A Handful of Helpful Heroes

The interest of most teenagers today lies in music, fashion, and technological gadgets; not so much in helping others. The less than pleasant disposition and overall supercilious attitude of most young adults doesn’t help their reputation either. As a result, most people view the teen years as a time of temper tantrums, meaningless trends, and tasteless apparels. Still, there are some teens who possess the power to change how people think, for the better. These handful of teenagers are kind, caring, helpful heroes. I’ll introduce you to two of them.

William Burger does everything that a seventeen year old teen boy would typically do. But what sets him apart, is his determination to make a difference helping others. He went above and beyond to help an elderly neighbor who desperately needed the assistance. Margie Jones was at a lost when her backyard began to turn into a deserted forest. You see, her husband had moved into a nursing home, leaving her as the sole caretaker for their home. However, Margie is eighty-seven and her age wasn’t going to allow her to pull weeds, mow lawn, and plant flowers for hours. That’s when Will stepped in.

When he heard that Margie needed help, he went right over. After making an assessment of her backyard, he quickly realized that he wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything on his own. So, he gathered all his friends and swarmed her house armed with flowers and gardening tools. After doing all that hard work, they decided not to charge Margie. Will continues to help the elderly for free; his group calls it “The Mrs. Jones Project.” He said the goal is to help others in his generation recognize that they have a lot of Mrs. Jones in their lives who needs their help.

Aidan Kanouse is a thirteen year old eighth grader. He’s a regular teen… except he’s not so regular. Aidan has autism and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), but that’s just a part of the reason he’s not regular. He volunteers at the veteran’s hospital where his mother, Tonya Hundeby, works as a nurse. This young man is an excellent conversationalist. He enjoys meeting new people and learning about their lives. His personality makes him a perfect candidate for the type of job he does.

Aidan works as a volunteer escort, but his only goal isn’t to get his patients from one location to another. Additionally, according to Aidan, he wants to make them feel good. Aidan is a helping hero because he chooses to brighten the day of each veteran hero, he comes in contact with on a daily basis. He ensures that everyone whom he pushes in a wheelchair is listened to. It is for this reason Aidan makes the journey a slow one; so he and his patients will have more time to talk.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)

What helpful deed will you perform today?