New Hero Finalists: Becky, Orbert, Ed, Tom and Raijean!
By: Stephanie Lewis
June 4, 2012 9:17 am CT
You sent in your stories of the inspirational people making a difference in YOUR communities, and we are excited to announce the newest Our Town, Our Heroes finalists! Becky, Orbert, Ed, Tom and Raijean are all driving positive change in their communities. Now they need your votes to take home the Our Town, Our Heroes title!
Read on for the stories of our five finalists and cast your vote for your favorite hero. Remember, you can vote once per day for your hero, and be sure to spread the word to family and friends! We will post an update on the standings next Monday, June 11, so keep checking back to see if your hero is in the top spot!
Becky Beifuss from Glen Ellyn, nominated by Lora Vitek
Becky Beilfuss has been working for Teen Parent Connection for nearly 30 years. She started as a volunteer and has worked her way up to executive director. The mission of Teen Parent Connection is to serve the community through education about the realities and responsibilities of teenage pregnancy and through long-term assistance to adolescent parents for their development of self-esteem, parenting skills and empowerment toward self-sufficiency. Through hard work, motivation and passion for the cause, Becky has strengthened young families forever, especially teenage parents in DuPage County. Becky, too, was a teenage parent and wants to share her message that young people can move beyond simply being a teenage parent. There is still is a future – a successful future – ahead for these families.
Orbert Davis from Chicago, nominated by Eileen Gormaly
Orbert inspires countless students, musicians and others, not only through his generosity, but also his passion for music. He is a college mentor and has spent his career encouraging and motivating others through his music. Orbert continues to go out of his way to pave greater paths for others, especially those in the fine arts.
Ed Marszewski from Chicago, nominated by Dawn Hancock
Ed has been called the “king of Chicago’s underground art scene,” “the most innovative, conscientious art impresario and provocateur,” and “the mayor of Bridgeport.” Ed is building a community one publication, exhibition and small business at a time. His passion and action for creating community is unparalleled. He has published art and culture magazines for more than 20 years, showcased local and international artists at his gallery and most recently created a new organization called SMALL, which promotes those who make locally-manufactured products. Ed’s entire goal is to create the “community of the future” in his neighborhood of Bridgeport. With every art opening, publication launch and forward-thinking festival, Ed creates opportunities for Chicagoans to discuss, promote and gather together to support one another.
Tom O’Connell from Chicago, nominated by JoAnn Reilly
My brother-in-law Tom has been a Chicago fireman for 30 years and always does his job with great pride. Last year, Tom rescued a young boy from a basement engulfed in flames. When Tom told us this story, he was very concerned about the child’s health because of the extent of his burns and was unsure if he would survive the injuries. Recently, the boy went back to school. His teacher called the fire department and asked if Tom would come to school to meet the boy. The moment Tom entered the classroom, the boy’s face lit up. When asked about his heroism, Tom remained (and continued to remain) humble, making sure the other firemen were recognized. Tom has always been a great guy and is a true hero.
Raijean Stroud from Oak Park, nominated by Sa’Rah Stroud
Raijean is a hero because she has done so much to inform people about heart disease. What makes Raijean so amazing is that she has suffered from heart disease herself, resulting in two surgeries. Imagine having a defibrillator at the age of 28 and trying to raise a child at the same time. Raijean is very strong to have survived these two surgeries and now she wants to educate everyone, especially young people, about the risks of heart disease and how to minimize their risk. Her Bleeding Heart Project foundation holds annual events to promote heart health awareness. She not only blogs regularly about fashion, beauty and lifestyle on swa-rai.com, but also blogs about heart-related issues at www.bleedingheartproject.com and provides weekly tips on how to keep your heart healthy on the Bleeding Heart Facebook Page. Raijean has truly used her illness to help others!
Loading ...Voting for this round of Our Town, Our Heroes ends Monday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. CST. We will announce the winning hero Tuesday, June 19. Follow @DrivingMidwest for real-time updates about the program.
You can also find the new hero finalists on our Facebook page – visit Facebook.com/OurTownOurHeroes today and share the story with your friends, family and supporters!
Tags: Becky Beilfuss, Ed Marszewski, local hero, Orbert Davis, OTOH 2012, Our Town Our Heroes, Raijean Stroud, Tom O’Connell, vote
Ed does more for the city of Chicago and the artists of this fine city than anyone. Literally. Honored to know him.
Raijean Stroud because she has overcome many obstacles to achieve so many great things! Sometimes people let ailments make them a quitter but she was a fighter!!
From what I'm reading, all of these people are amazing in their own way and should all win but it looks like that's not the case so I have to cast my vote for Raijean. She's an inspiration to many and her dedication in helping others is the real deal.
As we all know our health is the most important put of life,and if we could be educated more about healthy living, I truly believe we could live a better life. Many people suffer from heart attacks and strokes because we are unaware of the importance of checking our blood pressure,and I've read Ms. Raijean's Bleeding Heart page and it really made me aware of how important it is to eat right, exercise,and visit the doctor regularly.Heart disease has no age so I think she is doing a phenomenal job. I have to Thank her for opening my eyes….
[...] Go here to vote now! [...]
I have known Becky for 15 years. She continues to be a role model to me and many others regularly. Her actions speak as loud as her words. Becky is an inspiration to everyone who crosses her path and I am truly blessed to be one of those people. She is kind hearted, generous, motivational and a true hometown hero!
All these individuals should be applauded for their efforts and personal contributions. However I’m casting my vote for Raijean Stroud.
Raijean Stroud continues to educate the youth and adults alike about living with heart disease. As we know thru Raijean, this disease doesnt come with age requirements. As a young, vibrant entrepreneur stricken with this disease, her drive to educate is beyond impeccable. She hosts seminars, events and blogs about healthier tidbits regulary. She strives to inform ALL communinities about awareness of the potential dangers associated with heart disease including those surronding disadvantaged and medically under-served areas. I applaud her determination and energy.
Best of luck to Raijean Stroud in this contest & in her educational endeavors with her bleeding heart project.
Becky is a leader, a teacher, a mentor and a friend. She is passionate about her work with teenagers and has had a impact on so many people young and old. She is truly a hero to the teenagers lives she and Teen Parent Connection have touched and out reached to. She is an inspiration to all of us.
I cast my vote to Ms. Stroud because she gives back to others with her dedication to educating others and empowering them to take charge of their own health and survive!
Ed Marszewski — a.k.a. "EDMAR" — has been a been a tireless and dedicated advocate for neighborhoods as well as Chicago's creative community for over two decades. He welcomes emerging local artists as well as international visitors and provides ample refutation of any notion that our "global" character is confined to the Gold Coast. Anyone can live in a big town: people like Ed help make this a city.
Please go to http://www.wgntv.com and search for Tom O'Connell and you will find his story. His story was on the news a few weeks ago. You will see why Tom O'Connell is a true hero. You can also find his story on CBS, ABC, and NBC. VOTE FOR TOM!!! THANK YOU!!
I voted for Tommy
Raijean has educated ppl my age(30+) letting me know that Heart Disease is not just for old ppl but can affect anyone for various reasons. Becausee of Raijean I make healthy nutrious choices for me and my family.
Orbert Davis is preserving the "real music" by teaching youth and providing outlets for learning, expressing and sharing, for youth of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. He welcomes all music forms, musicians and vocalists. I cast my vote for Orbert Davis for the sake of keeping this international treasure alive and in the communities where it was formed.
Orbert Davis IS the real deal! As gifted and brilliant a musician he is, he is just as much an honorable man! For over two decades, Orbert has been passionate about music and ensuring future generations were afforded the opportunity to learn and appreciate the art form. His God given talent consistently crosses the generational, cultural and racial lines; consequently, the City of Chicago continues to be all the better because of Orbert's selfless contributions.
I have had the honor of working with Orbert over the past decade now and his inspirations and aspirations are never cease to amaze me and the growing team of people – teaching artists, musicians, citizens – that have amassed to support his mission of 1) putting music back in schools; 2) raising the value of music in education and in American culture; and 3) bridging communities through music. He has a remarkable talent and uses it to serve the needs of our community. Bravo!
I wish I could detail all of the contributions Orbert has made to the community!!!!!!!!! They are endless – he IS the real deal, and such a wonderful and generous person!!! Thank you for recognising the humanitarian side of this talented and wonderful man
i was looking at all the constestants andto me everyone is a winner< but i know i have to pick one so i chose Mr. Orbert C. Davis
Raijean is the prescribe canidate. I have never seen such a great young lady evolve into such a smart, health conscience. Faishonestta.. Rai takes pride in everything she does from parenting. To teaching African-American people about having a healthy heart. God has taken this woman thru UPS and downs..eventhough she was burdoned with heart trouble. Her heart has never turned cold or shrunk in any way. She continues to be and advocate for people with heart problems (all heart problem) you can’t help but love a women like that. While doing all of that she still is the most fashionable woman I know..
Orbert is a man on a mission! I have known him for many years and I am inspired by what he does for his community using jazz as a vehicle!
I wish I could detail all of the contributions Tom O'Connell has made to the community!!!!!!!! They truly are endless – he is such a wonderful generous person that he gets up everyday and goes to work and is willing to put his life on the line in order to save someone else. I understand that everyone that has been nominated for this prestigous award, has made a great contribution to their communities. I commend them for that, but honestly out of everyone nominated Tom is the only person who really puts his life on the line everday when he goes to work. He is the only person here nominated that is willing to say you know what, that person in trapped in the burning house life is just as important if not more important then mine. Then goes inside and saves them. I appreciate all of the work the people on here have done, but would any of them run into a burning building to save a stranger.
I've had the pleasure of knowing Tom O'Connell for approximately 20 years and can honestly say that he is one of the most hard working individuals in the city. Tom deserves this award because not only is he a great firefighter, but a true family man. He exemplifies how a person in a highly stressful profession can balance work and family.
Congratulations Tom and to your family on the nomination and I hope you win! You deserve it!
Raijean Has been the voice that’s speaks to me as I make meal choices for me and my family! She has educated me on how important it is to take preventative measures on heart disease! Raijean has an excellent heart physically & emotionally! I believe Raijean deserves this award and many many more for other contributions that she have made to society, but I’ll hold that speech for a different nomination! “DIVAAAAA!”
Voted for Tom O'Connell again! Awesome person! It is also worth mentioning that Tom, for his entire career, works in one of the busiest fire houses in Chicago.
Ed has changed what art means and the depths it can reach, in Chicago.
His generosity and encouragement has strengthened our communities, local economies, and collective spirit.
I could throw out more platitudes but in reality he’s just the real-deal, no BS.
Proud of you Tom
A family couldn't be more proud of you, Tom. After 30 years of putting your life on the line every day you go to work, you truly deserve to be recognized for the care, hard work & dedication you display on the job. I see you as the amazing son, brother, husband, father & friend. Thank you (and your fellow firefighters) for being a hero, to not only to the community you protect, but to all who know you. Love you.
I say Raijean all the way! I personally don't know this young lady but I follow her and a big supporter. Like a previous person, stated she has over come so much . She has inspired me to push forward the dreams I have and not know it. Through her blogs and her Bleeding Heart Project. When I finally met her(once) she had this warm presents about her self and I think she is very humble. She also took her illness and instead of getting into a slump, she took it and embraced it to educate others. Especially women. So I vote Raijean Stroud
Go Raijean Stroud!! woot woot =)
Go Raijean!
Thanks for being there
Vote for my Dad Tom O'Connell. Everyone on this list is deserving of recognition and respect for their hard work in raising awareness, mentoring, and teaching young minds but my father is a true hero. Always has done the right thing, has been a rock in my life, and has always lead by example to me. He has worked in the busiest firehouses in the city for his entire career and his current firehouse has been ranked in the top ten busiest firehouses in the nation. Very few people cut holes in roofs as fire spews out, walk/crawl in smoke filled rooms where vision is impossible and you move by feeling things around you as you look for limp bodies who you have never met before and most likely will never see again to get the thank you you rightfully deserve. It is easy to run to something and watch. It takes real heart, courage, bravery, and trust in your brothers to sprint INTO a scorching building as others run out. He has done this day in day out for 33 years so vote for my Dad, Tom O'Connell.
You're a great guy Uncle Tom and i hope you win! For many reasons you are my hero!
A true hero is selfless and humble, both traits describe Tom O'Connell. He is that and so much more!
Congratulations Raijean on Running it in the Midwest! I hear you are now on the EastCoast doing BIG things! You Go Girl! I don't know where you got that Heart from, but it is a good one, despite the diagnosis! Love YOU Much! ~Lanique's Mommy!
Great job Rai hope you win ,what have I learned from my younger sister is how to be a survivor
I voted for Becky Belifuss! Becky has dedicated her career to serving young parents and their children in an effort to promote the success of families and to prevent child maltreatment. She is a tireless advocate for the well-being of children and takes the needs of families to heart. Her commitment and dedication can be measured by the smiles on the faces of thousands of children and young parents who she has served as a volunteer, group leader, educator, and Executive Director for Teen Parent Connection. Please join me in honoring Becky's service to her community!
Congratulations Tom.
Great job Rai your a real American hero you’ve already won