5 Heroes Of VA: Love For Kids, Kindness Activist, Caring For Homeless

VIRGINIA — In times of hardship, the stalwarts and natural humanitarians often come out of the woodwork.

Many Virginia residents have endured immeasurable loss and struggles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state and the rest of the nation continue to heal, heroes of our communities have emerged.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. And we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding people.

Here are five heroes that have been identified by Patch readers that you shouldn’t miss:

1. Real Estate Agent Helps Children's Hospital Unit: Alexandria Hero

Linda Trinkle Wolf of Alexandria was recognized for her drive to raise money for improvements at the Children's Unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from more toys for ill children to an addition to the MRI machine which made it less scary for youngsters. "Linda’s efforts have improved the total patient medical experience though her determination to provide the children with the most current technological equipment offered to MRI patients in many public and private hospitals," wrote Catherine Jouet, who nominated Trinkle Wolf.

"Linda Wolf's greatest attribute is her focus and determination. When she sets her mind on a goal, you can bet she will achieve it. Whether helping Critically Ill Children of the Military with Mission:M4, fighting for the underdog through her work for OPH dog rescue or her work for Breast Cancer, her determination is never ending. Linda uses her passion and negotiating skills to win results. Her work is admired and respected by many."

2. Local Heroes: Santa's Helpers Make The Holidays Brighter In Woodbridge

Margaret Wheeler nominated Santa's Helpers Incorporated of Woodbridge, who work year-round to obtain donations for Toys for Tots. "They hold events to help get toy donations. They go to local stores and pay off people's layaways," Wheeler said. "They shop year round to gather toys and store them until the big drop off that Toys For Tots does. These people are very caring and loving and giving, selfless people."

These special helpers deserve recognition "for going above and beyond to make sure smiles are on children's faces on Christmas morning. There's no better present than seeing a smile on a child's face or to see them filled with excitement because Santa brought them exactly what they wanted," Wheeler said. "They are your everyday people. They work daily and take their hard earned money to buy toys to put smiles on children's faces. They aren't ever looking for recognition just the gift of knowing what they do changes lives of children and families."

3. Local Heroes: Ashley And Vicky Omekam Give Back To Arlington

Ashley and Vicky Omekam of Arlington have volunteered feeding the homeless and keeping them warm annually for four years in the Walter Reed neighborhood.

"They have organized an annual community event called Stay Warm D.C. where they ask the community to bring items to their drop-off locations around the DMV and then host Stay Warm D.C., a day when volunteers come and organize the donations to be dropped off and passed out to the homeless community in the DMV," said Andrea Joe, who nominated Ashley and Vicky Omekam.

"The Omekam twins bring our community together in a major way and usually have truckloads of donations to hand out. They have blessed so many of us, and we want to publicly thank them," Joe said.

4. Patch Local Hero Mary C. Saunders Provides Service With A Smile

Mary C. Saunders and the Herndon-Reston FISH staff were nominated anonymously for providing supportive service to the community with a smile. Saunders is executive director of Herndon-Reston FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help).

"She works tirelessly to raise awareness & funds to help those, who are in emergency financial crises," the nominator said. "Assistance is provided for rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, emergency dental, holiday and other critical needs. Mary is a champion of the underdog and has a smile and a solution to help those in crises."

5. Local Hero: Arlington's Susan Thompson-Gaines Is A Kindness Activist

Teresa Saunders nominated Susan Thompson-Gaines of Arlington, describing her as a kindness activist who believes kindness begets kindness.

"She performs random acts of kindness all the time. She has a small food pantry in her yard. She has a Kindness blog," Saunders said of Thompson-Gaines. "She motivates others in her community to be kind. She holds a huge Kindness Yard Sale once a year to generate funds for her kind acts. She is amazing!!!"

Related: Local Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Folks Making A Difference Across VA

Read more about Virginia's heroes here.