Dr. Frank Burns, Dominic Harris, Mike Zimmermann and Community Foundation President & CEO Stewart Stearns at the 2008 Unsung Heroes Awards

Unsung heroes are people just like you who have a passion for making a difference in our community when no one is looking. But we’re looking. Over the past 14 years, the Community Foundation and the Wilson-Wood Foundation have recognized 48 unheralded, special individuals whose contributions rarely reach the spotlight.

Here are this year’s Unsung Heroes:

Dominic Harris uses his time and talents to serve dozens of young men in the Newtown area, recruiting his friends into the “Brotherhood of Men” so they can act as mentors and role models of success and honorable living to boys in need of hope. Click here to read more. 

Dr. Frank Burns is a volunteer ministering angel for the homeless in Sarasota County. Using his family, friends and personal resources, the Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctor has outfitted a mobile medical clinic that attends to the bodies and souls of those in need, wherever he finds them. Click here to read more.

Mike Zimmermann trains and supervises volunteers at the American Red Cross, has responded to over 50 local and national catastrophes, and has helped to remodel and storm harden the Red Cross building—all while working full-time at the Venice Regional Medical Center and studying to become a nurse. Click here to read more.

Nominations for Unsung Heroes are made by volunteer “spotters” in the community who represent the geographic and cultural diversity of Sarasota County. Their anonymity insures the integrity and success of the program. Spotters’ written nominations are reviewed by a special committee of community leaders who select the Unsung Heroes winners. They are then approved by the Community Foundation board of directors. Awardees receive a cash grant to use in any way they choose.

Congratulations to this year’s wonderful Unsung Heroes!