Letcher County Fundraising Hero

(August 31, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero truly believes in rolling up her sleeves and helping people in need.  Alberta Perry's name is known throughout Letcher County as the "go-to person" when money needs to be raised.  For the past several years, Alberta was the chair of the Relay For Life in Letcher County, and she has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars!  American Cancer Society Community Representative, Bridgette Brashear said Alberty is one of the best fundraisers in the entire region.  "Alberta is so very involved in the fight against cancer," explained Brashear.  "She has been so instrumental in  fundraising and the support of the American Cancer Society that last year, Governor Steve Beshear actually named her an Ambassador."
     Looking back, Alberta said one of her most memorable and successful fundraisers was held just six months ago, in March.  After the deadly eastern Kentucky tornado outbreak, she knew she needed to raise money to benefit the four-legged victims.  "I wanted to do something, but I wanted it to be for the animals.  I felt that everyone was reaching out to the adults and the children...the people affected," explained Perry.  "I wanted to do something for the animals because I felt like they didn't have a voice.  I actually held a fundraiser in the parking lot of Wal Mart and collected dog foot, cat food, rabbit food and horse feed.  We took straw...we took everything we could!"
     She truly believes her desire to help others comes from her childhood in eastern Kentucky, where she was raised to always try to put someone else's needs before your own.  "We always tried to help anybody and everybody that we could," she recalls.  "And, I think that if you can instill that kind of thinking in a child when you are raising them up, it will follow them through their entire life."
     Congratulations, Alberta Perry, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Volunteering to Help Children

     (August 24, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero, like most of our heroes, has made volunteering a way of life.  And, this week's hero donates her time to helping children.  Through her job at the Pike County Health Department, Suetta Clevinger helps lots of people, but she loves projects that help children.
     "I do child passenger safety training with the Kentucky State Police.  I'm also an instructor to train the troopers to become technicians," explained Clevinger.  "I also help them with fundraisers for Trooper Island like their golf tournament and bike ride.  Anything they ask me to do that I can do, I'll go above and beyond to help them.  I'm also involved with Hillbilly Christmas in July because my heart's out there for children!"
     Suetta volunteers her time working with many different groups which benefit many types of people.  But, she says she loves working with the Kentucky State Police to help them raise money for Trooper Island as well as "shop with a trooper".  Trooper Shaun Little, Public Affairs Officer for Post 9 in Pikeville says Suetta's help is invaluable.
     "Suetta gives to anybody she can.  I don't know how many activities she's involved in, but for the State Police, anything I've ever asked from her, she's always there," explained Little.  "She helps with registration for our motorcycle ride and does whatever else we need.  Suetta is the go-to person for a lot of people!"
     One other group that benefits from Suetta's help is Hillbilly Christmas in July.  She said that one trip to the Shriners Hospital in Lexington was all it took.  "I went to the Shriners Hospital, and it broke my heart!  If you go to that hospital, and you come out without crying, there's something wrong," she said.  "That's why I'm so involved with Hillbilly Christmas in July.  I just want to help the children.  I have a big heart, and I really want to help the community as much as I can."
     Congratulations, Suetta Clevinger, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Nothing Can Stop This Hero

     The story of this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero is one of strength and perseverance. It is a story of one person who has not let what many would call a handicap keep her from making a difference in the world that surrounds her. Gina Bryant is employed as a graphic designer at Pikeville Medical Center, but she is recognized this week for the thousands of hours she has dedicated to saving animals through her work with the Appalachian SPCA.
      Cindy May Johnson, President of the Appalachian SPCA, says Gina is definitely one of the hardest working volunteers they have.
      "She works tirelessly and for many, many hours to save animals' lives. And she does it at great expense to herself. In addition to holding down a full-time job, she doesn't even balk at the round-the-clock care that requires setting her alarm clock for every two hours to feed a newborn kitten. She is present at every single event we have and does the dirtiest jobs as well as the wonderful jobs that everybody likes (cuddling the pets). But, the bottom line is when we need help, or an animal needs help, we know we can depend on Gina."
       Gina lives with a severe hearing impairment that would be considered debilitating to most people. But with the help of hearing aids and her ability to read lips, she is able to communicate with people.
       Cathy Maynard, Vice President of the Appalachian SPCA, believes her impairment has actually made Gina the strong person she is today.
       "I don't believe there's anything that she's afraid to do. You know, I'm a little bit nervous around the real big dogs, but there's no dog that she doesn't like. She will take on some dogs that other people wouldn't even dream of taking, and she falls in love with all of them!"
       Congratulations to Gina Bryant, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.

Paying It Forward

(August 10, 2012) - The story of this week’s Billy Johnson Community hero is all about “Paying it Forward.” Our hero Cory Russell, a 28-year-old resident of Pikeville, did just that. A few weeks ago, the morning after his wedding, Russell overheard an elderly gentleman asking the clerk in Pikeville’s Hampton Inn for a phone book. The gentlman was trying to find an old Navy buddy he hadn’t seen since 1960. What Cory Russell did next is what makes him this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero.

       “He [the elderly gentleman] was talking to the people in the front lobby and he was saying, ‘You know, I’m getting old and I want to find my long lost buddy and I haven’t seen him in 40 years.’ And I heard him mention his name and I said, ‘Well heck, I know the guy’s name. Come over here and see if we can’t find him.’ And so I just told him, ‘Tell you what, by no means do you have to do this, but if you can take me to my truck, I’ll take you to the guy’s front door.’ So he’s like ‘You don’t have to do that,’ and I said, ‘Look seriously, I want you to get up with this guy. I don’t want to leave here until you get to talk to him. I mean, you came all the way up to Pikeville to find him and we’re going to make it happen.’ And so I just drove him all the way to that guy’s front door.”

        Before Cory left, he shared with the two men that his good deed had already been paid forward: by the manager of the Hampton Inn.

       “Yeah, they [the elderly couple] were like, ‘Do we owe anything?’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely not, but I need to tell you before I leave that the Hampton Inn had just called and said for my generosity helping you out they comped our hotel room.’”

       We asked Cory why he did what he did that morning. He said that people have helped him all his life, and he felt it was only right for him to help someone else.

       “You know, look how many things that people have done for me. If you get an opportunity, don’t let it slide by. Pay it forward and one day, maybe I’ll need somebody’s help and hopefully I’ll be fortunate enough for someone to step up and be willing to help a hand."

       Congratulations to Cory Russell, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero.   

Remembering EKB's Own Randy Jones

(August 3, 2012) - Last weekend, the Annual Hillbilly Christmas in July Christmas party was held at the Shriner's hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. This event is very special for both the children and the Hillbilly Christmas in July group. On Friday, the children each picked a toy from the 6,000 delivered just this year that were donated by Hillbilly Christmas in July, Double Kwik, and hundreds of supporters.
       That brings us to this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero: the only recipient we have honored who is no longer with us, Randy Jones. Last Saturday, the Shriner's Hospital Board of Directors placed a plaque on the wall honoring Hillbilly Christmas in July, the group started by Randy and Jimmy Kinney for their contributions.
       "Randy and I walked by that wall several times. We always looked at it and thought, 'Wouldn't it be great if Hillbilly Christmas in July were on that wall?' And I'll be doggone, Saturday they put our name up there," said Jimmy.
        In the 7 years since the group was started, they have donated over $300,000 and more than 36,000 toys to the hospital, putting smiles on thousands of faces. Randy never doubted that they could make a difference. He would say, "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off the goal... and we are focused on the goal! We will make as large a contribution to the hospital as humanly possible!"
        And that, they have.
       "If Randy could just see what the community has done in his honor, I'm sure he would just turn over. I hope that we continue to do him justice for what an impact he had on all the people in the area, all the kids and everything. It's super,"said Jimmy.
        So this week, we remember and honor this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero: East KY Broadcasting's own and Hillbilly Christmas in July's Randy Jones.

This Hero Says It Doesn't Take Much to Give Back

(July 27, 2012) - For this week's Billy Johnson Community hero, volunteering time to support causes close to her heart is a way of life. Pikeville resident Karen Prater spends nearly all her spare time supporting the many organizations she volunteers for. She is a member of the Pikeville Rotary Club, a board member of Jenny Wiley Theatre, and a member of the Pike County Arts Council, as well as a volunteer for several YMCA events and the Artists Collaborative Theatre. Karen knows everyone can't be as involved as she is, but she says we can all do something.
     "Even one person can make a difference for someone else, even if it's one person to help with one little thing that you may not think in the grand scheme of things matters. But sometimes just doing something like the YMCA 'Strong Kids Campaign.' There may be some child that could not go to the Y otherwise and that one thing that we do that helps with that campaign could make a difference in that child's life."
      She stresses that making a difference doesn't require a lot of time or money.
      "Everybody can come up with an hour or two in their week that they are doing something that really isn't relevant, whereas you could take that hour and help make a difference. It doesn't take a lot of time, and it doesn't take a lot of money, you just have to have the desire to want to try."
       One of the causes most dear to Karen Prater's heart is supporting the coal industry. And she says that goes all the way back to her childhood.
       "I grew up as a coal miner's daughter. Both my grandfathers were coal miners and pretty much everyone in my family on both sides was involved in the coal industry. Either they were trucking or they were mining coal, so I help with 'Friends of Coal' to try to continue to support the industry and promote the industry to make people aware that coal mining is not a dirty, bad, ugly thing. It is a good thing and it is our way of life in this area."
       Congratulations to Karen Prater, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.

Baby Steps for Future Generations

(July 20, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero, like many others, saw a need in our region, went to work, and didn't stop until she accomplished her goal.
     Five years ago, our hero Kay Hammond, realized that young women and couples in eastern Kentucky were experiencing unplanned pregnancies and didn't have many resources for support. So in 2007, the Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center opened its doors, giving much needed support, counseling, and supplies to expectant mothers and their newborns.
     "I really believe that the Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center really is a life-changing ministry. We offer really a comprehensive system of support and services for many women who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies and their newborns."
      The pregnancy care center Kay and her group started is a non-profit organization that gives free services to its clients. The workers are all volunteers and the organization relies on several fundraisers and donations to exist.
      "We don't get any federal money. We get a small grant from United Way. We basically just depend on people who have a heart for our clients and for babies. We've been able to survive with that."
       In addition to the Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center, Kay Hammond has donated her time to many other organizations across the region. She says that no matter what people may say, one person can make a difference!
       "I look back on my own life and I certainly can remember key individuals who absolutely have made a difference in my life. I hope I can be that kind of support for these girls and anybody. You know, if you have a heart for people, you can make a difference. What more important thing could you invest in than future generations?"
        Congratulations to Kay Hammond, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.

Turning the Gears for Kids

(July 13, 2012) - The story of this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero started a little over a year ago. In March 2011, Mick Polly noticed a child in his neighborhood in Whitesburg, Kentucky, trying to ride a broken bicycle. Motivated by this situation, our hero went to work. He fixed that bicycle and then another one. Next, people started bringing their old or broken bicycles to Mick, who would repair them and give them to children in need. Fixing that one bike has now escalated into an impressive total of 435 bicycles. And even if you tried, you couldn't buy one of these bicycles from Mick Polly.
     "I get a lot of people come in to buy my bikes. No, you're not going to buy a bike. I only have a couple of rules. One, you've got to be a child. Two, try hard in school. All you've got to do is say you're trying and stay out of trouble. And you have to mind your parents or grandparents, whoever is raising you."
      The word about Mick Polly's mission has spread throughout Letcher County. Now, people are bringing him bicycles by the dozen, both used and new. He even works with local churches to help children who attend but may not have a bicycle.
      "I had a church contact me here not long ago about some young children. I talked to them and said whoever can have perfect attendance for a month, I'll give them a bike. I had 4 boys and 2 little girls that went every Sunday and every Wednesday."
       Mick says that anyone can make a difference in a child's life.
      "If you don't think you can make a difference, really think again. Think about, in the case of a child, would you want someone to help your child? Next thing you know your community will get behind you. People in eastern Kentucky are so anxious to give, and they are the biggest hearted people in the world anywhere. You can make a difference in someone's life. All you have to do is want to."
       Congratulations to Mick Polly: this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.
   

This Hero Says It's Easy Being Green

(July 6, 2012) It seems that more and more, we see on the television and hear on the radio about the importance of recycling, or being “green.” This week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero truly believes in taking care of… and giving back to nature. Kelly Scott is a science teacher at Pikeville High School and her beliefs have definitely caught on with her students. This year, Kelly says she is more involved than ever. One program she engages in is a water-sampling project through the state called “Watershed Watch.
     “I’m getting way more involved this year so that, one, I know what’s happening where I live. I collect samples here at the school, but I also collect samples at my house so I know the water quality where my dogs go and play in the creek. Everybody can do it. It’s free and you only have to sample 3 times a year: once in summer, once in fall, and once in spring.”
      Kelly says she does this because she truly believes in it. But she knows that being an educator, she can use her passion to teach.
      “It is more about education… and it’s more about this trend across America and across the world about being a “citizen scientist” where you collect data. You become part of this bigger picture.
       In addition she is also very involved in the PRIDE group. In fact, because of Kelly’s passion, Pikeville High School has a very active group called Panther PRIDE. But she says it all started because she, personally, wanted to do something!
      “It all started with me just wanting to make a difference. I just think it’s very sad. We have such an amazing ecosystem here. We have beautiful trees, and we have beautiful land. We have beautiful forests and so many other things. But litter takes away from it. Everybody can do something. Recycle something, pick up something, or plant something. It’s all very easy.”
     Congratulations to Kelly Scott, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero. 

World War II Veteran Finally Honored for His Service

(June 29, 2012) -  After 66 years, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero finally received the recognition he deserves. When World War II veteran Scott Spradlin of Pike County was discharged from the war in 1945, he had earned many awards for his service. The building in St. Louis, Missouri, that housed these records, however, burnt down. So when Spradlin found a package containing 11 medals in his mail a few weeks ago, he wasn’t expecting it.

        “I was kind of surprised. After 66 years, I’d always forgot about them.”
        In 1943, 18-year-old Scott Spradlin was called to military service. Never having been away from home, he was taken overseas to Naples, Italy, where he received medical training. Serving as a medic on the combat medical team, Spradlin dealt with several horrifying situations on a day-to-day basis.
       “This guy was one of the soldiers in the infantry, and he stepped on a landmine and blew both of his feet off. That was my first patient to operate on and I had to take care of him. I had to put tourniquets on him and bandage him up and by the time he was done, someone else was screaming and hollering. I did that for 2 years, until the war was over.”
       Spradlin describes living conditions during the war as rough and challenging. He says he and his fellow soldiers slept outside, often in freezing temperatures.
       "You sleep in a hole in the ground. You get a bath every 30 days and clean clothes every 30 days and you sleep in a hole if you sleep at all because you're fighting, shooting, and walking. And you don't ride, you walk."
        But while his brave act of patriotism was traumatizing, Spradlin says the experience also gave him a new perspective of the world.
      “You wouldn’t take anything for your experience but you wouldn’t go through with it again for a million dollars. It changes your outlook on life. If you have any idea what I went through. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.”
      Congratulations to Scott Spradlin, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero.

Volunteering on Vacations

(June 22, 2012) - While most people are packing their bags to go to the beach or the amusement park this time of year, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero is spending his vacation giving back to his community. Jimmy Parsons spends 40 hours a week working for the Kentucky Department of Transportation as the Traffic Count Tech for the District 12 Office in Pikeville. He spends his vacation time every year, however, helping others.
"I do World Changers events and it’s through Southern Baptist. I’ve been in different states and all across the country doing this. And I take my youth group to them and they participate in it as young kids. First one I ever went to, I just got hooked.”

      Jimmy understands how important it is to mentor young people and teach them things that will help them in life. When he and his group aren’t traveling to help other people, Jimmy’s hosting groups of young people who come into our region and help.
    “They sacrifice a week of their time to come and sleep on a floor or on a cot and provide the labor for the low-income people in our communities. You’d be fascinated to see some of these kids; they’re actually good carpenters.”
     Jimmy Parsons truly believes in helping others live better lives. What vacation time he has left after his time for World Changers, he spends volunteering for other groups.
    “That’s not the only problem I work on. I work on Habitat, I’ve done two or three Habitat builds. And I do Higher Call, which is a church-building outfit. We’ve built two churches here in Pike County.”
    But Jimmy says he does it all because he feels led to do so.
    “I am a soldier for the Lord. I am a witness through him. And I do all things through His strength. Nothing on me, nothing for me, and I want it to all be for him.”
    Congratulations Jimmy Parsons, this week’s Billy Johnson Community Hero. 

Vietnam War Vet and Local Shriner Gives Back

(June 15, 2012) - Sometimes, you hear on the radio or read a story about someone who ran into a burning building and saved somebody's life, and he/she is called a 'hero'.  But, many of our Billy Johnson Community Heroes are recognized because of their long-time commitment to their community.  And, this week's hero, Mr. Sylvester Ramey of Elkhorn City has done just that.  Mr. Ramey, a Vietnam War Veteran, retired underground coal miner and business owner, understands how important it is to give back to your community.  In addition to serving many years as a volunteer firefighter, he still volunteers for the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife teaching hunter safety to young hunters.  "I've been involved with the Department of Fish & Wildlife doing hunter education classes for years, and I'm still the president of the Sportsman's Club here in Elkhorn City," explained Mr. Ramey.  "I was one of the first volunteers when they started the volunteer program for hunter education.  I was one of the first 1,000 in the state certified to do that."
     Mr. Ramey says, though, that probably the most rewarding thing he does is with the Shriners, helping transport children and their families back and forth from treatment.  "What we do in the Shriners at the local level is transport children to and from the Shriner's Hospital, whether it be in Cincinnati or Lexington," explained Mr. Ramey.  "Some of the most rewarding experiences I've had is working with the kids at the hospital.  It's amazing, and they will touch your heart.  They always seem to have a smile on their faces, too.  It makes you feel like you have had a small part in putting that smile on that child's face."
     Thank you, Mr. Sylvester Ramey, for understanding the importance of giving back to your community!

Nine Year Old Leukemia Warrior

(June 8, 2012) - There is only one thing worse than hearing the words, "You have cancer," and that is hearing that your eight year old child has cancer.  That day was May 9, 2011 for a young man from Auxier, Kentucky named Trevor Wright, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.  Trevor's mom, Belinda, said that Trevor's school called and said he was running a fever, so she picked him up.  But, when she took him to the doctor, he knew something was wrong when Trevor's white blood cell count was 250,000.  "He told me a story about a child who had cancer...who had Leukemia," she remembers.  "I sat there and listened to the whole story, and he said that child is okay now, and is still a patient.  Then, I said, 'What's that got to do with us?' And he said, 'I think Trevor has Leukemia.'"
     Trevor went through both chemo and radiation, and was considered cancer-free just 29 days later, which many are calling a miracle.  Trevor hasn't been back to school, but thanks to an organization called "Monkey in my Chair," his classmates can keep in contact.  "It's a huge monkey, probably as big as Trevor," says Belinda.  "It sits in his chair and holds his chair for him the whole time he's out of school.  And, it has a journal where they can write Trevor and send it to him.  And, he writes them notes back."
     We talked to Trevor, who is now nine, and asked him what makes him happy.  And, his answer was much different than most nine year olds.  "Uhhhh....mostly what makes me happy is being home now and out of that hospital!"
   Trevor is still taking chemo, but hopes to return to school this fall.  His mother says she is glad that Trevor touches people, but she says it is bittersweet.  "I'm glad he's an inspiration to people," she explained.  "But, on the other hand, I so wish he didn't have to be!"

     Congratulations, Trevor Wright, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

PMC Volunteer Hero

(June 1, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero, like most of our heroes, spends much of his free time helping others.  Paul Thompson is one of the many volunteers at Pikeville Medical Center.  In fact, he was recently named "Volunteer of the Year" at PMC...an award that Mr. Thompson said he had no idea he had won.  "I was very surprised.  I'm not much for awards," explained Mr. Thompson.  "I'm here for the patients.  I enjoy visiting the patients."
     Mr. Thompson, who makes the drive two to three times a week to Pikeville from the Williamson, West Virginia area, says he has been visiting hospital patients since he was 15 years old.  He explained that a serious injury several years ago showed him how much visits from volunteers can mean to a patient.  "I got hurt in 1973 and have been hospitalized in and out for many years," he recalls.  "I know how it feels to lay in a bed without any company...without anybody coming by to say hello, and just seeing the nurse."
     He says being in that position is lonely, and he doesn't want patients to experience that.  And, the patients that Thompson visits are also in the middle of a battle for their lives.  He spends his time with cancer patients in the hospital and those receiving treatment at the Leonard Lawson Cancer Center.  Mr. Thompson says the visits with the patients mean as much to him as they mean to those he visits.  "You gain a whole lot more than you give," he explained.  "You see the hurt and destruction of cancer.  I visit mostly cancer patients.  You see all the suffering, and it makes you so thankful that you are as well off as you are and able to get out and do something."
     Congratulations, Mr. Paul Thompson, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

This Hero Has Served Her Community For 40 Years

(May 25, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero has made serving her community a priority for the past 40 years.  Mingo County, WV resident Mae Stallard is known throughout West Virginia as a woman who has always put the needs of others before her own.  She says she feel s like the little girl she once heard about in a story.  "There had been a big storm during the night, and there were all kinds of starfish, hundreds of them, washed up on the shore," Mae recalls.  "There was a man also walking out on the beach, and he was watching this little girl who kept throwing the starfish back into the water.  He said to the little girl, 'Honey, you shouldn't do that.  You can't help them.  There's nothing you can do.' And she picked up another one and said, 'I made a difference in that one's life.'"
     Mae is a retired teacher in Mingo County, and is still loved by her former students, who affectionately call her 'Miss Boo'.  And, even after she retired, she agreed to substitute from time to time.  "After I retired, I would substitute.  The only thing is that I wouldn't let them pay me," explained Mrs. Stallard.  "I said, 'listen...I've had so much joy in teaching!"
     Now, even her substituting days are behind her, but she still sees some students every Wednesday before school.  "I have a bible club at Williamson Middle School that I started in 1994.  But, I have to go early in the morning before school starts."
     She is also one of the organizers of Williamson's King Coal Festival, and says she truly loves everything she does.  "My doctor tells me, 'Mae, everything you do honey...half of it's got to go!'" she laughed.  "And, I say, 'Let me tell you something.  I don't do one thing that I don't feel the Lord has called me to do!'"
     Congratulations, Mae Stallard, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Hero Vows to Fight Cancer

(May 18, 2012) - Losing a child is a nightmare that every parent prays he/she will never experience.  However, that experience is what drives this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.  Ten years ago, Scrapy Barnes' youngest daughter, Rachel was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the blood...all because she didn't feel well when she came home from college on Christmas break.
     "Rachel came home between Thanksgiving and Christmas of her freshman year of college with a swollen lymph node," recalls Scrapy.  "She had all the symptoms of mononucleosis and all the symptoms of pneumonia."
     And, after 3 hard years battling the disease, Rachel lost her battle with cancer.  "Rachel was 22 when she passed.  She died on July 28, 2005," explained Scrapy.  "That's why I'm so passionate to help find a cure.  We got to meet so many of her friends when Rachel was going through chemo and radiation at UK in Lexington.  We met so many people with Hodgkins Lymphoma."
     But, instead of retreating into a world of hurt and anger, Scrapy got in touch with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and began volunteering.  "I started volunteering with LLS with a program called, 'Pennies for Patients'.  It is voluntary and there's no money involved," explained Scrapy.  "With the passion I have, I just feel I can give something back that the people have given us over the past ten years."
     And, in the next few months, you will be hearing more from Scrapy and the LLS as they plan to hold an event to raise money to fight blood cancers.  "Our Light the Night awareness walk will be September the 8th at Bob Amos Park in Pikeville," said Scrapy.  And, we will be telling you more about that event as it gets closer.                                                        
     Congratulations, Scrapy Barnes, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Local Hero Gives Tornado Victims a New Home

(May 11, 2012) - Sometimes, when a large scale disaster happens and hundreds of people are affected as with the recent eastern Kentucky tornado outbreak, it's easy for us to get overwhelmed and feel like one person can't make a difference.  However, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero rolled up her sleeves and did make a difference to a Salyersville family.  Pikeville resident Robin Webb knew many families had lost everything, and it got her thinking.  "I thought, wouldn't it be great if there could be immediate relief for a particular family.  Maybe something on a personal level to help them maybe get into a new home," explained Webb.  "I kind of put myself in that position, and one of the first things I would have been thinking is, where am I going to live?"

     She heard about a family in Magoffin County who had lost their home through a friend on Facebook, and Robin got to work!  She used her own Facebook page to spread the word and start raising money.  She found a mobile home for sale, and "Operation Home" was born.  "I just kind of made the page and named it 'Operation Home'.  I added people on my friends list and they added people on theirs, and that's how it came about and grew from there!"

     In just over a month's time, through the Operation Home Facebook page, Robin had raised the money she needed...and then some!  "So we were not only able to buy the mobile home," she explained.  "We were able to also fill it with things to give the family some type of normalcy."

     And, just last week, thanks to some mobile home movers who donated their services, the Magoffin County family who lost everything to the deadly tornado received their new home, thanks to Robin, Operation Home and the power of social media!  So, the next time you feel like you can't make a difference, remember this story...and these words from Robin Webb, "It's not that hard for a small group of people to make a really big difference in a short amount of time!"

     Congratulations, Robin Webb, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Relay For Life Volunteer Hero

(May 3, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero probably spends as much time volunteering for a cause very dear to her heart as she does working at her paid job.  Jennifer Brown is in her third year as co-chair of the Relay For Life of Pike County, but has been a Relay volunteer for nearly 10 years.  Relay For Life events are held across the world each year, and are collectively, the number one fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  And, Jennifer says she participates in Relay For Life because she has seen in her own family the results of raising money for ACS.  "Both my grandfathers had bouts with cancer.  Luckily, neither one of them were life threatening," she said.  "My living grandfather has been fighting cancer for years, and is actually on an American Cancer Society treatment.  My grandfather was touched personally by the research that ACS specifically did.  The dollars we raise here in Pike County could have been the very dollar that funded the research that saved my grandfather's life."
     As head of a committee that works all year planning the event, Jennifer is working constantly to plan fundraisers and educate our community about fighting cancer.  "Cancer is something that touches every single person.  If you haven't had it, somebody in your family, a friend or somebody in your group has been touched by cancer," explained Jennifer.  "Working with the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life, specifically, you are making a difference in people's lives.  And, hopefully making a difference in your children's and grandchildren's lives...when hopefully cancer is no longer something we have to worry about!"
     The Relay For Life of Pike County is Friday, June 8th at Bob Amos Park in Pikeville.  Congratulations, Jennifer Brown, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Personal Struggles Give This Hero Strength

(April 27, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero has an incredible story of strength and recovery that has helped many people overcome obstacles they thought were impossible.  Anna Wakeland works at the Westcare Emergency Homeless Shelter in Pikeville, helping people get back on their feet.  And, she uses her own personal experiences in life to inspire others.  She says her story began a few years ago when she was working in a doctor's office and became addicted to prescription medication.  "Needless to say, I had a battle with addiction.  I stole from the doctor," explained Wakeland.  "I'm not proud of that now, and I wasn't proud of it then.  But, that's my story.  I spent 28 months in jail and six months home incarceration."
     And, while she served her time in jail, Wakeland says she started attending classes offered through Westcare.  And, even though she started out just going through the motions, things began to change for her.  "So, finally I started paying attention and doing the things I was supposed to be doing.  I participated like I was supposed to, and things just started to turn around for me."
     She now works at the Emergency Homeless Shelter in Pikeville, helping people get back many of the things they have lost.  Anna knows all about having to work hard to get back on your feet, and she shares her story with anyone who is willing to listen.  "I kind of tell them my story.  I say, 'Listen.  I know you are here on the worst day of your life.  I've been there.'  And, I use my story to help them," explained Wakeland.
     Knowing all too well the powerful grip that drug addiction can have on someone's life, Anna says she feels led to reach out to others.  In fact, she says she is always available to talk to anyone who is facing addiction...NOT just those people staying at the homeless shelter.  "You can call me.  I'll help you," she said.  "I'll help you get into Westcare.  I'll help you get into a treatment facility that will help you.  You have to change your people, places and things.  Your whole life will have to turn around.  You have to work for what you get in life."
     Congratulations, Anna Wakeland, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Hillbilly Hero

(April 20, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero and Hillbilly Days go hand in hand. And nobody should be surprised to hear that Jimmy Kinney is the Hero chosen this week. For those who do not know, Jimmy's father, "Shady" Grady Kinney is one of the original founders of Hillbilly Days, which started back in 1977. And, although Jimmy has been involved with Hillbilly Days since the beginning, that is not what has made him this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero. He is being recognized for Hillbilly Christmas in July, an annual event he and the late Randy Jones started just a few years ago.

"Randy Jones and I got together and wanted to do a ride for the Lexington Shriner's Hospital because they happen to run out of toys during the middle of the year," explained Kinney. "We had been taking toys down for Christmas, but they were a little short during July. Next thing we knew, we were getting together and pulling a ride together. The first year we did it, we took down 2,200 toys and $5,000 dollars. Lo and behold, the next year we took down 2,000 toys and ended up with about $100,000 dollars!"

Jimmy and his group have now contributed over $270,000 dollars and have delivered 30,000 toys to the hospital in Lexington. And, each year, a caravan of around 1,000 motorcycles make the trip from Pikeville, rain or shine.

Now, it's hard to talk to anyone in the eastern half of Kentucky who hasn't heard of "Hillbilly Christmas in July". But, Jimmy stresses that even though the hospital in Lexington treats children from all over, there are hundreds of local children who are current patients there. "As a matter of fact, right now, there are over 360 active patients just from Pike County," explained Kinney. "So, we really need to take care of these kids! If you can touch one child, it is worth all the money in the world."

For more information, you can check out their website at www.hillbillychristmasinjuly.org. Congratulations, Jimmy Kinney, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Local Fire Chief Named This Week's Hero

(April 12, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero is a man who is known throughout the region for coming to people's rescue when their lives are in danger, and has been doing that for the past 40 years. Glen Adkins, the chief of the Millard/East Shelbiana Fire Department and Dive Team says it all started for him 40 years ago this month. "It all started in April, 1972. A man's trailer caught on fire on Rocky Road, and him and his wife got out with only the shirts on their backs," recalls Adkins. "That made us realize that we needed some type of fire protection."

And, that was the start of only part of what he does. Several years later, after dozens of flash floods, boating accidents and drownings, Glen saw the need to start a dive team. But, he says working in the water in our region is not an easy task. "The dive team came into place in 1980. Most of our water here has no visibility. Probably 20% of our calls are in the lake and 80% of them are in the river. In the river, you have virtually zero visibility," explained Adkins.

And, everyone knows being a volunteer firefighter and answering calls when you know lives are depending on you is not for everyone. Glen recalls a few accidents he has responded to that made him realize that he knew he was doing what he was meant to do. "Probably the latest one was the school bus wreck at Millard. A truck came around the curve and hit a school bus that was loaded with kids, and the driver was trapped bad," he remembered. "It makes you feel good to be able to get them off the bus safely and get her from being pinned. The good part of it is when you are able to help somebody or save someone's life, or even find a victim who has been drowned for two to three weeks. It gives the family closure."

Congratulations, Glen Adkins, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Pike County PRIDE Hero

(April 6, 2012) - When most people think about the PRIDE group in Pike County, they think about this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero, Jimmy Dale Sanders. The PRIDE Initiative, started 15 years ago by Congressman Hal Rogers, stands for Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment, and Jimmy Dale Sanders is one of its biggest supporters. Mr. Sanders has been working with the Pike County PRIDE group for 13 years, and spends much of his time working with school groups and helping organize various community clean-up projects. And, throughout the past several years, he says he can tell a difference. "I have seen great results, and we've cleaned up over 300 illegal dumps in Pike County through the solid waste department and PRIDE working together," said Sanders. "We've come a long way! The river that runs behind my house is about 90% better than it was 20 years ago."

And, even though illegal dump sites are being cleaned up and less people seem to be littering, Mr. Sanders says he still sees litter on the sides of the road in places all across Pike County. And, that is something he cannot stand. "I drive down the road and see litter or an illegal dump, and it really irritates me. It's not a hard thing to control litter," explains Sanders. "If people would just keep their garbage in their car or truck until they get home and put it in garbage cans, the solid waste department will pick it up and get rid of it."

Jimmy Dale Sanders is known throughout our region as a PRIDE volunteer who sacrifices many weekends and evening hours working to clean up Pike County. And, he says one thing that gives him hope is the youth involvement he sees through several area schools. Because, he knows in his heart that everyone working together can make a difference. "When you can see the results, that's what it's all about! I hope to be able to drive down our roads and hollows and not see litter that looks like it snowed all along the ditch lines. It shouldn't be that way."

Congratulations, Jimmy Dale Sanders, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.

Local Business Woman Gives From Her Heart

(March 23, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero is well known throughout our region for work she does through her business, but Shirley Blackburn is this week's Community Hero for the work she does from her heart. She heads up "Coats for Kids," a non-profit group that she started eight years ago to purchase coats for children in our area. She said it all started when she heard someone talking about needing to purchase coats for children, and it has grown from there. But, Shirley gives all the credit for their success to the many volunteers who help. "It's all about the volunteers. It's about the Lord first, and then the volunteers who jump in there to help," explained Blackburn. "Whether it be working hot dog sales or someone donating $10 to purchase a coat, it's all about the volunteers. I just was the person who heard the need that day!"

The "Coats for Kids" group works year-round, holding fundraisers to help pay for the coats they will need to purchase in the fall, and she is very thankful for the support of her family. "If it wasn't for my husband, J.R. Blackburn, my daughters Brianna and Lexie and my mom, we couldn't do it," explains Blackburn. "They've put up with my vision to help with the coats, and we've had coats all over our home trying to get them ready to give out to children."

Shirley says she was excited that first year to see how many children received new coats, and had absolutely no idea how much it would grow! "We started the first year with 200 coats, and I thought, 'Oh, my goodness, how are we going to pull this together?' But, we traveled from Huntington to Charleston to Lexington trying to locate coats. The next year it grew more, and this year...eight years later, we were able to put 3,000 coats out to our children!" For more information, visit www.coatsforkidsky.com.

Congratulations, Shirley Blackburn, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Retired Educator and Volunteer is This Week's Hero

(March 2, 2012) - The Billy Johnson Community Hero for the first week of March, 2o12 is no stranger to most people in the Pikeville Area. She is retired school teacher and 22 year volunteer at Pikeville Medical Center, Mrs. Jeanette Elder. She tells us she was actually one of the first volunteers at the hospital when they started the volunteer program. "When they started the volunteer program in 1990, I was one of the original group," explained Mrs. Elder. "I think we had around 20 at the time, and I believe I'm the only original one left."

And, chances are if you or someone you know has had a baby at Pikeville Medical Center in the past 20 years, she has taken the baby's picture. That is her main priority at PMC. "My husband and I started it in 1992 when they turned the baby pictures over to the volunteers. After he died in 1996, I just kept it up on my own," she said. "So, I do baby pictures on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and on weekends if they need me."

She says now that her four children are grown with families of their own, she enjoys staying active through volunteering, where she still regularly runs into former students. She recalls one particular moment that made all her hard work in the classroom worthwhile. "A former student came up to me and said, 'Mrs. Elder, I just want you to know that I am working on my Master's degree.' And, that really made me feel good. I always told my students that they could go to college. It might take some of them longer than others because they would have to work at it, and she was one of those. But, here she was, a grandmother getting her Master's degree! I really think I would never run into some of the people I encounter here at PMC anywhere else."

Congratulations, Mrs. Jeanette Elder, Billy Johnson Community Hero for the first week of March, 2012!

Johnson County Educator is This Week's Hero

(February 24, 2012) - This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero is Kentucky Academic Hall of Fame Coach and Johnson County Middle School teacher, Pam Burton. "I have taught for a total of 32 and a half years. The first ten and a half years, I taught in West Virginia, and I've been teaching in Kentucky since 1989," explained Burton. "I work mostly with middle school students, but I do work with some 5th and 6th grade students around Johnson County. In addition, I coach Academics at Johnson County Middle School."

Mrs. Burton says she is very proud of the accomplishments of her Academic teams over the years. "We have won eight Governor's Cup titles, and that's a big trophy. We also have three second place and a couple of third place finishes. Our kids have surpassed all expectations of everyone!"

In addition to all of her academic responsibilities, Mrs. Burton also finds time to be involved with Sunrise Children's Services. She works with law enforcement to provide needed supplies such as blankets and stuffed animals to children when, unfortunately, they must be removed from their homes. Officers carry these donated items in their cruisers for those moments when children could use some comfort.

And, Mrs. Burton offered one last lesson about life, which is, "...not to give up. Do not let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Dig deep, dream big and work hard. Because hard work and persistence can overcome any obstacle."

Congratulations, Pam Burton, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

7-Year Old Hero

Unlike most Billy Johnson Community Heroes, you probably won't recognize this hero's name. She isn't a local business leader or a prominent community member. She is seven year old Ella Hoehner from Shelby County, whose aunt lost her home to the powerful Salyersville tornado on March 2nd. After hearing her mother talking to someone on the phone about her aunt Melody Conley's situation, Ella went to her room and came back with a jar full of money. This was money she was saving to go to "horse camp"...$42 dollars to be exact. And, she told her mother, Beth, that she wanted to send the money to her Aunt Melody. Beth explained, "I know $42 dollars isn't a lot, but when it is everything you have and you immediately hand it over with no questions or second thoughts, it really makes everyone step back and think. People need to think, 'Wait a minute. Everything I can do, no matter how small or how big...it IS going to make a difference.'"

So, 7-year old Ella sat down and wrote her Aunt Melody a letter, and then mailed it along with the money. "I put $42 dollars in the envelope along with the note. I hope she will be able to get another house. I know she needs to have a house more than I needed to go to horse camp," explained Ella.

Ella's Aunt Melody says she has been moved by the way the entire region has helped those affected by the tornadoes, but she says she has been forever changed by the unselfishness of a single child. "My sister had called and said that her granddaughter and my neice, Ella wanted to send me a letter. I was over here at the house trying to pick up and trying to clean up when my sister and my mom brought the letter to me here in Salyersville. When I started reading the letter, she said she was sorry I had lost my home, but she was glad I was alive. And, I will never forget what she has done."

Congratulations, Ella Hoehner, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Staff Sgt. Donna Smith, Community Hero

This week's Billy Johnson Community Hero is Staff Sergeant Donna Smith with the West Virginia National Guard. She was raised in Vulcan, West Virginia and graduated from Matewan High School. And, unlike many female graduates, Donna signed up for active duty in the United States Army right out of high school. After serving three years, she returned home to West Virginia where she raised a family. In recent years, however, she re-enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard, and with her two daughters still in high school, she was deployed to Iraq.

We hear stories every day about the horrible conditions there, and about how the people of Iraq are suffering. However, Staff Sgt. Smith noticed another group of people who needed attention...her own troops! "It would break my heart to see when mail time came that they would stand there and get nothing. I saw these people not receiving things, so I called some churches back home and I called some schools. I got all kinds of things together. What I did was make up a list and put everybody's name on it, and I emailed it to these places," explained Smith. "And what they did was send personal letters to them. So, now the people who were not getting anything were getting Christmas gifts, and that thrilled me! They would say, 'I don't even know this person.'"

Even after she returned home, where she works now as a recruiter for the West Virginia National Guard, Staff Sgt. Smith still works to make sure soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan receive care packages and letters. And even though she was away from her family for a year and missed her oldest daughter's high school graduation, she says if her country needed her to go back, she would go. "If they told me right now that I had to go back, I would do it again!" said Smith. "I know my girls have so much more respect for me now that I did it."

Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Donna Smith with the West Virginia National Guard, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Pikeville & Pike County Central High School Basketball Programs Chosen as Community Heroes

The Billy Johnson Community Hero for the second week of February, 2012 is actually a group of heroes joining together this weekend to fight breast cancer. And the heroes we are referring to are both the girls' and boys' basketball programs from Pikeville High School and Pike County Central High School. The "Play 4 Kay" event will be held on Saturday, February 11th beginning at 4pm at Pikeville High School, and is actually a series of four basketball games between the two schools. What makes this event special is that a portion of the proceeds from the gate will be donated to the "Kay Yow Cancer Fund". Kay Yow was the head girls' basketball coach at NC State, who died after a battle with breast cancer in 2009. Since her death, hundreds of "Play 4 Kay" events have been held across the country, at first mainly at college events, but now in high schools.

The Pikeville "Play 4 Kay" event organizer is Pikeville's girls' basketball coach, Cindy Stuart, who truly feels like they can make a difference through events like these. "These events are trickling down to a lot of High Schools and involving more sports such as running, golf and volleyball. I refereed a couple of volleyball games back in the fall where schools were doing "pink" games in October," explained Stuart. "You know, I'm getting to the age in my mid 40's where I'm starting to have a lot of friends who are fighting the fight. A lot of mothers of kids I know and mothers of my former players are battling breast cancer. As my friends and my age group are aging, I am starting to see breast cancer a lot more."

Ticket prices for the event are $2.00 for students and $5.00 for adults. Last year's event rasied $1,700, and Stuart is hoping for even more this year. Congratulations to both the girls' and boys' basketball programs at Pikeville and Pike Central High Schools...the Billy Johnson Community Heroes for the second week of February, 2012.

Captain John McMahan (KSP), Community Hero

The Billy Johnson Community Hero for the first week of February, 2012 is Captain John McMahan of the Kentucky State Police, who is the current Post Commander of Post 9 in Pikeville. Many people know Capexistt. McMahan, and know he is in his 19th year in the State Police. However, many people have no idea he just returned from serving a year in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. Capt. McMahan says spending a year in Iraq and seeing the living conditions there made him appreciate things that we take for granted. "You hear people talk about it, but when you go over there you see a lot of poverty. It is heartbreaking actually to see the children over there with no shoes on. They're literally wearing rags around. And, running water is just impossible...they don't have it over there. All the luxuries we take for granted like power, plumbing and a good place to live...just don't exist," explained Capt. McMahan.

Even though he knew he was taking the chance of never coming home, Capt. McMahan knew he had valuable experience to offer to his country. "I had a unique perspective because of my age and because of my experience in policing. I'm an MP in the military world. I felt I could bring something to the table that your average kid coming out of college as a Leutenant could not bring. That's why I felt like it was a calling. I felt like I could be used better by doing that."

Captain John McMahan's courage and heartfelt desire to serve his country is witnessed by everyone who knows him. And, he says it was very hard to explain to his family that he was doing what he truly feels that he was called to do. "That's what it was...a calling. And that is hard to explain to your family. They are looking at you and saying, 'Wow. You're over 40 years old now. You waited a long time to do this.' I had to explain it to my wife and children. I sat them down before I left and said that this was something I felt I had to do."

Congratulations Captain John McMahan, the Billy Johnson Community Hero for the first week of February, 2012.

Shelby Valley : January, 2012 Heroes

The Billy Johnson Community Hero for January, 2012 is the Shelby Valley Wildcats. On December 15, 2011, Riverside Christian School boys basketball team traveled to Shelby Valley for a game. The team didn't have a cheerleading squad or many fans to cheer the small team on. And, this did not go unnoticed by the Shelby Valley cheerleaders, who approached Principal Greg Napier and asked if they could divide their squad and half of them cheer for Riverside. "I am extremely proud of my students who went out of their way to make a team from outside our region feel at home, and give them something to feel good about in terms of the sport itself," explained Napier. "It was simply a game, and that night, they got to enjoy the game."

In fact, the cheerleaders weren't the only ones who were cheering for Riverside. Once the cheerleaders went to the other side, nearly half the fans followed them. A $500 dollar check was presented to Principal Napier and the students on behalf of Billy Johnson and the Johnson Law Firm. Congratulations Shelby Valley, the January 2012 Billy Johnson Community Hero!

Billy Johnson Community Heroes

We all know someone who has gone out of his/her way to help someone in need, whether it was a random act of kindness that happened once or something that occurs on a regular basis. Billy Johnson of the Johnson Law Firm is making it a point this year to seek these people out and recognize their efforts. Each Friday at noon on all East Kentucky Broadcasting stations, we will recognize a "Billy Johnson Community Hero," and tell his/her story. Out of the weekly heroes, we will select a monthly Community Hero who will receive a check for $500 dollars...Billy's way of saying, "Thank You."