Pastor Dennis Davies

FISH CARES Local Hero: Pastor Dennis Davies

Pastor Dennis was nominated by Tiffany DeBois, "I would like to tell you about my father, Dennis Davies.  He has so much experience as a hero I am not quite sure where to start.  He voluntarily enlisted in the Army to serve during Vietnam where he became a Green Baret.  After that he began an over 30 year career with the LA County Fire Department where he eventually retired as a Captain.  After retiring he immediately went to semenary where he graduated with honors.  He is now on the pastoral staff at our church where he has come alongside many young men who want to become amazing Godly men but do not know how because they did not have Godly examples in their lives.  Every Wednesday he spends hours with a gentlemen at our church who is in his 90's that is mostly alone.  He has been doing this for almost 10 years and is absolutely treasured in that mans life.  My dad was an absolute "hero" of a father growing up, he always had time for us and whatever problem we were having. He worked long hours to provide for our needs. He loves and has loved our mother very much, and mostly importantly he has always strived to have a Godly walk and be an example of Christ's love to the world.  I vividly remember the pride I felt each time he taught at our church's AWANA counciltime  all the children how to put on the "Full Armor of Chirst" in our lives.  He has touched many hearts and won many for the Lord.  As if this all is not enough already, the reason I am nominating him is for his latest heroic deeds.  Almost 2 years ago my mother, and his wife of over 33 years was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and eventually brain cancer.  He has been there through every moment caring for her and being the hero that she needs right now to lean and rely on to get through these most trying times.  In my eyes, and many more peoples eyes, there is no more heroic man than him, and I could not be more proud to call him dad.  When I think about the blessing I was given as a father here on earth and know that our Father in Heaven loves us even more, I am truly in awe.

Thank you for the opportunity to nominate my hero!"

Nicola Weiss

FISH CARES Local Hero:  Nicola Weiss

Nicola was nominated by Hanne Koerber, "She raised $15,000 to help pay for Medical bills of her son's best friend who is fighting cancer.  She is the mother of 5 children ages 10, 8,8,8, 7 and she coaches 2 soccer teams, serves on the PTA, The Educational Foundation to save the hands on science and Music Program, is the Treasurer for the Scout Troop, Member of the Chamber Education Committee to name just a few.  She is a mom to her children there for them day in and day out, working in their classrooms, delivering lunches and raising them to be Christians.  She is a loving wife to her husband of 15 years.  I can't imagine a better hero to honor."

Jessica Joy Rees

FISH CARES Local Hero Feature: Jessica Joy Rees

Jessica was nominated by Jennifer Reed, "Jessica was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, but instead of sitting around feeling sorry for herself, she started the charity Joy Jars.  Joy Jars help to spread joy to other children laid up in the hospital, and are also sold that others may spread the joy by giving them to others.  http://www.joyjars.org/jj/  &  http://www.thenegufoundation.org/"

Melinda Sue Weiss

Fish Cares Local Hero feature: Melinda Sue Weiss

Melinda was nominated by Connie Giddens, who wrote, ""Miss Mindy" as her students have been calling her for 30 years is an amazing woman. Yes, she has been teaching and reaching young minds as a pre-school teacher for 30 years, starting out at the tender age of 19. She will have to tell you where she taught pre-school before coming to Holy Cross Lutheran Early Childhood Center in Cypress, CA because that is where I met her. You see, I was the School Secretary there for 21 years and when she was looking for a place for her own children to attend elementary school, I found out she was a pre-school teacher and soon after that she started at Holy Cross as a teacher. Then a few years later, became the Director of the pre-school, a position she still holds. Mindy has an infectious smile and laugh, even now after losing her husband - her soul-mate, Grafton, to sudden cardiac death in late Novemember 2008. She is an incredibly strong woman and although she misses him daily, is still able to convey the love of Jesus to her pre-school children and ultimately to their parents. Sometimes un-Christian parents come to know Jesus because of what Miss Mindy teaches the little ones at school. They in turn, bring it home, insisting on saying prayers at meal-times and bed-time. Many children come back over the years to visit Miss Mindy, even after going on to High School and College. It's always heart-warming for me to hear these 'kids' still call her "Miss Mindy."  I think Mindy would be so happy to be selected as the Local Hero because even though  she suffered a tremendous loss when her husband Grafton died suddenly, because of her Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, continues to do His work, and further His Kingdom by teaching the pre-school age children. Thank you for taking my request in to consideration."

Beth Sanden

FISH CARES Local Hero Beth Sanden

Beth was nominated by Kim White, who writes "Beth is a paraplegic athlete who is helping other people with physical challenges get out and exercise. She attributes all she can do to Christ. Her story in her words HERE"

Beth Saden on the Great Wall of China

Kim Barnette

FISH CARES Local Hero:  Kim Barnette

Kim was nominated by Ronda Gregory, who writes, "Kim is involved in many groups in the community.  She is trying to reach others and help through struggles while teaching them about Jesus Christ.  She serves on the Celebrate Recovery Team EVERY Friday night, Works w/ Kingdom Causes, helps at our church (Calvary Bellflower) and serves a nice breakfast and prays w/ the homeless EVERY Saturday. She does all this while being an AWESOME GOD LOVING Wife, mom, & friend."

Katie Whaley

"Katie created a community service based program called  "My Sweet 16 Year of Giving Back" as a way of giving back to her community to celebrate her 16th birthday.  During 2010 her goal was to volunteer for 16 different service organizations in the Southern California area.  She wanted to grow as a person, celebrate this significant event in a young girl's life and inspire other teens to give back to their community.  She completed her goal of volunteering for 16 organizations in 2010 and has continued the program in 2011 as "My Super 17 Year of Giving Back"!  She has been able to inspire other teens to get involved through the blog she created that chronicles her volunteering activities, as well as using social media as a way to communicate upcoming events to her friends.   She is proof positive that teens can help make the world a better place!  She inspires me every day with her giving spirit and generous soul."

Leon Williams

"Leon Williams, founder of The Mobile Closet, seeks out donations and distributes them to local homeless & needy. He built out a trailer into a mobile closet and goes out to local parks, events and outreaches to provide necessities to those in need. He has coordinated a relief trip to the tornado victims and leaves California on May 26th. Please check out the website of this two year old non-profit at www.TheMobileCloset.org for pictures and more information on Leon & The Mobile Closet."

Mobile Closet in Joplin, helping tornado victims

Leon Willams (left)