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One of the greatest gifts a volunteer can give is not just a dollar, a lesson, or a bit of their time, but a new feeling or confidence in the person they are helping. Gloria Owczarski’s Day of Beauty does this by beauty treatments to kids with special needs. Using her own experience with the special needs population as inspiration, she has inspired others to do the same. Growing up with a sister with Down Syndrome, Gloria has always had an interest in the welfare of the special needs population. Already a swim couch for the Special Olympics, Gloria decided she could do more.

Carly and Molly Houlahan have learned how to overcome problems and use their tribulations to inspire change with their honey selling business Hive for Lives.  After experiencing the loss of their grandfather to esophageal cancer at young ages, Carly and Molly Houlahan, at the ages of 9 and 11, started a honey company where profits go to the research of cancer cures.

The debate about healthcare is on everyone’s tongue these days. However, Jack McConnell, decided to give me than lip service, and took a hands on approach to help his fellow Americans without health insurance, and gave a new sense of purpose to his fellow retired medical professionals. After retiring, Dr. McConnell moved to Hilton Head, SC to relax and enjoy a couple rounds of golf. He would often offer rides to “locals” walking to and from work as landscapers, construction workers, and restaurant servers.

Priya Sathaye volunteers with the Sunday Friends Program and has been serving with them since August of 2006. Sunday Friendsis a nonprofit organization tht runs programs for low-income families in San Jose, California. She taught piano lessons to children, led art projects and played a key role in the program's "shopping" operations. Priya was quickly recognized as a star volunteer with leadership qualities, so she was invited to serve on the Sunday Friends Volunteer Leader Team.

Laura Wysocki broke her elbow playing soccer and noticed an ad in the paper for volunteers. The program assigns Special Needs students with a "buddy" for one-on-one instruction in the rules of the game of soccer and the spirit of teamwork. Being a buddy to little Gordon is an eye opener for Laura. Born with Down Syndrome and a weak heart, Gordon has undergone two heart surgeries. Gordon does not know anything about soccer, is reluctant to play, and is notorious for running of the field every opportunity he can. After several weeks of cajoling, Gordon attempts to dribble the ball!