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Our Selected Heroes

Congratulations to the individuals below for being chosen by our panel of sponsors as each month's Highlighted Hero! We salute each and every one of you for being caring people of integrity who make a difference in the lives of those in your community.

Status

Winner

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Kathleen "KT" Aull
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	KT is my shero. She exemplifies what being a public servant is, what giving back to your community looks like, and what showing love and mercy for all means. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army who currently works at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Savannah. She was recognized by the clinic during the grand opening of the new facility for her selfless dedication to our local veterans. Also in relation to veterans, she has participated in the Silkie Warrior Hike, multiple motorcycle rides for veterans, and escorted local veterans to Washington DC to visit the war memorials. She is also an active member of VFW Post 660. In addition to supporting our veterans, KT is an active member at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church where she is a Sunday school teacher, a leader of various biblical studies, and a supporter of the church's LGBT community. However, THE MOST heroic thing about KT is that she does all of this with great humility. She is truly one of the most humble and kind people you will ever meet working everyday to make Savannah a better community to live in. KT Aull is an everyday hero living among us in the city of Savannah.
City:	Savannah

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Anekia Boatwright Mcghee
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	Anekia Boatwright Mcghee is the embodiment of service to the community. For over 17 years she has serviced savannah through empowering youth with her dance studio Rebecca Padgett School of Performing Arts. Her students adore her and the parents affectionately call her the child whisperer. She has created a safe haven for her students by offering services that they love including a learning lab, and just recently a school where Excellent Minds are celebrated through learning, called EMPREP. Many times Ms Anekia and her staff are the first ones there and the last to leave. Children are cherished and encouraged to be whatever they put their minds too. Anekia continues to serve by giving kindness and love to her students, parents and the community. It truly takes a village to raise a child!

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Jay Amarillo
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	This Hero has given 16 years active duty as a helicopter pilot. As well as serving in the Florida guard and working with the DEA. He is one to make everyone laugh, while carrying a smile for himself. He came very close to death in June 2012 from a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. With that he still decides to put all before himself. He has overcome so much in his career and life that he is a true hero. He is so compassionate and loyal to his duties as a military member, husband, and Father he deserves this “Hero” surprise. His family loves him and supports anything he decides.

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Dr. Frank Lala
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	Dr. Frank Lala, Deaf, received his B.A. degree in Community Health Education, M.Ed.in Deaf Education, a Ph.D. in Health and Human Services and a certification in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling from UCLA. As a key speaker he lectures on addictive disorders and has authored many publications in the field of deafness, a poem "A Credo for Deaf Americans" along with his published book, "Counseling the Deaf Substance Abuser". He received Commendation Plaque from Governor Deal and Proclamation from Savannah Mayor Jackson in recognition for his statewide efforts to promote awareness of deaf citizens’ rights to equal accessibility and accommodation. He was President of Georgia Association of the Deaf. He is Sir Knight of Knights of Columbus. He received his black belts in tang soo do karate and ju-jitsu. Karate instructor was Chief Instructor Ron Pohnel at Chuck Norris' Sherman Oaks Karate Studio. He was featured in Black Belt magazine. He was instrumental in having the International Martial Arts Federation of the Deaf accepted as a member of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf for Deaflympics. He was awarded the William F. Callahan Award for his sustained and meritorious service at the national level to the professional of addiction counseling by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. He was the Director/Clinical Supervisor of a Deaf Recovery program. He is currently working for Georgia Department of Human Services as Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. He received WTOC & McDonald’s Home Town Hero. Recently he received Master 5th Dan Black Belt July 6, 2018 - Orlando, Florida at U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships from 9th Dan Black Belt Instructor Rev. Ron Pohnel. 5th - Master Level "Considered equivalent to a PhD. or Professorship"

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Bonnie Rachael
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	Bonnie started Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center in 2006 in her backyard after looking for a way to give back to her community. The organization which serves over 125 individuals yearly, now provides riding lessons for children with disabilities and works with local schools. Riding horses provides children with physical, mental, emotional and social benefits and helps them to gain confidence. Bonnie has invested heart and soul into this organization in order to bring hope and healing to this population. Bonnie has big dreams and plans and sees potential before most other people can. Just like the name of the organization, she is driven by her faith, which causes her to step out of her comfort zone so she can be a blessing to more people in the community. Bonnie is incredibly compassionate and wants this facility to be a place that individuals with disabilities can call their own, a place where no one feels left out because of a challenge they face. She is truly a hero!

Hero of the Month



Name of Hero:	Bill Sorochak
Tell us about what makes this person a Hero?:	For the family of a hospitalized child, it will be the most important House they will ever visit. The Ronald McDonald House in Savannah, Georgia helps families of seriously ill, hospitalized children cope with the stress and expense of daily living while trying to be close and emotionally strong for their child. For over 14 years Bill has been leading the fight to take care of these Children and Families- from providing a shoulder to lean on to fundraising, so families can have a "Home Away From Home" during the most trying times of their lives. You won't find a more passionate person about Children, Families and the Mission of the Ronald McDonald House anywhere. He does more than anyone can imagine for the Coastal Empire Community, and should be your first choice for this honor. Thank you for listening.

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