SHARE YOUR
POWER OF ONE
STORY
Who is a hero in your eyes?

Tracey I read a story about a college football player who spent his Thanksgiving with a terminally ill child... [more]

Michael A couple times during the week, I volunteer at hospice... [more]

April Yesterday, I was walking through the grocery store and accidentally... [more]

Do you know someone that exemplifies the Power of One? We will be accepting nominations for the 2014 Power of One Award in fall 2013.

THE POWER OF ONE AWARDS
We are pleased to announce Katherine Chon as the recipient of our 2013 Power of One Award. As co-founder of Polaris Project, Katherine exemplifies the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of many.

Polaris Project is dedicated to ending human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and combines its work on the frontlines serving victims of human trafficking with crafting long-term solutions that create systemic and social change. Click here to learn more about Katherine Chon and her work with  Polaris Project.

Thank you to all of our incredible nominees for the 2013 Power of One Award. We were truly inspired by your courageous missions.

Tracey During Thanksgiving break, I read a story about a college football player who spent his Thanksgiving with a terminally ill child at a hospital. It was really inspiring, considering he wasn’t even related to the child. It sounded like the child’s life was really impacted by the football player and his compassion. This just shows that it only takes one person to make a difference.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Michael A couple times during the week, I volunteer at hospice. Spending time with my current patient, Hallie, has helped me realize what’s important and has changed my outlook on my future. I am thankful for Hallie and the time I get to spend with her. She’s changed my life.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

April Yesterday, I was walking through the grocery store and accidentally knocked over a display of canned foods. I was picking them up when an older man bent down to help me. His jacket had a pin on it that read, “Support the Vets.” I decided to ask him about it, and he started talking to me about his time with the US military. As he was sharing his story, I realized that all WWII veterans should be celebrated for their courage.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Sandy A couple of days ago, I took a trip to the museum and learned a lot of things about the Holocaust that I hadn’t previously known. One of the most interesting stories that I read was Chiune Sugihara’s story. Learning about how Sugihara helped Lithuanian Jews was truly remarkable. A lot of people would not be here today if it weren’t for him. He is a true hero of the Holocaust.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

David A few months ago, my friend's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an effort to increase breast cancer awareness and raise some money for the breast cancer wing of her hospital, some of my friends and I decided to put on a swimming fundraiser. We ended up raising over 3,000 dollars for the hospital! Because it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge her. She is a true inspiration.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Samantha The Northwestern University softball team, on which I play, has "adopted" a teammate through the Friends with Jacqueline program. Her name is Katie and she is battling cancer. Yet, you would never know it just by interacting with Katie. She has the brightest spirit, such passion for softball and life, and brings joy to our team. Her constant fight with her illness inspires me and the rest of the team to be our best selves and to appreciate even the smallest things in life. Katie is our team's hero.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Marisa Bast During WWII, my grandparents and their families were sent to internment camps because of their Japanese heritage. After hearing about how they were forced to share a room with a multitude of other people and overcome large amounts of adversity (sickness, lack of food, cold temperatures), I realized that their strength has directly impacted me as a young individual. No other family shares this exact story and their stories must never be forgotten. My grandparents and their families are true heroes.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Emily This past summer, one of my best friends was able to travel to a third world country and teach English to a classroom full of young children. She entered the country, which was and still is in turmoil, with an open heart, giving soul, and passion to teach. She touched the lives of so many while she was over there and brought back a plethora of stories to share with me. She really is a hero, and the work she completed is something really, really special.-Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Matt I was running in Busse Woods last weekend and it was very crowded. In front of me was an older man about my grandpa’s age. A group of teenagers cut him off on one of the turns on the trail, and he fell with his bike falling on top of him. As I continued to run, I watched as people passed him, pretending like they didn’t see him. I decided to stop and make sure he was okay, and asked if he wanted me to call for someone to come and pick him up. He was very grateful for my help, continuously saying thank you, because he didn’t have a cell phone. I realized then that it is important to help other people when no one else will. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Angelica I was being bullied in dance class, and I finally had the guts to stand up, and tell them to stop. I then realized that it's up to you to determine your future. I am pledging to start today; when will you? -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Kevin During the evening rush hour on a CTA bus an elderly woman got out of her seat to allow a pregnant woman with her child to have a seat. I knew that although I was utterly exhausted that I should give up my seat to my elder standing near me. Who knows he might have had a harder day than me, either way he was happy and I was pleased that I did the right thing. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Marissa My neighbor saw me shoveling old school style with my shovel. He told me I was going to hurt my back and that I should take a break and he will come through with his snow blower. Well, wouldn’t you know I saw my other neighbor shoveling that same guy’s driveway the next day and I ran over to help him. He really is such a nice guy. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Troy My friends and I were approached by a homeless man asking for spare change for food. My buddy had just bought a sandwich and asked him if he wanted it. He obliged, seeing that he had no drink to wash the sandwich down we went to a near by 7-Eleven and bought him water and chips. Seeing my friend, so willingly give up his sandwich inspired me to do my part in making someone’s life a little better. I try to be conscience of that in my daily life. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Georgia I work in retail and during the holidays it was complete madness. My co-worker gave the entire team stress balls with personal notes on why we rock. It made a hectic often overwhelming time much more manageable and fun. We often played catch during our breaks. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Eva Kor At the age of 10, my twin sister and I were ripped apart from our family and never saw them again. Miriam, my twin sister and I were used in a variety of deadly experiments by Dr. Josef Mengele, the Angel of Death. After liberation on January 27, 1945, we have spent months in refugee camps and returned home to find nothing but three cruppled pictures on a bedroom floor. After 5 years in Communist Rumania we arrived in Israel in June 1950, and for the first time in my 16 years of life i slept without the fear of persecution, and death. I served 8 years in the Israeli Army reaching the rank of sargeant major. In 1960 I married an American tourist, Michel Kor, also a Holocaust survivor. In 1995 I went back to Auschwitz this time in the company of a former Nazi doctor from Auschwitz because he knew how the gas chambers operated, and I asked him to sign a document describing the operation of the gas chambers, at the ruin off the gas chambers, and I gave him my letter of forgiveness, forgiving every body including Dr. Mengele. Most people do not understand my forgiveness, and they say that the Nazis do not deserve forgiveness-that is true but I and all the victims in the world deserve to live free from the pain imposed on us. Forgiveness to me means; healing, liberation, self empowerment, and making the broken whole again. Anger is a seed for war. Forgiveness is a seed for peace. I would like to teach the world to heal from all the pain of the past. each person has to do it for herself and himself. I receive thousands of emails thanking me for helping them understand the power they have to heal themselves. Most of these are abuse victims who thanked me for helping them rise above ther pain, and reclaim their lives. Forgiveness is free everyone can afford it and it works. Forgiveness has nothing to do with any religion, it has a lot more to do that each victim need to be healed. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Natalie I was so moved by the college student's fiery rescue of the motorcyclist in Utah that I enrolled in a CPR and First Aid class the very next day. I want to have the tools to be of assistance to someone if an emergency should occur. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Olivia My friend has made it an annual tradition to celebrate her birthday by volunteering her time at a local homeless shelter. She invited a few of us to help serve food two years ago. This year nearly twenty family and friends joined us. She is a gleaming example of the power of one and I look forward to joining more people next year. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Jared I am a high school student that attended last week's student leadership day event at the museum. I heard Emmanuel Habimana, a child survivor of the Rwandan genocide, say the following quote: "A garden with one color is boring, but with many colors it becomes exciting. Make earth our garden.” This powerful quote sums up the entire day and experience for me during the Holocaust museum’s leadership day. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Sarah I learned the Power of One at the recent teacher training on Japanese American internment camps, where each individual found courage through the art of gaman, bearing the seemingly unbearable with patience. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Susan I attended the Anti-Bullying Forum at the museum and saw the Power of One. As teachers and administrators, we do have the power to change lives! -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Adam I witnessed the power of one in the strangest place…at the post office yesterday. A woman was freaking out because she did not know how to wrap the package she was sending to her aging father. While a lot of people looked away, another woman stepped out of her place in line and helped wrap the package, all the while connecting with the woman about her own aging parents. We are truly all connected. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Rocco I went to the museum on a field trip. I heard a survivor of the holocaust speak. I will never forget him and I will try to help others. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Miss Becca I volunteer at a food pantry in my neighborhood. I guess you could say that my power of one is helping those in need. But I really feel that when I leave the pantry, I am enriched by my time there. -Share on Facebook Share on Twitter