BILL POULOS PRESENTS THE PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD
HONORING THOSE WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO HELP OTHERS DO BETTER IN LIFE
An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. “Why do you bother?” the old man scoffed. “You’re not saving enough to make a difference.” The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to the water. “I made a difference to that one,” he said.
No matter how big or small the effort is, people can make a difference. The Profits Run Starfish Award is aimed at recognizing individuals who constantly strive to make a difference in the world. The award was inspired by a man who saved a starfish on the beach by throwing it back into the ocean. His friend witnessed him throwing it back and told him that there are thousands of starfish out of the water and throwing one back would never make a difference. However, the man knew that he made a difference for that one starfish and continued on his way. Bill Poulos presents the Profits Run Starfish Award to individuals who encompass that spirit and work hard to make a difference in this world, even if that difference is only just for one person.
Rachel O’Neill is the founder of Little Dresses for Africa. Rachel founded the non-profit in 2008 to provide relief to vulnerable children throughout Africa. Little dresses are made out of pillowcases by volunteers and sent to young girls in Africa. Rachel believes that she and the volunteers make a difference in the world, one dress, and one little girl at a time. Because of death and poverty, many little girls and young women in Africa become the sole provider. Rachel hopes that with each dress they give, they plant a seed of worthiness in each woman and girl who receives it. Little Dresses for Africa send volunteers to Africa to teach women about clean water, education, and community during short-term mission trips. Rachel’s organization has sent millions of dresses, and even pants for boys, to 84 countries around the world, including countries in Africa, Haiti, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Rachel currently lives in Michigan with her husband, Michael. She has two children and four grandchildren. She and her husband are members of the MetroCity Church. They serve their church and community through Little Dresses for Africa. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Michigan and earned her MBA from Central Michigan University. In addition to running Little Dresses for Africa, Rachel works at AVL Engineering. She has been recognized by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 2017 Woman of Global Change, City of Inkster’s 2017 Distinguished Woman Award, The Daughters of the American Revolution’s 2010 Area Community Award, and many, many more.
Upon receiving the Profits Run Starfish Award O’Neill responded, “I’m honored to receive such a beautiful award on behalf of all the people that earned it. Thank you so much. We started as a simple gesture to give something to the girls that would be just for them—to give them honor and to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy. We also took care of the boys but made an effort to make the girls know that they are just as valuable. The idea of the pillow case dresses just took off because it’s so simple and even a novice seamstress can be successful at it since a pillowcase already has the sides and the hem in it. The idea caught on and it just spread like wildfire all around the United States, and now even the world. In fact, we have sewing groups and collection centers in 8 other countries as well as the USA. We have sent over 8 million to 87 countries and it’s been amazing to see the growth. “These little dresses go in as ambassadors to meet the people in remote villages. We give them away. Through the relationships that were formed, we saw needs that we could meet. Knowing we can’t do everything we decided to concentrate on projects having to do with clean water, education and community. Clean water saves lives immediately, education changes the future, especially for girls and community sustains these things. We like to say, “we’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending hope.” The coolest part is I don’t even sew! I am an organizer and I love Africa. I love the sounds, the people, the colors, the textures so this was and is a perfect fit for me. We can’t do it all, but we can make some little girls happy, one little dress at a time.” – Rachel O’Neill
Heather Kolke
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Heather Kolke is a police sergeant in Walled Lake, Michigan. One day, Erin Harrison approached Sgt. Kolke to ask her a legal question. Erin asked the officer if it was illegal to sleep in her car. Sgt. Kolke began to ask more questions to learn more. Soon, Erin revealed that she and her two daughters had been evicted from their home after the landlord raised her rent higher than she could afford. Erin wanted to know if she could sleep in her car because she and her children had nowhere else to sleep. Since the time of her eviction, her family had been sleeping in their car in the parking lot of her children’s elementary school. While Erin had a job at a local McDonald’s, where she worked every day, she still did not have enough money to pay for rent.
After hearing Erin’s story, Sgt. Kolke knew she needed to do more than just answer the woman’s legal question. Sgt. Kolke reached out to her friends and family and raised enough money to get the Harrison family a hotel room. She discovered the two daughters, Hayden and Abbigale, were about to turn nine and decided to throw them a birthday party as well. Many local companies came together to help support the birthday party. Party City donated balloons, Buttercream Bakery donated a cake, and Pizza Hut donated a pizza.
News traveled of Sgt. Kolke’s efforts all the way to the ears of the Walled Lake Mayor. The Mayor went on local television and asked for the community to help the family in their efforts to find a home. Quickly, the community came together and raised $2,500 for the family. One member of the community offered to take the daughters on a $1,000 shopping trip for essentials. Kolke’s one act of kindness led to a community-wide effort to change the family’s life.
Chris Stephens
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Chris Stephens is the pastor of New Life Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The church often organizes outreach events, allowing volunteers to help the homeless. Many of the church volunteers joined the church after hitting rock bottom. Some were just leaving jail, others addicted to drugs and living on the streets. Now, they have come together to help others who are in situations similar to the ones they were once in.
Chris believes that by showing kindness to those in tough situations, they can keep their heads high and hope for better for themselves. Originally Chris began by going to jails and leading Bible studies. As he began mentoring and working with the men in jail, he knew he wanted to connect with them when they were released. As soon as the men were released from jail, Chris was able to assist them in finding housing, jobs, transportation, recovery programs, and so much more. Those he has helped now take time to give back to others struggling through difficult situations.
Ben Dougherty and Jason Savage are two examples of men who received assistance from Chris and felt passionate about giving back. Both men, who met Chris is jail, have been released and found themselves with stable lives thanks to Chris’ support. They now participate in volunteer events once a month with the New Life Church. Chris’ dedication created a circle of giving back within his community.
Brennon Jones
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
One day Brennon Jones, a barber in Philadelphia, told his wife he wanted to cut hair for the homeless. The next day he set up in the streets offering free haircuts to those without homes. A video caught Jones in the act and it went viral. Just one day of cutting hair led to the kickoff of the Haircuts 4 Homeless initiative. Now, Jones and his wife travel the United States providing haircuts for those in need.
In July 2018, the couple could be found under an overpass in New Orleans, providing free haircuts to homeless women and men. The Haircuts 4 Homeless initiative is sponsored by Maestro’s Classic barbershop of Bristol, Pennsylvania. While on tour, the initiative sets up three stations in the city it visits and serves about 40 homeless women and men during a single day. In addition to haircuts, the men and women receive bags filled with socks, underwear, and toiletries. While in New Orleans, one native brought the stylists and customers cases of water.
Jones revealed that his main mission is to show the homeless that there are people who care about them. He believes it’s an added bonus if the haircuts help them get back on their feet. Many times Jones has found out that those he has styled have found full-time jobs just days after they receive their haircut. One haircut at a time, Jones is changing the lives of the homeless nationwide.
Ryan Hymas & Brett Griffiths
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Ryan Hymas and Brett Griffiths are the co-founders of Building Beginnings, an organization that helps recovering addicts. Hymas was a program director at a residential rehab facility when he noticed flaws in the system. Many times, Hymas would receive calls from people the facility could not help. It is rather expensive to receive treatment and those seeking help must either have insurance or funding from another source. For the ones who could afford treatment, they struggled to find jobs once they got out due to criminal backgrounds. Griffiths, who had always worked in construction, began working with other addicts on building projects. He and three friends would work together, carpool, stay sober, and get treatment together.
Hymas was seeking a better way for accessible treatment and Griffiths’ building projects became the model for their new business. In just a year the organization, Building Beginnings, grew from four people to about 140. The first group of recovering addicts served as a work crew. The work crew was made up of people who might struggle to find jobs and training post-treatment due to criminal backgrounds. The project quickly expanded beyond just jobs and training and began assisting individuals in finding housing and treatment.
The program offers sober living at an affordable price and an intensive outpatient treatment center where those without insurance or funds could receive help. Brett and Ryan would help those who were homeless by providing them with housing and treatment, then they would give them a job. As recovering addicts took on jobs in landscaping, welding, and remodeling, the non-profit began to pay for itself. The end goal of the program is that everyone leaves with some kind of license that can help them build and sustain a career for themselves. The two have been able to impact the lives of hundreds of recovering addicts and give them a chance at life they might not otherwise have.
Cesia Abigail
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Cesia Abigail is the owner of Abi’s Café, a café in Minneapolis. She met Marcus, a local homeless man when he came into her café one day asking for spare change. When Marcus asked for money, Cesia asked him why he didn’t have a job. He told her that his felonies prevented him from finding honest work.
Cesia was short-staffed in the café that day and offered to put Marcus to work. Instead of giving Marcus spare change, she gave him a chance. Two weeks after Marcus first met Cesia, he continues to work two hours a day washing dishes at the café. For now, Marcus works part-time, but Cesia hopes to make him a full-time employee.
Cesia posted on Facebook about her story and received more than 110,000 likes.
Aaron Easton
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Aaron Easton is a Chief of Police in California. Aaron helped a man named Tim Conn after reading his story in a Facebook post. Tim Conn was laid off from his job and had no way to support his wife and kids. His car recently broke down, preventing him from finding work. The post Tim shared was about a used car that he couldn’t afford to buy. Aaron saw this as his opportunity to help.
Aaron wanted to help Tim purchase the car, however, that would mean his own kids wouldn’t get Christmas presents. He discussed with his family and they wanted to help, even if they had to make a sacrifice. The act of kindness brought Tim to tears. Now, Tim can start to get his life back together.
Kirk Pile
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Kirk Pile is a police officer in Hyattsville. Kirk responded to the call of Antonique Golden-Abban on a cold Monday night. Antonique was turned away from homeless shelters that were full and had nowhere for her or her three children to sleep. Kirk and two other officers decided to help by giving Antonique and her family money to stay at a hotel. They also gave her enough money for food to eat and fare for the Metro.
Kirk never questioned if he should help the family or not. He said there was no way he could leave Antonique and her young children out in the cold.
Bruce Pierson
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Bruce Pierson is a police officer in Temecula, California. One day, Bruce responded to a call and met Franki, a woman who was seen acting suspicious near parked cars. He learned that Franki was only trying to find shade near the cars. During their conversations, Franki revealed that she was 18 years old, but had been homeless since she was 12. Franki now lives in the street with her two dogs and boyfriend.
Bruce noticed Franki didn’t have any shoes and asked her where they went. She told him she had not had a pair of shoes for over two months. Bruce acted immediately. He walked her into the mall and bought her the shoes of her choice from Payless. Multiple shoppers noticed Bruce purchasing shoes for Franki and offered to buy her a pair as well. Franki left the store with socks, a scarf, a beanie, and two pairs of shoes.
When Bruce went home that night, he told his wife about the day he’d had. His wife wanted to help, so she brought Franki food for her dogs, sweaters, and a blanket. She also connected Franki with Project Touch, an organization that assists the homeless.
Angela Nguyen
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Angela Nguyen is a Domino’s delivery driver in Minnesota. Every Saturday, Angela delivers pizza to Lee Hassee, a 76-year-old man. After a storm destroyed his home and his son passed away, Lee began living in a 12-foot camper with no heat, electricity, or plumbing. Angela noticed and wanted to do something to help the man. Angela bought Lee a heater for his camper and started a GoFundMe page. In two months, Angela raised $32,000 to help Lee buy a new home. Angela surprised Lee with his new fully-furnished home for Christmas. Lee now has a home with all the necessity he needs.
Leon Logothetis
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Leon Logothetis is a philanthropist and motivational speaker who goes throughout the world performing random acts of kindness. He features these acts on a YouTube series called #GoBeKind. Leon met James Moss on the street and learned that he was a single father who moved to Denver for a job offer. He became homeless after the job offer fell through. Leon gave James $1,000 and seven days in a hotel.
A viewer of Leon’s YouTube series felt so passionate about James’ story that she started a GoFundMe page. The page raised nearly $35,000 in five days. Thanks to Leon’s YouTube channel, James now has enough money to support his son and land on his feet.
Zach Stamper
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Zach Stamper is a 30-year-old police officer in Kansas. Zach met Samuel Meixuerio after responding to a suspicious person call. Zach learned that Samuel was just taking a break from his five hour walk from the Church where he had been staying to his job at a liquor store. Samuel was trying to save up for an apartment and Zach felt compelled to help.
Zach gave Samuel a ride to his job that day. When Samuel got into his car, he noticed his duffle bag was broken. After he dropped Samuel off at work, he left and came back with a new duffle bag for Samuel to keep.
Zach told his Chief of Police about Samuel and the Chief recommended taking one of the abandoned bicycles and gifting it to Samuel. Zach cleaned up one of the bikes, put air in the tires, and surprised Samuel with it at his job. Samuel nearly cried.
Max Zahir
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Max Zahir, the owner of Celebrities Sports Grill, met a homeless veteran one day while he was getting gas. The man asked Max for spare change, letting him know he hadn’t eaten since the day before. Max gave the man a ride and bought him food from a local fast food restaurant. Max then told the veteran he would buy him a meal every day until he got things back together, all the man had to do was be at the gas station at 4 p.m. every day. To help the man get back on his feet, Max offered him a job at his restaurant and started a GoFundMe page to help buy sleeping bags and food for the veteran.
David Timothy
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
David Timothy is the Executive Director of SoupMobile, a nonprofit that brings food to the homeless in Dallas, Texas. David met Harvor Davis, a homeless man when Harvor was standing in line waiting for food. Harvor came up to David and asked if he could volunteer. David put Harvor to work. After five years, Harvor worked his way up to Senior Warehouse Manager. He went from asking for meals to serving them. Now, Harvor serves as hope and inspiration for others on the other side.
The one thing Harvor doesn’t have is a full smile. David wanted to help his long-time employee, so he asked his personal dentist if he could help. Harvor received $50,000 worth of dental work for free thanks to David. David changed Harvor’s life and his smile.
Jake Joplin
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Jake Joplin met Wayne Moore, a homeless man who moved from Florida to North Texas, at a local convenience store. After learning that the convenience store is what Wayne calls home, Jake wanted to help. Jake shared Wayne’s story to encourage his friends to help. He started a GoFundMe for Wayne and was able to raise $3,000 in a week. The money helped Wayne find a place to stay for the next six months and provided him a new closet of clothes. He bought a car and has been able to travel to four job interviews. One Facebook post and Jake has helped to turn Wayne’s life around.
Rachel and Erik Cox
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Rachel and Erik Cox are lawyers who live in Washington, D.C. One day they met Floyd Carter, a homeless man living in Washington, D.C. for three years. They learned that Floyd had a housing voucher, but after waiting for months was never able to get his foot in the door when he tried to get an apartment. The couple decided to help by giving Floyd money for an apartment. After moving into his apartment, Floyd tried to get a job. He now has multiple job offers and hopes of working in a hotel as a Chef. The couple helped to turn Floyd’s life around after he struggled for three years.
Sofia and Elizabeth Arone
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Sofia and Elizabeth Arone saw Glenn Williams, a 58-year old homeless man, on a Sunday night with a sign that stated he was homeless and needed help. Sofia had just won $200 in the lottery and decide to use her prize to help. She used her lottery winnings to pick Glenn up, buy him a coffee, and get him a hotel room for the night. Sofia said the man was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Sofia learned that Glenn had been homeless for over three years. She created a GoFundMe page and shared the story on her social media. Within one day, the page raised $8,500 for Glenn.
Sofia took Glenn to a barbershop where she works and gave him a haircut. From there they went to get Glenn a state ID and health insurance. Because of the media attention, Glenn received donations of food and clothing. The social media posts allowed Glenn to reconnect with his family and start a better life.
Steve Wick
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Steve Wick is a Sergeant in Houston, Texas. Steve assists the city’s homeless outreach program. He met Quintus, a 75-year old homeless man after he saw him on the streets. Quintus sells newspapers on the street. Steve talked to Quintus and found out he was nearly blind due to glaucoma. Quintus had soiled his pants but was unable to get into a thrift store to pick up clothes. Steve gave him a wash and clipped his toenails. After, Steve gave Quintus new shoes. Steve then drove Quintus to a local sober clinic, where he was able to shower. Steve is now helping Quintus get an appointment with a doctor to check his glaucoma, in addition to helping him find housing.
Michael Marteen
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Michael Marteen noticed Frederick Callison one day after grocery shopping. He saw Frederick sitting outside with resumes laid out near his sleeping bag. Frederick was seeking work and food. To prove he was serious about getting a job, Frederick had his social security card, ID, and food handler’s certificate. While talking to Michael, he learned that Frederick was a former line cook who was down on his luck after he moved to California to become a cook for the salvation army. Michael himself worked for a catering company once and told Frederick he would give his resume to the people he knew. He also brought him some food and water.
After posting Frederick’s resume on Facebook, Frederick landed a job at a pizza place. Thanks to Michael’s help, Frederick gained employment and clothes.
Kimberly Schintzius
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Kimberly Schintzius was playing Pokemon Go when she ran into Daniel Wise. Daniel, a frail older man, approached Kimberly on his worn-out bike thinking she was lost. He offered to help her. Kimberly explained Pokemon Go to Daniel and they laughed and sparked a conversation. During their conversation, Kimberly learned that Daniel was a Vietnam veteran. Daniel thanked Kimberly for her kindness and relayed that most people act like he doesn’t exist.
Daniel bravely asked Kimberly if she could help him find something to eat. She herself was on her way to order lunch and shared her food with him. Daniel was so grateful he cried and thanked her again for showing such kindness. Kimberly shared the story on her Facebook page and received thousands of likes and nearly 800 shares. Kimberly has reached out to veteran assistance programs to help find aid for Daniel.
Kevin Barber
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
A 16-year old boy named Kevin Barber used wisdom beyond his years to help those in his local community. Kevin wanted to implement a program where the homeless could help clean the streets in exchange for fair wages and access to city services. The program is called Wheels for Change, and already has a waitlist of close to 150 names. Kevin is working to expand the program and hopes to improve San Diego one shift at a time. “Our goal is to get another van and have it go more days of the week,” he said. “Helping as many people as we can.”
Maryam Henderson-Uloho
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Maryam Henderson-Uloho was more motivated than ever to turn not only her life around, but the lives of other inmates once they were released. She created ‘Sister Hearts’, which started as a small home-décor shop. She expanded its reach when she also opened a shelter to house newly released people with nowhere else to go. Through the shop, volunteers help her teach life skills to former inmates to help them get back on their feet. Maryam says the combination works because, “they learn organizational skills, they learn social skills, community skills, negotiation skills and all these are things are needed to re-humanize a person.” She hopes to open a second location so she can expand her reach and help more people.
Shannon Sefcik
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Shannon Sefcik is a dedicated first-grade teacher who cares about her student’s wellbeing far beyond the classroom. By collecting donations from fellow staff, families, and friends, she’s been able to run several different programs for her students. In the past year, she’s helped secure funding at the Second Harvest Food Bank to open a food pantry inside her school to help any family or student who needs it. Shannon has also run a holiday program that ensures families have what they need to get through the season. She continues to collect donations for food pantry and hygienic items to help her students and their families.
Dane Ray Cumnings
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Dane Ray Cummings, a Waste Management driver, was told to cut his route short due to the quickly incoming Camp Fire. Despite the warning, he diligently wanted to finish his work – but more importantly, check on some of the elderly that live on his route. Dane came across Margaret Newsum, a 93-year old woman who was desperately trying to figure out how she’d manage to evacuate. Cummings took her into his truck and drove for almost 6 hours to safety. Dane realized that Margaret had no family in the area, so he decided to let her stay with him and his family. Margaret feels very fortunate that Dane not only helped her evacuate but for the continued care that he’s given.
Tracy Grant
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Tracy Grant was handing out food to evacuees during a fire in California when she met Lee Brundige, a 93-year old WWII veteran. She noticed that he was the only one who was alone and kept an eye on him. When the Sheriff told everyone to clear the area due to worsening air pollution, Tracy invited Lee to come to her home. Tracy will be letting Lee stay with her indefinitely. “I thought if that were my grandpa, where would I want him to be,” says Tracy, whose grandfathers have both passed. “He’s so sweet….We told him this could be his forever home but that is totally up to him.”
Wilma Trice
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Wilma Trice is a woman from Texas who helped a homeless man she met at a local Walmart. The man was holding a sign, asking for someone to help him get his dog out of the pound. Wilma saw his sign and wanted to help.
After talking with the man, named Patrick, she learned that he had his dog, Franklin, taken to the pound after having some problems. Patrick was struggling to find the $120 it would cost to release Franklin from the pound. Wilma called her friends to see if they could collectively pull the money together. In two days, Patrick was reunited with Franklin.
Once Patrick and Franklin were back together, Wilma and an animal rescue volunteer helped raise money to get Patrick off the streets.
Roberta Hoskie
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
In a stroke of bad luck, Real Estate Broker Roberta Hoskie misplaced a $10,000 check. But, as an act of incredible generosity, a homeless man named Elmer Alvarez returned the check to Roberta. Roberta fully appreciated how much Elmer needed that money. To show her appreciation, she set out to do all that she could to help him. Using her real estate skills and connections, Roberta helped him find an apartment and covered his rent for seven months until he could support himself. She also paid for his real estate school tuition. Now, they’re working together on building a transitional house for homeless teenagers and young adults.
Sarah Lee
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
New York City entrepreneur Sarah Lee was on her way to church on a Sunday morning in August when she encountered a homeless man named Nick Long. Nick explained that his grandfather had just passed away. Wanting to help, Sarah invited Nick to join her at church. Earlier this year, Sarah was inspired by a minister who spoke at her church about how she would leave her door open, regardless of the person. Sarah took these words to heart and decided to help Nick further. She gifted Nick dress shoes so he could attend his grandfather’s wake, and let Nick and his girlfriend Lexi stay in her apartment.
“That gave me the courage to open my door for anyone because, like, perfect love really casts out all fear — which is God,” Lee said. “I think that believing that Scripture was how I was able to open my doors to Nick and Lexi.” Nick and Lexi are now married and are better able to support their two kids.
Officer Sheri Duran and Officer Paul Siska
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Adams County sheriff’s deputies Officers Sheri Duran and Officer Paul Siska were called to check out a suspicious vehicle just before Thanksgiving. What they found in the vehicle broke their hearts – a couple sleeping. They had lost their home and were sleeping in their car until they could find jobs. Determined to help, the officers helped the couple get their car fixed and find accommodation, bus passes, and meals for a week through non-profits. The couple is still in touch with the officers. They’re back on their feet and are grateful for their help.
Deputy Siska said, “This is what I hoped when I joined law enforcement, to help people. You get that one family that needs help, feels good. This is what I joined up for. This is the way it should be.”
Mary Ann Morgan
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Mary Ann Morgan saw Sheila sleeping on the ground in an empty lot for days. After talking to a 7-11 employee, she learned that the woman was homeless. She took a muffin and a coffee to Shelia after learning this.
Later that day, Mary Ann came back and invited Sheila into her home. Mary Ann helped Sheila get a new driver’s license and replacement birth certificate. She also helped the 62-year-old file for a social security card, so she could claim benefits and get enough money to get a home.
After a local news station heard about Mary Ann and Sheila’s story, the station asked their friends at Goodwill to help Sheila get new clothes. Union Bank and Trust reached out to both Mary Ann and Sheila with gift cards.
Who else deserves recognition for the extraordinary work they have done? Bill Poulos of Profits Run wants to recognize people who do selfless work to make this world a better place. Please contact us roseanna@billpoulos.com to nominate someone great!
KHALI SWEENEY
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD WINNER
Khali Sweeney is the founder of the Downtown Boxing Youth Gym Program. The Detroit organization helps around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week.
Sweeney’s parents gave him away when he was just six weeks old. He never felt like he had a family, which led him to find support in the wrong crowd. Sweeney dropped out of high school and was constantly fighting before he turned his life around. He was without an education, job, or place to live. His own struggles encouraged him to mentor at-risk kids and help them towards success. He felt that if someone would have supported him or given him advice when he was young, he could have avoided some of the challenges he faced. He originally began by reaching out to a few kids he met at a nearby park.
In 2007, he created his Downtown Boxing Youth Gym Program and began to support over 100 kids. The children learn how to box, in addition to lessons about sportsmanship, accountability, and perseverance. Sweeney teaches the children that books should always come before boxing. That is why the gym’s tutoring center is an essential part of the gym. The program has helped over 260 children, 98% of which who have gone on to college.
Each child that enters the Downtown Boxing Youth Gym Program walks out with a different perspective on life. Sweeney’s dedication has made a difference in hundreds of children’s lives. He provides a place where the children can learn, grow, and feel safe. Sweeney perfectly embodies the Profits Run Starfish Award in his efforts to make a difference in the lives of children who have no one else to look out for them.
Deborah Snyder
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD WINNER
Former Army helicopter pilot Deborah Snyder leaves no veteran behind in her new mission: finding homes for homeless veterans. Since 2011, Deborah has rehomed more than 800 homeless veterans through her organization, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation. Her organization also helps with other important services, such as medical services, transportation, employment, and more.
“She’s very serious about helping the veterans,” says Lloyd Clarke, 66, a once-homeless, Vietnam-era vet who lives in housing that Deborah found for him. “She’s incredible,” Clarke says. “What she’s done has changed my life.” Next on Deborah’s list is transforming a former assisted-living home into a home dedicated to veterans.
Lisa Johanon
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD WINNER
Lisa Johanon is the founder of the Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC). Through the CDC, Johanon has worked to bring her vision of community, healing, and equal opportunity to life. The CDC is a non-profit, faith-based organization that is “committed to empowering people, creating positive opportunities for the community, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.” Johanon has been committed to this mission since the CDC’s founding in 1993.
Johanon works to ensure the CDC can offer a wide range of services, including job training, employment opportunities, helping families find affordable housing, and tending to individuals and families in times of medical and personal need.
Johanon’s CDC programs work to take care of her community from youth into adulthood. Home visitations from professional educators help teach parents how to serve as the first educators of their preschool-age children. Parents groups help parents create supportive social networks. Grade-school children can continue to educate and elevate through one-on-one tutoring and summer camps.
The CDC’s READY (Recruit, Educate, Advance, and Deploy Youth) program helps teens learn about their career options, and supports adults in gaining professional skills. CDC is also a PROSPERUS community partner. PROSPERUS offers a comprehensive, 20-week entrepreneur training program that helps participants realize their potential and develop a business plan.
Housing development—repairing, rebuilding, and restoring—is also central to Johanon’s work. The CDC has been granted Community Housing Development Organization status by the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. With this status, Johanon can continue meeting the housing needs of low-income families and individuals by providing home repair assistance, rehabilitating vacant and abandoned homes, and developing new homes.
Now with her increasing community impact – the CDC has grown to a staff of 20. Johanon has done everything from teaching new skills to taking calls in the middle of the night to pray and console a family that has lost a loved one. Her work to make her community a happier, healthier, and self-sufficient place truly embodies the Profits Run Starfish Award values.
Sarah Thebarge
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Sarah Thebarge is no stranger to suffering, having battled breast cancer while still in her 20s. During her recovery from her chemotherapy, she met a Somali family on a train to Portland, which inspired her to study medicine to help those in need. She studied Medical Science at the Yale School of Medicine and has used her training to volunteer in Kenya, the Dominican Republic, and Togo. She has recently spent time in South Sudan with a non-profit organization called Rebuild South Sudan which aims to build the necessary infrastructure to provide free education and healthcare to those who need it the most. She also offers her medical expertise; working in a hospital ER and helping teachers treat children with malaria, vomiting, and fevers. When Sarah isn’t working as a medical volunteer, she gives talks on important medical topics, including International Aid and Public Health, drawing directly on her own experiences.
In addition to medicine, Sarah is an accomplished writer and journalist. Her writing has been featured in notable publications, including National Geographic, USA Today and Christianity Today. She has published two books, The Invisible Girls and WELL to critical acclaim. She has used her speaking and writing skills to raise awareness about the war in South Sudan and its consequences on the rural and urban populations in the country, and WELL is based on her three-month experience of practicing medicine in Togo. She offers a non-fiction writing workshop to share her writing skills and help other writers develop and grow.
Sarah is a devout Christian and her experiences have reinforced her beliefs. She has spoken at more than 40 campuses and is a regular speaker at churches and retreats. Through her blogging and writing, Sarah works to spread a message of love and hope, showing us that we can all contribute to making the world slightly better for someone else.
Officer Tony Carlson
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Officer Tony Carlson is a Tallahassee police officer. He was responding to a call when he saw a homeless man struggling to shave his beard. When Officer Carlson saw him struggling, he decided to jump in and help. The homeless man, Phil, was attempting to shave his beard for a job interview at a local McDonald’s. Phil was afraid that he would not be hired with the state of his facial hair. The McDonald’s Manager promised Phil that if he cut off his beard he would have a job. Thanks to Officer Carlson’s help, Phil was able to land the job. The video of Officer Carlson helping Phil went viral and was viewed by people throughout the U.S.
When asked about helping Phil Officer Carlson told the Tallahassee Democrat (https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/07/23/tallahassee-police-officer-helps-homeless-man-shave-beard-job/818389002/), “If he’s wanting to help himself, I need to be more than helpful and try to help him out the best I can.”
A few days later Officer Carlson was going to dinner with his family and saw Phil sitting on the side of the road. Carlson picked up a few cheeseburgers and stopped by to catch up with Phil. Phil told Carlson that the manager offered him a job at McDonald’s, but he needed to get an ID and Social Security card. Carlson told Phil that Florida Senator Marco Rubio had heard about Phil’s story and the Senator wanted to help Phil get his ID and Social Security card. The senator’s staff sent Officer Carlson the forms Phil needed to fill out to get his paperwork sorted. Thanks to the help of Officer Carlson, Phil was able to land the job.
Officer Carlson humbly told BBC News (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44953990), “I didn’t do anything spectacular. It happens all the time. Officers all over the place in other cities are always doing things like this that don’t get attention.”
Jasmine Scofield
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Jasmine Scofield is a Payroll Analyst and Strategic Business Partner at Electronic Arts (EA) with a huge Twitter following and tons of connections in the tech industry. July 27, 2018, she helped to change one young man’s life with a single tweet.
David Casarez was a homeless web developer, struggling to find work. David moved from Texas to California to land a dream job in the tech industry. He hit rock bottom after blowing through his savings and finding himself with no place to live. After nights of sleeping in stairwells and on park benches, David put on a suit and made a sign that read, “Homeless. Hungry 4 Success. Take a Resume.” He said his motivation was to find one person that thought he might be worth a shot.
While driving past the young man, Jasmine felt inspired to act. She was impressed that instead of asking for money, the young man was handing out resumes. She sent out a tweet asking her friends in Silicon Valley to retweet and help the young man find a job. Her tweet went viral and received over 130,000 retweets. Because Jasmine took the time to help David, he received over 200 job offers. Representatives from large tech firms, including Netflix, Google, and Pandora reached out to learn more about David. One company even offered to put him up in a hotel as he goes through the interview process. With just one tweet, Jasmine contributed to a positive, life-altering impact for one homeless individual.
James Minns
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
James Minns is the owner of a small paint-coating company. While celebrating his anniversary with his wife one evening, he passed a beggar on the streets of Newcastle, England. Ryan Davidson asked James for spare change and James gave him 20 pounds to pay for a meal. Instead of going on his way, James began to ask Ryan about his life. Ryan revealed he had been homeless for three years, with no job or contact with his family to rely on for support. As Ryan told his story, James was amazed at the young man’s attitude. He felt compelled to give Ryan a chance to change his life. He told Ryan to show up at his painting company at 7 AM on Monday. The two took a selfie together and James shared it on his Facebook page.
Within hours comments of congratulations and strangers offering their assistance began to pour in. A relative of Ryan’s family saw the post and gave James Ryan’s phone number in case he needed to call him. A milkman who worked near the paint-coating company offered to drive Ryan to his new job. The Facebook community was extremely disappointed when Ryan didn’t answer his phone and missed his ride to work.
James and the Facebook community are now raising funds to help get Ryan off the streets and into a permanent living situation.
Dejour Williams
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Dejour Williams is a 17-year-old high school student in Philadelphia. He is also the owner of a lawn mowing business that employs many of his fellow senior classmates. In addition to his business, Dejour helps his mother run “We Can Do Better,” a non-profit organization that helps those who are struggling and need help. Outside of their own non-profit, the two volunteer at Hub of Hope, a City Center non-profit that helps those seeking to break their cycle of homelessness.
While volunteering at Hub of Hope, Dejour met Hosea Twiggs. The young man was living on the streets while looking for a job to get him off the streets. Dejour told Twiggs about the success of his own lawn mowing business and Twiggs was intrigued. Dejour gave Twiggs a lawnmower of his own, some helpful tips, and sent him on his way.
Twiggs received his first customer before he even left Hub of Hope and is well on his way to changing his life for the better. Dejour hopes that people hear about this story and feel inspired to give back in ways that equip people to help themselves.
Adam August
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Adam August is just an average guy who works in the tech sales field in San Francisco. On his trips to Starbuck before work, Adam repeatedly saw a homeless man for a year.
One day, Adam invited the man to lunch. During lunch, he discovered the man he had seen several times over the last year was a 37-year-old named Tarec Atkinson. Tarec was originally from Jamaica. Adam learned that Tarec moved to the United States 8 years ago without any family or friends.
While Tarec moved to the United States 8 years ago, he spent the last year living by the side of the freeway in a tent. Most days of the last 12 months he had spent alone and hungry. Adam was shocked to learn that Tarec hadn’t received a proper bath in the last month. He welcomed Tarec into his home, so he could shower.
Adam immediately recognized that the hardships Tarec had faced were preventing him from getting a job. After learning about Tarec’s journey, Adam decided to take action. Adam told Tarec that for one week he would drive him around, help him fill out applications, and speak on his behalf so that Tarec could find a job to get him out of his trying situation.
Before they began their job hunt, Adam bought Tarec new clothes for his interviews. Immediately Adam saw a change in Tarec’s attitude. Tarec had a smile on his face. After two days and half a dozen stores, they learned that Tarec’s best bet would be online applications. Adam took Tarec to the library, so he could use the computers to apply online. Shortly after, Tarec received an interview at a grocery store.
Although Tarec has found a job, he still struggles to find a permanent living situation. Adam started a GoFundMe page on Tarec’s behalf with the goal of raising $25,000.
Cathy Padilla
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Cathy Padilla was just looking for someone to move a new mattress box spring into her house. However, after one Facebook post, she changed a man’s life. Cathy offered $100 to anyone who could help move her new bed in a Facebook post. A homeless veteran’s ex-wife saw the post and told her ex-husband about it. Later, Cathy received a call from 75-year-old Ron Woods.
After Ron moved her mattress, Cathy learned that he was a homeless veteran who had been living in his truck in a Walmart shopping center with his dog as he tried to find work in construction. Wanting to help, Cathy turned to her Facebook page asking locals of Boynton Beach to help find the man a job.
The local community provided recommendations. Ron called several businesses and landed a job with All Dry USA, a quick-repair company. Thanks to Cathy’s help, Ron met the last requirement to qualify for housing assistance with the VA.
Matt Cordoza
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Matt Cordoza saw Rocky Been, a homeless man cold on the streets of Clearwater Beach. He decided to help the man by giving him his sweater. He shared his story on Facebook, reminding people that something as small as a sweater makes all the difference for struggling individuals. With a single social media post, the Clearwater Beach community was ready to help. Shortly after, Crabby’s Bar and Grill offered him a job and started a GoFundMe campaign to provide him with housing.
Samuel Breazeale
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Samuel Breazeale heard the story of a homeless man who had water poured on him after he fell asleep in Dunkin’ Donuts. The man, Jeremy, has mental illnesses and Samuel was appalled to hear the tale. He wanted to help in any way he could. To help Jeremy, Samuel started a GoFundMe account to help Jeremy get new clothes and other essentials.
Jeremy is not the first individual Samuel has aided. He continuously works with John Tumino, an advocate from In My Father’s Kitchen, a group that helps those who are homeless get back on their feet. Together, Samuel and John plan to start a trust fund for Jeremy.
Denny and Mardee Macha
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Denny and Mardee Macha met Tracy Ransbottom on a street corner in Colorado, as she asked for money with a sign. When Denny and Mardee saw the three little boys with her, their hearts sank, and they knew they had to help.
When the Ransbottom family moved from Tennessee to Colorado, Tracy’s husband had trouble finding a well-paying job. Tracy was living with her husband and three little boys in a small hotel room, with another baby on the way. The family used to stand on the street corner, trying to earn money for a night in a motel. Now, thanks to Denny and Mardee, their community has come together to support them.
After hearing the family’s story, the Machas offered to pay for their hotel room to help get them off the streets. From there, the Machas helped Tracy’s husband find a full-time job and helped him find transportation to and from his new job. The community came together to provide the Ransbottoms further support after the Machas connected them with the Grace Church’s One By One Helping Arvada Homeless program.
Lolly Galvin
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Lolly Galvin founded the Dignity Project, a program that gives haircuts, sleeping bags, and toiletries to the homeless in her city. The first time she met homeless veteran John Lochlan on the streets of Philadelphia, he denied a free haircut. Two weeks later he was back to take her up on her offer, and a friendship began.
Lolly learned that while living on the streets John was shot and later hit by a car. The accident left his spine damaged and untreated. This led to an infection in his legs, which became so bad he couldn’t’ walk. Because of his injury, John Lochlan had difficulty finding work. He spent his nights sleeping on the streets in his wheelchair and his days panhandling.
Through all the time Lolly had spent in the streets assisting the homeless, she had never seen anyone in such bad condition. She helped John get treatment and major surgery to fix his spine. Because Lolly cared for him at his lowest point, John has been able to recover from his injury and now lives in a nursing home.
Lynnea Nichols
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Lynnea Nichols saw a news story about a homeless man who saved the life of a trucker. The man, Paul Bristol, was honored by the Williston Fire Department for his efforts. Prior to saving the trucker’s life, Lynnea recalled meeting Paul two years ago as he was standing on the corner of a street with a sign that said he needed pants. Lynnea assisted Paul, drove to the store, and brought him back pants.
Lynnea felt passionate about helping Paul again and set up a GoFundMe page to help him get back on his feet. Her goal was to raise $2,000. In just one day, the page went viral and Lynnea raise $7,000. Because of Lynnea’s kindness, Paul said after he gets back on his feet, he hopes he can help someone in the same way.
Cindy and Pierre Germain
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Cindy and Pierre Germain were connected with Kevin Swayzie through Alberta Health Services, a program that places people with developmental disabilities. The couple signed up for the program after purchasing a large house with a lot of space. They wanted to put their extra space to use, but little did they know they would change Kevin’s life forever.
Kevin Swayzie was born with urea cycle disorder, a disease that causes learning disabilities and brain damage. His mother passed away with a mental illness and his stepfather was a physically abusive alcoholic. Kevin moved out of the situation when he was 20, but never landed on his feet. He found himself homes, spending time in bars drinking and using drugs. He tried to get sober but always failed. The Alberta Health Services program was his last attempt to get his life back together.
Cindy and Pierre were unaware of Kevin’s struggle with sobriety when he first moved in but consider it a challenge and not a problem. They helped Kevin handle warrants for his arrest, find counseling, and teach him how to handle money. Their help led him to his first job at a movie theater. Thanks to the couple’s help, Kevin has been sober for two years.
The couple welcomed Kevin into their family as one of their own. Kevin recently went on a vacation with the family to Disney World. Many people in the Alberta Health Services program move out once they are back on their feet, but Cindy and Pierre hope Kevin stays.
Jacob Swalwell
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Jacob Swalwell is an officer at a California Sheriff’s Department. Jacob Swalwell met Michael Myers when Myers was panhandling on a freeway. Swalwell had every intention of writing Myers a ticket. After engaging in a conversation with Myers, Swalwell realized the homeless man didn’t need a citation, he needed a friend.
Swalwell was surprised when he learned that Myers had no record, no addictions, and had tried multiple times to get himself off the streets. Without an ID, Myers had been unable to apply for assistance programs. Myers also had trouble proving California residency, as he has no home. Swalwell used the sheriff’s department and a local church to write a letter to prove Myer’s residency. Swalwell helped Myers to get his ID card. With that ID card, Myers could apply for programs that will help him get off the streets and into a permanent living situation.
Bonnie Monroe
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Bonnie Monroe is a woman from Swainsboro, Georgia who helped a homeless man named Byron. Bonnie first saw Byron as he went table to table asking for food while she was eating dinner at a local restaurant. Byron left the restaurant without stopping at Bonnie’s table. She felt compelled to help the man and followed him as he walked out of the place.
She asked if he wanted to have dinner with her, but Byron refused to go back in. He said he would just wait in the alley for leftovers. Bonnie would not have it. She walked him into the restaurant and told him to order anything he wanted. The two ate their meal, laughed, and even danced. Bonnie shared the story on a Facebook post that over 91,000 people saw. She even set up a GoFundMe page to help Byron get off the streets.
Ginger Sprouse
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Ginger Sprouse is the owner of Art of the Meal, a mother, and a wife. Her business teaches individuals how to cook through classes and private parties. Every day she would see the same man on the street on her drive to her cooking classes. One day she decided to ask him why he was there.
Victor Hubbard was a homeless man who stood on a street corner every day for three years. The man was waiting for his mother to come back for him. Ginger learned that he had been struggling with mental illness and didn’t have anywhere to live. She shared Victor’s story on a Facebook page she created called “This is Victor,” in the hopes of encouraging her community to come together to support the man.
Dozens of people throughout the community helped by cooking meals, washing clothes, and helping set up appoints with health professionals. Ginger even welcomed Victor into her home and offered him a job at her business. She created a GoFundMe page and two months later Victor received nearly $15,000.
The Facebook page Ginger created now has 9,000 followers. Through the page, and Ginger’s help, Victor has been able to get back on his feet and reconnect with his uncle and mother.
B.J Stringham
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
B.J Stringham is the president of Utah Woolen Mills. Utah Woolen Mills is a clothing store that gives away suits to aid those who are struggling in their job search. When the store sells a suit, they donate a suit to a man who is trying to better his life. One of the men B.J’s company helped was Brian Smith.
Brian had lost his job and had no way to afford rent about one year prior to finding Utah Woolen Mills’ suit program. Eventually, Brian found himself without a place to live. Brian sent out nearly 200 resumes and didn’t hear anything back. Thanks to B.J’s program, Brian received a suit from the company, went to a job interview, and landed the job the very next day.
Nicky Pati
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Barber Nicky Pati always had a soft spot for helping the homeless. Nicky first met a homeless man named Vinnie in a park and would visit him frequently after work. One evening, the police were going to arrest Vinnie. Nicky intervened and offered Vinnie to stay in his barbershop. Eventually, Vinnie decided to leave the shop. When he visited Nicky two years later, he told him how he had a job, a car, and a house. Nicky was so happy for Vinnie but feels uncomfortable with the attention. He says, “I don’t want to brag about something I did to help someone. I think if everyone does their one percent then the world would be different.’
Nicky continues to do his best to help the homeless. He started a new initiative called Barber Talk, which invites homeless people into his shop for free cuts once a month.
Rob Lane
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Barber Rob Lane felt like he had been given a second chance in life, and wanted to share that with others. The truck-turned-barbershop was parked at Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, with Rob volunteering his time and talent as homeless men like Sean McCann get a break from the cold. With help from Rob and the Camden County homeless resource fair, McCann was able to enjoy a fresh haircut, clean clothes and a place to sleep.
Matt Dunbar
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
16 year veteran of the police force Officer Matt Dunbar was working special duty when he met Mike Miller, a homeless person. Officer Dunbar decided to strike up a conversation with Mike about his dog. As they chatted, Dunbar realized Miller was homeless and asked how he manages to take care of his dog. Mike opened his bag to show Dunbar that most of what he had with him was dog food.
“That was the first thing and then the more I spent time with Mike, even though Mike’s made some mistakes and screwed up in life, He’s still a very decent human being, ” said Officer Dunbar.
Dunbar decided to help Miller by paying for him to live in a motel until he can get back on his feet. “I know the side of their police vehicles says protect and serve, it’s like he’s going beyond the serve, ” said Miller. One day Abe Tejada noticed a homeless man, Klaus Hailfinger, living on a slab of cardboard near his work. Abe couldn’t bear to watch Klaus eat alone, and joined him. Over time, Abe began bringing him meals and learning more about his story. Klaus became homeless after he lost his job, and had been homeless for up to 15 years. Abe continued to help Klaus by getting him a hotel room, a fresh haircut and even helped reunite him with his daughters after 15 years apart. Abe said, “I’m glad I got to share with my kids and my family, and I got to have them experience what you can do when you go a little bit out of your comfort zone and help somebody out.”
Abe Tajeda
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
One day Abe Tejada noticed a homeless man, Klaus Hailfinger, living on a slab of cardboard near his work. Abe couldn’t bear to watch Klaus eat alone, and joined him. Over time, Abe began bringing him meals and learning more about his story. Klaus became homeless after he lost his job, and had been homeless for up to 15 years. Abe continued to help Klaus by getting him a hotel room, a fresh haircut and even helped reunite him with his daughters after 15 years apart. Abe said, “I’m glad I got to share with my kids and my family, and I got to have them experience what you can do when you go a little bit out of your comfort zone and help somebody out.”
Natalie Barns
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Milwaukee bus driver Natalie Barns went out of her way to help a homeless man, all while she was on duty. Natalie happened to strike up a conversation with the man and learned that his house had been condemned. He had been homeless for a week.
Natalie let the man stay on the bus through her shift, and afterward purchased him dinner and anything he needed from the Dollar Store. She also connected him to homeless resources. Milwaukee County Transit System recognized her acts of kindness. “Natalie demonstrated what we all need to do to fight homelessness.”
Officer Kevin O’Donnell
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Officer Kevin O’Donnell was on his way to work in New Jersey when he noticed a homeless man shivering in the cold. Temperatures were well below freezing, and snowy weather was taking hold. O’Donnell said, “I ran home, I grabbed an old winter jacket I had, winter socks and an old pair of boots I had. I told him ‘I have a few items for you,’ and I gave him what I picked up from home and he thanked me, he was like ‘a lot of people don’t do that for me.” O’Donnell continues to do what he can to help the man find a job and get back on his feet.
Lauren Puryear
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Lauren Puryear, a successful mental health clinician with two Masters Degrees and a Ph.D., used an everyday item to help those around her – coupons. Through consistent coupon collecting, Lauren was able to feed thousands of people in her community. In the beginning of her efforts, Lauren founded an organization called For the Love of Others. Through her organization, she did her best to feed people by purchasing food in bulk. The turning point of her success was when she realized that if she strategically collected enough coupons, she could feed more people, more cheaply – or even sometimes, for free. She’s already fed almost 5,000 people and is on track to meet her goal of feeding 30,000 people by next year.
George McDonnell
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Retired Navy veteran George McDonnell helps his fellow veterans transition back to civilian life and find employment through his business Teamvets Cleaning Service. From experience, he knows that all veterans know how to clean because it’s an important part of boot camp. In addition to helping vets with employment, George is also a mentor for those going through the Veteran Honor Court. It’s a program for veterans who commit a one-time non-violent felony. Working at TeamVets Cleaning Service is one of many ways that George helps these veterans get through the Honor Court with a clean record.
Bob Wilson
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Benevolent businessman Bob Wilson knew he couldn’t standby when he saw the destruction that had befallen Paradise in northern California. Reading about the hardships faced by the Paradise high school students broke his heart. Bob arrived in nearby Chico with two suitcases filled with checks totaling $1.1 million for Paradise High School students and staff. Bob hoped that the students would know that someone was thinking about them and their wellbeing. The school’s principal Loren Lighthall said, “Bob’s donation puts money in each kid’s pocket right now for food, gas, clothes, for essential things.”
Justin Pratt
PROFITS RUN STARFISH AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Justin Pratt’s family was devastated by the California fires. He wanted to help others, but was far away in Oregon and only had access to his work semi-trailer. He decided to take relief efforts into his own hands and asked for donations for everything from non-perishable food items to new-or-lightly-used clothing. A week later, he drove the truck full of supplies down to California. “It’s about helping people”, Justin said in his interview.
