Four people who make a difference in the lives of others were honored Nov. 3, 2008, in the 15th Annual "Hometown Heroes" awards ceremony at Elon University. Freshmen class officers selected the honorees for "making a positive difference by touching lives and strengthening their home communities."
Honorees were nominated by freshman students and chosen by the class officers. A recognition celebration took place in McKinnon Hall in the Moseley Center. This year’s honorees include:
Keith Greenfield – Dover, Massachusetts
Nominated and introduced by Sarah Clancy
Nine years ago, Greenfield founded Open Fields Community Theater, a musical theater group that provides “a safe haven for children to develop a passion for acting, singing and dance.” Productions like Annie become bonding experiences for entire families as parents take on the work of set and costume design and older siblings take supportive roles so that younger children may have the starring roles.
Jeff Heck – Asheville, North Carolina
Nominated and introduced by Kenton Heck
Founder and executive director of Shoulder to Shoulder, a non-profit organization creating partnerships between thirteen academic health centers and poor rural communities in Honduras, Ecuador and Tanzania, Heck’s efforts address global poverty through medical and dental clinics, educational scholarships and programs that increase self-esteem of young girls through entrepreneurship.
Bernard Loeffke – Hollywood, Florida
Nominated and introduced by Kristina Loeffke
Honored soldier with a strong global perspective, Loeffke’s career encompasses service as a military attaché in China and Russia, teaching at West Point and Georgetown, and serving on the National Security Council staff. In honor of a fellow Vietnam soldier, he now works to provide medical aid to areas of the world that have extremely limited resources such as Bosnia, Haiti, Niger, Darfur and Iraq.
April Pinch-Keeler – Arlington, Virginia
Nominated and introduced by Stephanie Pinch
President of MVLE, a non-profit devoted to helping people with disabilities find employment and support services, Pinch-Keeler has expanded the reach of MVLE through federal contracts with the Government Printing Office and Walter Reed Medical Center. The core values of respect, opportunity, success, diversity and integrity guide the organization.