Celtics Recognize "Heroes Among Us"

New England is home to many individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on our community, positively affecting the lives of others. For the fourth season, the Boston Celtics will recognize an individual or individuals at each home game who have made a special contribution.

2002-03 HEROES: Nov./Oct.

2001-02 HEROES: May April March February January December October/November

2000-01 HEROES: April March February January December November October

Here are the December 2002 Heroes Among Us:

Tony and Virginia Brenna (pictured with Antoine Walker, Brevin Knight and Shane Battier)

Dec. 31, 2002
Tony and Virginia Brenna
In 1984, Tony and Virginia saw a documentary about granting a last wish to a 9-year old boy with leukemia. Touched by his story, they created the My One Wish Foundation, which is dedicated to granting wishes to seriously ill children in Massachusetts. They have built an all-volunteer group that has granted a variety of memorable wishes -- from meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Leno and Drew Barrymore to family trips to Disney World. To date, their organization has granted over 145 wishes.

Gary Twombly (pictured with Antoine Walker and Kevin Garnett

Dec. 20, 2002
Gary Twombly
While playing ice hockey with his family on a pond, Gary, an off-duty firefighter, heard the screams of a young boy. Eight-year-old Richard Fleck had fallen through the ice on the other side of the pond and was submerged up to his neck in the icy water. Reacting immediately, Gary made his way across the thin ice, eventually having to crawl on his stomach to avoid falling in himself. He extended his hockey stick to Richard, pulled the youngster from the water, and brought him safely to shore. For his heroic actions, Gary was honored with the Medal of Honor, the state’s highest award for firefighters.

Jane Sapp (pictured with Antoine Walker)

Dec. 18, 2002
Jane Sapp
Born and raised in the segregated South, Jane experienced first-hand the hardships of social injustice. As a young musician, she realized the power of music and its ability to help the oppressed share their story. Today, Jane is using music to help inner-city youth express themselves. Based on the historical experiences of the African-American community, she founded Voices of Today, one of the many programs she created that uses the talents of the inner-city community to bring about social change. With Jane’s help, young people discover the power to make the world a better place.

Zachary Jewett (pictured with Antoine Walker and Darius Miles)

Dec. 13, 2002
Zachary Jewett
Zachary was playing with his four-year old neighbor, Owen, when they decided to go swimming in the family pool. Owen’s teenaged brother agreed to take the boys swimming, but Owen couldn’t wait for him. The four-year old climbed the gate and accidentally toppled into the pool. Eight-year old Zachary knew Owen couldn’t swim, so he immediately ran through the backyard, scaled the security gate, reached into the pool and brought little Owen to safety. Zach took his heroic actions in stride, saying he "was just helping Owen.”

Lee Kennedy (pictured with Antoine Walker and Shawn Marion)

Dec. 11, 2002
Lee Kennedy
While Lee’s daughter Michelle was battling leukemia, the outpouring of support that they received from friends and strangers alike overwhelmed them. Lee and Michelle then made a promise that they would help others experiencing catastrophic illness. Though Michelle lost her battle in 1991, Lee kept that promise alive by creating the Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation. Their mission is to provide assistance to those in need due to severe illness. They help with everything from hospital bills to travel expenses. It is Lee’s way of keeping Michelle’s legacy alive while helping others.

Hope Wilson (r) and Terry Lenczycki (pictured with Antoine Walker and Grant Hill)

Dec. 9, 2002
Hope Wilson and Terry Lenczycki
After working for years in the healthcare industry, Hope, a nurse, and Terry, a mental health counselor, both realized that they could make more of a difference by treating the most vulnerable members of our society -- the homeless. Together, the pair travel to numerous shelters and soup kitchens every week, in most cases providing the only medical care their patients ever receive. Called Mother Hope by her patients, Hope has worked with those living in homeless shelters for over nine years, and Terry has worked as her partner for the last five.

Macy DeLong (pictured with Antoine Walker and Allan Houston)

Dec. 6, 2002
Macy DeLong
After falling into a severe depression and losing her job as a biologist at Harvard University, Macy found herself homeless on the streets of Cambridge. After nine long months, Macy was able to get her life back in order and decided that helping the homeless was her life’s calling. She cashed out her retirement fund and built a shelter called, “Solutions at Work”. Founded in 1989, her program aims to get homeless people into permanent housing by providing furniture, clothing and job placement assistance. She has helped over 65,000 people establish themselves, working to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, one person at a time.

Patrick Doyle (pictured with Antoine Walker and David Wesley)

Dec. 1, 2002
Patrick Doyle
What started off as a day at the beach almost turned tragic when Cora O’Rourke was caught off guard in the currents of Green Harbor Beach. Cora was stricken with fear and unable to swim when 11-year old Patrick rushed out to save her. He arrived at her side and immediately began to calm her down. He told Cora to put her hands on his shoulders, and he would tread the water for her. By offering her constant assurance and a strong shoulder to lean on, Patrick was able to safely assist Cora back to shore. Witnesses say that Patrick’s actions saved Cora’s life.