Giraffe Heroes Database
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Darcee O'Hearn of Chilliwack BC was a kayaking Olympic hopeful until she hit a rock and plummeted over a waterfall, breaking three vertebrae in her neck. Months in the hospital helped her recover, and introduced her to people with similar injuries who remained paralyzed. While still on the mend herself, O'Hearn did a solo bicycle tour across Canada, raising money and awareness about spinal injuries.
Home when commended: North America, Canada, British Columbia Home now: North America, Canada, British Columbia Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Pamela O'Kell of Titusville FL endured harassment and intimidation while fighting a private aerospace company that was handling highly dangerous hypergolic fuel in her neighborhood. O'Kell's diligent work led to a city council ban on further use of the fuels within the town limits.
Home when commended: North America, US, Florida Home now: North America, US, Florida Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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After growing up in the foster care system, Heather O'Neil of Highland NJ has devoted her life to being a voice for kids who are still in the system. O'Neil devotes half the money she earns to helping these kids, including assisting 16-18 year olds in learning the skills they need so they don't graduate from the foster care system into the welfare system.
Home when commended: North America, US, New Jersey Home now: North America, US, New Jersey Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Debbie Oakley of Kennesaw GA was working in a school lunchroom when troubled kids started seeking her out as friend and counselor. So many came that they couldn't fit in the kitchen; the kids followed her home, where Oakley provides bed, board, and/or sound advice, 24 hours a day, turning no kid away.
Home when commended: North America, US, Georgia Home now: North America, US, Georgia Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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When Gordon Oliver was elected mayor of Cape Town, South Africa, he filed a formal complaint against the city's police for their brutal treatment of anti-apartheid demonstrators. Despite protests from the city council, Oliver then joined with Desmond Tutu and Alan Boesak to lead 40,000 Capetowners in a peaceful multiracial protest against police brutality.
Home when commended: Africa, South Africa Home now: Africa, South Africa Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Karen Olson of Summit NJ began giving food to the homeless in New York City's main bus terminal as she passed through on her way to work. Concern for the poor became more important to her than her job; she became full-time director of a program for the homeless.
Home when commended: North America, US, New Jersey Home now: North America, US, New Jersey Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Don Oman of Twin Falls ID, a veteran forest ranger, refused to ignore federal grazing regulations that protect publicly owned lands, despite death threats from angry ranchers and their pressure on the US Forest Service to transfer him. Oman fought back, an order to transfer him was withdrawn, and the USFS tightened up enforcement of grazing regulations.
Home when commended: North America, US, Idaho Home now: North America, US, Idaho Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Theresa Orzechowski of Newburgh NY took homeless people into her own trailer, then opened two large shelters. Despite many setbacks and a lot of resistance from local government, she continued to search dangerous streets, bringing the homeless into her shelters.
Home when commended: North America, US, New York Home now: North America, US, New York Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Eliot Osborn and Louise Lindenmeyr of New York NY founded "Project Troubador,” a diverse group of musicians, dancers and clowns who perform free in Third World hospitals, orphanages, schools, refugee camps, leper colonies and shanty towns.
Home when commended: North America, US, New York Home now: North America, US, Connecticut Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Please note
We're adding stories and photos to the Giraffe Heroes database everyday. If information isn't visible yet, know that we're working on it.
YOU & THE FOUNDER
From time to time, Ann Medlock, this Project's founder, does a brief but inspiring email called Heads Up. You can check out past copies here. They're so good (and so free) we bet you'll join the Heads Up circle and send them on to friends & family.
For further wit & wisdom from Ann, check out her speeches, radio commentaries and OpEds.
