A true hero is not really a hero at all; at least not in their own mind ~ Art Green

There has always been talk about heroes.  We hear about firefighters and soldiers that risk their lives; sports players that score the last point to win the game.  But true heroes are the ones we usually don’t hear about, the unsung heroes.  They always stand in the shadows, never in the spotlight, and they would not have it any other way.  One Sister in our chapter is such a hero!

Our hero Sister is always the first one to step up and accept a challenge or project, no matter how large or small.  For the last two years, she has fearlessly led our Chapter as President while serving on the National Board as Editor.  When it comes to keeping us organized and working together as a team she delegates our duties so that no one Sister is overburdened.  At the same time, she is quick to volunteer her time and talent as well.  This year, she coordinated Founder’s Day for our Province.  She did many things from finding a location to host the event, making fudge to sell for our charity scholarship fund, conducting an ice breaker game to researching Sorority history and finding an old forgotten poem written about our Founder.  As National Editor, she took over the huge responsibility for putting together our National bi-annual publication, The Charlotta.   She gathered letters and articles from over 30 chapters, 6 Provinces and our National officers.  She then edited the articles, added photos and captions, and created headings to create the electronic copy which was just under a hundred pages!  Next, she worked with the publisher to print over 300 bound copies!  She was responsible for making sure every Sister received a copy— our hero has done this twice in the last year!  In light of rising publishing costs, she spearheaded a National by-law change which the membership approved.  This change will allow our National organization to save about $2,000!  Even with all these large projects going on, our Sister always takes the time for small acts of kindness from making a meal for a Sister in need or ensuring a card is sent for a special occasion.

Heroes can also be found volunteering in many different capacities and our Sister is no exception.  During the year, she can be found selling concessions at concerts and sporting events at a local arena to benefit our Chapter’s charity fund.  Prior to the holidays, she can be found stuffing shoeboxes with donated toys, games and toiletries for Operation Christmas Child which assists children around the world.  She helped promote our annual poinsettia sale which raised $211 for charity. This past year, our Chapter volunteered with a local organization which provides clothing, toys, and children’s equipment to foster families in our state.  Our Sister made phone calls to foster parents and took their requests for needed items.  She has also sorted and stocked diapers and clothing.  For our annual garage sale, our Sister always donates items and we earned $148 this year.  This sister also donated clothing to a family who had lost everything due to a home fire.  When our Chapter stuffed shoeboxes to send to homeless women at a local shelter our Sister donated toiletry items that she thought the women would need.  In addition, she donated goods to a middle school that the students sent to soldiers abroad.  Our hero has also been known to purchase flowers for new members and special occasions; she doesn’t turn in the receipt for reimbursement from the Chapter.  She does these things, not wanting to be noticed.

Heroes do a great deal of work in their lives and they must balance that out by having fun too.  Our Sister enjoys taking a break for fun with her fellow Sisters.  She loves to host meetings at her house and she always outdoes herself by offering delicious food!  She supports our talented Sisters by attending their shows.  She helps provide transportation to one of our Sisters who is legally blind for shopping trips, working concessions or to volunteer functions.  Recently, our Chapter hosted our annual Luck O’ the Irish card party.  Our Sister made sure we had enough tables, chairs and food.  Our Chapter has been selected to host the Sorority’s National Convention in 2009.  Our Sister has eagerly jumped on the Convention Committee!  She journeyed to the host city, toured possible host hotels, and reported back her findings.  She was a key figure in helping us finalize the event location decision.

Just like everyone, heroes also have good days and bad days.  On a personal note, our special Sister and her family suffered a very tragic loss this past year; her cousin was a victim in the Virginia Tech shooting.  She has remained strong and courageous during this time of grief.  She kept forging ahead with her mission to make the world we live in a better place; she personally demonstrated in downtown Atlanta to raise awareness and urge reforms for gun control.  She also wrote letters to lobby to the college and state for funding of a Peace Center; a safe place at the college where students struggling with emotional and psychological problems can go for help.  She amazes and inspires us with her ability to accept challenges and life’s obstacles.  She never gives up!  The fact that she does this and expects no recognition whatsoever is amazing and endearing.  She has been such a blessing in our lives.  Her kindness, caring, friendship and love mean more to us than she can ever imagine.  For all that she does and for all that she is, she is our Unsung Hero.