"Lend A Hand & Change Lives"

The Helping Movement

The Helping Movement is continuing to gain momentum and is proving to be an effective and easy to use resource for people in need as well as providing volunteers a unique opportunity to help their community on an individual basis.

Just recently a local Ithaca resident, Helen, was given until the end of March to remove all of her collected life belongings from her basement or her landlord would have been forced to dispose of the items due to fire code issues. These items meant the world to Helen and to lose any of them would have been devastating.

After extensive searching for a place to store her belongings she was able to secure an affordable storage unit; but her next challenge was moving a completely full basement across town without access to a truck or manpower.

Helen contacted the Helping Movement and explained her dilemma. The Helping Movement was able to recruit six volunteers, including myself, and one truck to move her belongings the morning of March 29th. We arrived at 9:30am and the smile on Helen’s face was amazing.

She was so taken back by the amount of support total strangers were willing to give her without asking for anything in return. The entire move took only about five hours, but the experience will be remembered for a lifetime.

Anyone can be a hero,just do things from the heart

What Makes a Hero?

You don't need a red cape or a secret cave to be a super hero. Instead, you can be a hero just by the selfless, authentic, and moral qualities you project onto others. Heroes pursue justice without discriminating against who they help. As we think of the year that's now ending, it's a time to think of the everyday heroes who've touched our lives in the past 12 months. Here at Beliefnet, we name an annual Most Inspiring Person of the Year and CNN airs its own tribute to this year's heroes. So we asked you what makes a true hero, and what follows are some of the best answers you gave. Get started: "A hero is someone who..."

Strives to Make a Difference

I look for people who are motivated to create positive change in a loving, non-violent, and selfless way. These people strive to make a difference, whether they get anything out of it or not.

Champions for Good

A die-hard passion to do good for people.

Puts Another Person's Life First

There are so many different kinds of inspiring people, but when a person puts someone else's life above his or her own, to me that's the ultimate inspiring act.

Goes Above and Beyond

A hero is someone who cares enough to do what needs to be done without caring what other people may say or think, or if there may be danger. [A hero also goes] above and beyond, doesn't turn his head because it would be easier or convenient, and answers calls for help always.

Knows What's Right and Wrong

A hero is someone who is "idolized" by others for their openness, honesty, and humility--a hero is defined by actions that are rooted in a strong moral center. A hero knows what's right and what's wrong, but even when he doesn't, he is still capable of correcting his mistakes.

Helps for the Sake of Helping

I'd say completely removing yourself from the equation and helping only for the sake of helping is the definition of a hero to me.

Gives Without Selfish Motives

I look for someone who inspires and shows remarkable compassion for others--giving selflessly of themselves.