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!