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Jack Darby, the longtime voice of Woodstock boys basketball and former freshman study hall monitor, remains active with the high school and is beloved by students and faculty alike. His generosity, sense of humor and support of WHS athletics is valued by all.
Shaw Local
Thank You, Everyday Heroes
A tribute to everyday heroes
Northwest Herald/Shaw Local News Network
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Tim Dempsey's job is to get kids in school, but in the process he sees a lot of families struggling to keep food on the table. “Could you look in a kid’s face that is hungry and tell them no? ... It is impossible," he said.
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Barb Neises learned how to volunteer from her mom and has taken on projects for the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation since.
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After a Cary woman started a free food pantry on her front porch, neighbors starting taking it upon themselves to help keep it stocked.
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New Directions Case Manager Joe Ledesma shares how he went from living in the organization's sober living facility to helping those who are in the same position he once was in.
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First responders at the scene get more of the credit and attention, but the dispatchers at agencies like SEECOM also play a crucial role in emergency response.
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A Crystal Lake boy has made it his personal mission to provide blankets to people who are homeless. He pitched his plan to his principal, and in the process got others at his school into giving.
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Meet Anthony Tortoriello of DeKalb: A local videographer, photographer and drone operator dedicated to sharing his creative vision.
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First responders at the scene get more of the credit and attention, but the dispatchers at agencies like SEECOM also play a crucial role in emergency response.
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A softball coach who shapes leaders. A principal who makes sure no kid goes cold. A mom who's also an EMT, a board member and a grad student. Meet more of DeKalb County's 2026 Everyday Heroes — nominated by the neighbors who see them shine
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Holly Eberle is a librarian, mentor, volunteer, advocate for people with mental illness, defender of intellectual freedom and more.
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McHenry County sisters-in-law give back to community with a prom dress resale that raises money for other charitable causes.
They don't wear capes. They drive through snowstorms, feed the homeless, and show up every single day for the people who need them most. Meet more 2026 Everyday Heroes in McHenry County — and the readers who wanted to say thank you