Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Austin

Austin is my hero. After he learned of Africa's fifteen million AIDS orphans through his family's sponsorship of two Ugandan children, he became determined to help on a larger scale. Austin spoke with the relief organization World Vision, and realized he could use his love of basketball to help address the problem. He decided to shoot free throws and ask people to sponsor him with donations. That first year, at the age of 10, Austin shot 2,057 free throws to benefit the 2,057 children that would be orphaned by AIDS during his school day. Every shot that went up represented a child. Austin raised $3,000 that day, and realized that by involving more kids, he could make an even bigger difference. He went out and recruited 1,000 kids to each shoot 1,000 free throws, and Hoops of Hope was born. Every December 1, on World AIDS day, thousands of kids across the U.S., Europe, and Australia shoot free throws to help Austin's cause. They have raised money to fund a school and an AIDS testing lab in Zambia, a country hit hard by the AIDS crisis. Austin is my hero because, as he says it best, 'You don't have to wait to be an adult to make a difference. Just pick your passion and do something!'

This story courtesy of www.barronprize.org

Story was submitted anonymously