While climbing the corporate ladder as a marketing specialist, Genevieve always knew there was something more fulfilling she could do.  She believed there was another purpose to her life.

Genevieve is the founder of the Pajama Program.  The program provides new, warm pajamas and books to needy children across the globe including countries such as Iraq, Bosnia, South Africa and Brazil, many of whom are waiting and hoping to be adopted.

After seven years in existence, The Pajama Program now has fifty-one chapters across the United States – all run by volunteer chapter presidents.

“It was three years before I got paid anything” she states.  What helped her get by was the fact she lived a simple lifestyle.

Susan and Brad were blessed with two wonderful daughters.   A few years after the birth of their second daughter Kirby, they began to notice something unusual about her physical appearance, and as any parent would, they wanted to know what was happening.  Kirby was diagnosed with Sanfilippo B Syndrome, a neuro-genetic disease that affects a child’s ability to live a normal life, resulting in a loss of the ability to walk, speak and move.  There is no cure for Sanfilippo.  Doctors can do nothing to stop the regression and very little to contain the symptoms.  The average life expectancy for children with the disease is between 10 and 15 years.

Susan and Brad refused to let their daughter die simply because of a lack of funding.  As a result they formed the Children’s Medical Research Foundation to help raise funds.  Since its existence 11 years ago, Susan and Brad have raised over 2.7 million dollars.

The Wilsons have inspired parents who have children affected with the illness to join in the fight to eradicate the disease. Susan’s advice to other parents who have children with debilitating diseases is “never doubt your own feelings towards what your child can and cannot do.  You are the only true advocate for your child.  Enjoy them, celebrate their life; celebrate their abilities and don’t look at their disabilities.”     http://www.curekirby.org

Emanuel Yarbrough (also known as Tiny) holds a World Guinness Record as the world’s heaviest living athlete. 

For over 20 years, he has been involved in athletics, including football, wrestling, judo, mixed martial arts and Sumo wrestling.

He initiated the Sumo Kids Foundation program in schools in Buffalo, New York, which teaches kids about discipline and sports.  The program is aimed at troubled youth, to keep them off the streets and away from violence.  It teaches them to stay motivated, to remain focused and realize their potential.  

Emanuel’s goal is to inform and inspire youth concerning the importance of remaining active and healthy and maintaining a positive attitude about life.  “Sumo wrestling is a sport for larger athletes, but you still have to train and be prepared to compete”.  His ultimate goal is not to teach them to become Sumo Wrestlers but to inspire them to realize their potential to accomplish their dreams.

He urges young people to stay focused on living healthy lifestyles.  “I learned later in life there is so much in this world to see and to do,” and if these young kids can jump in now and not let things like this impede them, the earlier they start the more things they have to look forward to.”  Start by taking small steps to change bad habits and keep active, is his advice.

Bill Larson’s career as a communicator, broadcast journalist, and writer can be an inspiration to anyone who wants to work in the field of journalism.

He had the uncanny ability to bring news to his audience in such a way that allowed them to feel the emotion through his words.

He was recognized for the award-winning documentary he wrote and narrated: “John Glen Recalls the Flight Friendship 7.” 

With news being his first love and passion, he remembers a few highlights during his illustrious career.  “They’re not all happy highlights,” he recalls.  He remembers being one of the first journalists to report the Apollo One fire in 1967.  Covering the moon landing was also an emotional experience for him.  He vividly remembers reporting from the Apollo 14 and covering the second inauguration of President Nixon.

His advice to today’s anchors and reporters; “If you have a specialty, be the best that you can within that area; it will help set you apart.”  Bill attributes his longevity in the broadcast industry to mutual respect, honesty and ethics.