month-old boy wandering over to the pool. The toddler fell in, unable to swim in 4 feet of water. But before the toddler had a chance to start going down, Brandon instinctively realized that the boy would not be able to stand or swim and so he grabbed ahold of his arm and called for help.
The toddler’s mother heard the commotion and came running over to pull her son from the water. Brandon quickly became a hero.
“I am such a proud mother,” said Chanin Wilson. “I think it’s absolutely wonderful.”

Wilson is humble
What may be most amazing, however, is that Wilson says her son Brandon was so humble about the award, that he questioned why he was even chosen.
“He was doing the dishes when he turned to me and said, ‘Why’d they pick me,’” explained Wilson. “I had to explain to him that what he did was really amazing and that a lot of people don’t think that quickly. He just did what needed to be done.”
Wilson takes safety very seriously. Before her boys started using the community pool in their Broomfield neighborhood, she made sure to take a few CPR classes to make sure that if anything horrible happened she’d be prepared to act. Wilson believes that her safety values have been passed along to her children, which may be another reason Brandon acted so quickly this past summer.
As for Brandon, he’s taking the stardom all in stride, though he did admit that it was nice to miss some school, go out for an early breakfast and be treated like a celebrity with news cameras and microphones.
“It feels good,” said the 8-year-old. “I saved someone.”

Brave Norman - Blind Yellow Lab Saves Child

Annette adopted Norman from the pound. He was a blind Golden Lab and and a true animal hero. Because he was blind, Norman could only safely run free on the beach. Anette would often walk Norman along the beach.

One day, as Annette and Norman were walking along the beach and Norman could hear someone crying out for help.. A young girl had been swimming with her brother and got caught in the strong current. Norman swam toward the girl, and pulled her back to the shore. Norman is a true animal hero. This wonderful story has been published into a children's book called "Brave Norman".

Brave Norman : A True Story
by: Andrew Clements
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/29/2008)

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Green Hero

SupraNet Communications

Bryan Chan, president of SupraNet Communications, is the first to acknowledge that his industry is one of the biggest energy guzzlers. "Internet data centers use 2.5 percent of all the electricity in the United States," Chan says. "It may not sound like much, but that number is doubling every five years." That's why his company is pioneering a sustainable Internet. The goal is to build a "green" data center with a zero-carbon footprint within the next two years, but mostly Chan wants to raise awareness so that consumers start to demand greener IT.

renewableinternet.com

Heimlich Hero Goes National
By Sanne Specht
Mail Tribune

Jim Craven

Harrison Weidman, left, and Dominic Ramos are interviewed by a local television reporter Friday at Griffin Creek Elementary School. Dominic’s life-saving Heimlich maneuver on his buddy Harrison has garnered lots of attention, including from CBS Evening News and Heimlich’s son.