The Very Rev. Paul Carlson told Rauh that if she wanted to feed the hungry, then there’s no place like home to start. Carlson was the pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church, where Rauh is an active member, and people in need regularly knocked on the door seeking food donations.
We hope the stories in this special edition serve as a reminder that heroism doesn’t have to be extraordinary to matter.
Susan Tyrrell’s teacher voice still is loud and clear when she’s working with fifth grade students at Teen Turf in Amboy.
When people comment to Beth Saffell about what the Jefferson/Lincoln PTO is doing or not doing, Saffell sees an opportunity.
Jennifer Mobley, co-founder of “Big Hearts of Fox Valley” with her husband Minor, said she’s witnessed first-hand the power of a community coming together. Her nonprofit unites the police and fire department, schools and volunteers to help St. Charles D303 students in need.
When Roger Wittenauer sat down to chat with firefighters from the Amboy and Sublette fire departments at an Amboy Fire Department Depot Days breakfast a few years ago, he mentioned he missed the fire service.
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
She leads her business with compassion, always putting her employees first and creating a supportive environment.
At any hour and in any weather, two retired firefighters dedicate themselves to assisting fire departments in emergency calls across McHenry County by keeping bellies full and hearts warm.
Barb Neises learned how to volunteer from her mom and has taken on projects for the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation since.
How Shirley Kiss’ phone tree grew into countywide lifeline providing thousands of services each year
We Care of Grundy County has been the place to turn to for those in need in Grundy County since 1979, but it got its start as a phone tree.
If the thousands of animals that have spent time at the Tails Humane Society animal shelter in DeKalb could talk, they’d surely say Nancy Rigler is among their heroes. Rigler, 77, of DeKalb, has been a Tails volunteer for half a century.
As the librarian at Cortland Elementary School, Leslie Leahy said she’s put a lot of effort into ensuring the library can be a welcoming environment for all. “I wanted this to be the center of the school,” she said.
Rochelle's Sarah Flanagan volunteers for numerous local causes, including the Hub City Senior Center, the Rochelle Rotary Club and the Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system.
Along with owning two businesses in Oswego, Kelley Rice is also involved in several Oswego organizations.
For more than 50 years, educators have taught generations of Yorkville middle school students to put their best foot forward in the annual Square Dance Jubilee.
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