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Hometown Hero for June 27th, 2025:  Karen and Mark Ernst!

Karen and Mark moved to Eastern NC about 9 months ago and have been raising chickens in the town of Davis, and donating all the eggs to the food bank!

Hometown Hero for June 20th, 2025:  The Pamlico County Rescue Squad!

Nominated by Michael Wynne, who writes:
“I truly appreciate y’all doing this and have enjoyed hearing all of the stories.  Mine is not one person, but the whole Pamlico Co rescue squad. I woke up one morning and found my wife on the bathroom floor unresponsive. I called 911 for help. Within minutes an off duty EMS was there to start to help. He radioed to rush the ambulance. They got her into the ambulance and headed to New Bern. I asked for them to take us to Greenville and they said she may not make New Bern. They had to stop twice on the side of the road to work on her and called for a second ambulance for help. They also got the Pamlico Sheriffs dept involved to help with traffic and to clear a path. Their professionalism and absolute dedication to working on my wife is the only reason she is with me today. The Dr at the ER said she was not likely to survive the day.  I know that saving someone’s life is an easily tossed around phrase, but this is exactly what happened. I am forever grateful! 

Hometown Hero for June 13th, 2025:  Lewis Anderson!

Nominated by Anne Strickland and Dana Parisher, who write:
“Meet Lewis!  Last September, at just 3 years old, Lewis was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects the bones and surrounding tissue.  He has been through chemo and had his leg amputated to remove the tumor.  Through it all he’s brought the best attitude, a constant smile, and an infatuation with Dinosaurs!  His family and friends have been his constant cheerleaders throughout,  and last Friday he got to ring the bell at Duke!  He now has a prosthetic leg (his “dinosaur leg”) and is learning how to walk with it with continued therapy.  He is the bravest little guy we know, and a true hero!”
Coming soon: the Love For Lewis Family Fun Day on August 23rd, 10am until 2pm at Maccripine County Club in Macclesfield NC, with rides, bouncy houses, slides, a train, clowns and super heros and face painting.  Everyone is invited to join the fun!
BBQ Pig plates will be sold from 12pm to 2pm.  (Tickets for presale are available July 15th)
The Switch (East Coast Party Band) will be playing that night from 8 to 12pm and tickets will be available for that also July 15th.
****For more info, to sponsor or donate, call Dana Parisher at 252-458-1345.****

Hometown Hero for June 6th, 2025:  Martin White!

Nominated by Daisy Cooper, who writes:
“Martin White, from Kinston NC, is my hometown hero! He is truly a gem!  He has a business named Envision, pouring out his knowledge of financial literacy to help people with their finances and help them start businesses. He has helped so many people in the community start businesses, get a house or new car. He is a rare gem especially when everyone else is money hungry, and he’s done so much for the community in Kinston that they gave him a Key To The City at the BBQ Festival!”

Hometown Hero for May 30th, 2025:  Jamie Marcum!

Nominated by Tammy Matis, who writes:
“I would like to nominate my friend and trap/neuter/release partner, Jaime Marcum!  This young lady and I work to control our hometown cat population while finding local strays new homes.  She coordinates with people in need of help with stray and community cats to get them fixed.  Together we have spayed and neutered over two hundred cats here in Farmville!  Along the way we find friendly cats and get them into rescue for adoption.  Keep in mind, Jaime has a full time job in addition to giving her personal time to help with this in our town.  In fact she started this on her own.  She’s defines “hometown hero” in my opinion. Thank you!”

 

Hometown Hero for May 23rd, 2025:  Chloe McCroskey!

Nominated by her dad Michael, who writes:

“Back in 2018, Chloe was beaten by a group of people almost to her death.  She went into a shell after that for about a year and a half, but would eventually come to me and say “daddy I know what I wanna do. I want to become what helped me on the worst day of my life. I wanna be a firefighter and paramedic!”  She went through the Firefighters Academy and got a full-time job with the Smithfield fire department as a firefighter EMT – the only female firefighter they have, proving it’s not just a man’s world!  She has a heart of gold and all she wants to do is help people…and to see what she went through and what she’s doing now, she’s my hometown hero!”   

Hometown Hero for May 16th, 2025:  Michele Kitzerow!

Nominated by Christine Kitzerow, who writes:

“Michele is a pediatric nurse at ECU Health and takes great care of her patients with a very big heart.  One of Michele’s first cases was a baby named Ciara, who spent her first 3 years of life in the pediatrics unit and never received visits from anyone. Michele showed her so much love. Eventually, a couple adopted Ciara, and they saw her relationship with Michele and decided to keep Michele in their family circle. Ciara against all odds and many many surgeries in her life grew up to be a beautiful young woman and started college determined to be a nurse like her MiMi (her name for Michele).  Michele has always been my hero and has gone above and beyond to show love and caring for everyone she meets, with a smile on her face and in her heart through all the ups and downs.“

Hometown Hero for May 9th, 2025: Tony Mainolfi!

Nominated by Sheelo White, who writes:

 
“My husband Tony Mainolfi has been a volunteer fireman since 1984. He started volunteering for his hometown FD in Long Island where he was a Class A Firefighter and an E.M.T for 7 yrs before moving to North Carolina in 1993 and joining the Simpson Volunteer FD, where he has been for 30 years (and is still a very active member!). he also Volunteered with the Pitt County Sheriffs Office for 19 years with the Mounted Horse Patrol.   He cares very much about helping his neighbors and community everyday, and has been the USPS Food drive coordinator for 20 years to head up the largest One day food drive in the Nation. he is truly a Hometown HERO!”

Hometown Hero for May 2nd, 2025:  Scott Pollock!

Nominated by Rylie Cherowbrier, who writes:
“Scott Is the most giving, helpful person in the community. He is always willing to donate his time and help where it is needed. Every day after work he stops by to check on His elderly Aunt, takes her to church every Sunday and takes her grocery shopping once a week. He also checks on and helps out with his elderly uncles and cousins. He has helped out with many fundraisers in the community along with any help our neighborhood needs. What I love most about him is how he will dress up in any Halloween costume my mom will ask him to.  He has been a wonderful stepfather to me and I would love for him to win so I can take him somewhere on my own.”

Hometown Hero for April 25th, 2025:  Matthew Drake!

Nominated by Donna Leathers, who writes:

“Pastor Matthew Drake of Richlands United Pentecostal Church really goes above and beyond to help the community. He does free counseling for anyone who needs it. He is also the local volunteer fire fighter chaplain. During hurricane Florence he ruined his boat helping people and rescuing animals. During COVID shutdown he made sure we still had church. Everyone should have a pastor Drake in their lives!“

Hometown Hero for April 17th, 2025: Frank Hernandez! 

Nominated by Sam Finch, who writes:  

Frank runs a program in eastern NC called Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the motto is no child sleeps on the floor;  he has taken many weekends and gathered volunteers to help with this program;  not only do they build the beds but they also deliver the beds to the children in need;  he also gathers donations and helps with covering these beds with the sheets, comforters and pillows to go along with all the ones he is building and delivering  to the needy children;  its such a great program…I work with Frank and he is a great guy and a very caring person and we’re all really proud of his service to this charity event he takes time  to get this done for all the needy children in eastern NC!

Hometown Hero for April 11th, 2025: Melanie Sartore-Baldwin! 

Nominated by Florence Parkhill, who writes:  

“I would like to nominate a very dear and special person!  She is a professor at ECU, HOWEVER, she is known more for her loving and caring heart through the Pitt County Animal Shelter and “Friends” group.  She leads and trains the “Mutt Strutters” volunteer group, who walk the dogs at the shelter twice every day and give attention and love to them.

She advertises the dogs and cats on FB hoping for them to find their forever homes.  She cares and loves so much!  She has such a deep love and caring for all the Shelter animals.  She is so loved by all that know her!  She has suffered tragic loss herself but she does so much for animals and others through it all!!!  She’s the BEST!!! 

 

I just can’t think of anyone that’s not more appropriate for the “Home Hero” nomination!”

Hometown Hero for April 4th, 2025:  Joseph Fuller!

Nominated by his niece Julie, who writes:

“Joseph would give you the shirt off his back. He is a Shriner. He helps drive children to Shriners hospitals all over. He made sure I had a wonderful ramp built on my house. Not only is he one of my heroes and a community hero, he is my uncle. He does all this despite his own health issues.” 

Hometown Hero for March 21st, 2025:  Polly Mack

Nominated by Jane, who writes:

“Polly runs the Ayden Senior Center and goes beyond what her responsibilities are, she keeps us busy and on our toes.  We do bingo once a week and she takes the card and makes different patterns to keep our minds sharp. Also when one of us is sick and can’t come to the center she makes food and has others do the same to help us out. If we don’t come for a few days she is calling us to find out what is wrong. She also does monthly birthday parties for us. If we need help she is there!!!  This is why I think she deserves this. She is more than just the lady that runs the center, she is our family and makes us all feel like family to her!!” 

Hometown Hero for March 13th, 2025:  Mrs. Brittany Engle-Hale!

Nominated by Ishmael, who writes:

“My English Teacher!  She works at Southside High School in Chocowinity and sparked my love for English – and thanks to her, I am now on my way to pursuing a Bachelor’s in English. She’s always so kind and positive, and is one of the kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

Hometown Hero for March 7th, 2025:  Reagan Edge!

Reagan, nominated by her Aunt Ashley, is a 17 year old girl who loves to help her community!  She won Majestic Miss National Black Bear Festival Queen this past May and she visits nursing homes through the pageant. She is also raising money that will go toward food boxes and other things in her community.  She encourages other young people to get involved in their communities and help others.