MAITLAND, Fla. — Every Monday, Spectrum News 13 brings you "Everyday Heroes," where we profile someone from the Central Florida community who has gone above and beyond to help others.
Those heroes are honored annually at the "Salute to Everyday Heroes" luncheon, held this year at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel on Tuesday in Maitland.
A select number of those heroes, including the Viewers' Choice Everyday Hero, were recognized at the event.
Spectrum News 13 anchor Ybeth Bruzual and other members of our team helped recognize the fact that there are a lot of good people everywhere -- heroes in education, volunteering, even a young Everyday Hero, all were given a plaque.
This is something we've done proudly for five years.
"Each Monday, we highlight an Everyday Hero throughout our community. You know, these are ordinary people, doing extraordinary things in the lives of others in our community," Spectrum Director of Public Relations Joe Durkin said.
Many of you voted for Everyday Hero nominees for the Viewers' Choice award.
The nominees for the Everyday Hero Viewers' Choice Hero came from all walks of life, but they all have taken steps to make the world a little better.
- Albert Yonfa saved a man's life after that man's heart stopped while driving. After Yonfa heard the car crash, he sprang into action and performed live-saving CPR. Since then, he and the heart-attack survivor have become friends.
- Stephanie Bowman, who was previously homeless and addicted to crack and alcohol, created the nonprofit One Heart for Women and Children, which helps almost 3,000 people a month going through their own hardships.
- Jamie Wong, a tattoo artist in Cocoa who became a community hero after starting "Toys for Tattoos," a program in which people who donate a toy can receive a tattoo. His studio collected close to $10,000 in toys for local kids.
- Elijah Kelly is a 14-year-old Eagle Scout who is autistic and created an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant table for kids who use wheelchairs.
Other awards were also given at the luncheon. They were:
- Young Hero of the Year
- Public Service Hero of the Year
- Education Hero of the Year
- Health Advocate Hero of the Year
- Volunteer Hero of the Year
- Hero of the Year
Tune in at 4 p.m. Sunday to watch the event and find out whom you chose for Viewers' Choice Hero. And watch Spectrum News 13 every Monday starting at 5:53 a.m. to learn more about Everyday Heroes in our communities.