Most Inspiring Person of 2010

Reader's Choice Winner: Joshua Williams

Beliefnet is proud to announce that Joshua Williams is the Reader's Choice for Most Inspiring Person of 2010.

Typical nine year old boys spend the bulk of their time playing ball and video games or dreaming up excuses to not clean their room. Joshua Williams isn’t your typical kid.

Sure he hangs out with his friends and has plenty of fun, but more often than not, you’ll find the Miami Beach resident doing something about a very real problem—hunger.

Joshua was first inspired to help the hungry after seeing a TV infomercial for Feed The Children. But instead of helping families in Africa, Joshua wanted to meet the needs of those in the Miami-Dade area.

“God told me that I should do it,” Joshua told Beliefnet. “God said that this is my purpose. So I followed that.”

After bugging his mother and his two aunts for several weeks, Joshua, at the age of five, got involved by helping feed some families through his local church. Eventually, his grandmother joined the team as Joshua led the charge to feed the homeless and impoverished residents in downtown Miami.

When local ordinances created to cut down on litter got in the way, he started his own humanitarian non-profit organization called Joshua’s Heart. He was just seven at the time.

Since then, Joshua’s Heart has raised more than $140,000 and collected an estimated 300,000 pounds of food in an effort to feed over 7,000 individuals. Joshua is assisted by adult volunteers along with a slew of friends that are affectionately referred to as “Joshua’s Elves.”

They all work together to maintain several outreach efforts including a quarterly feeding program, a gardening program and a backpack program. The latter ensures that at-risk school children have enough to eat over the weekend and throughout the holidays. Joshua’s Heart is also developing a reading program and is simply waiting to fill some tutoring slots before officially launching.

Joshua’s bold determination and heartwarming spirit resonated with Beliefnet readers who selected him as the 2010 Most Inspiring Person of the Year.

“I’m excited and I would like to thank all the readers out there who voted for me,” Joshua said. “Also, I’d like to congratulate all the other nominees. Their stories were wonderful and very inspiring.”

In the future, Joshua wants to expand his operation to impact the entire state of Florida and eventually wants to get more involved in helping the international community. Even further down the road, he aspires to become a scientist so he can find a cure for disease.

Joshua is often asked how he does it at such a young age. He likes to paraphrase a famous quote by Mother Teresa in response: “If you can’t feed a hundred, feed one.”

“Never give up on making a difference no matter how young you are,” Joshua added. “You can always make a difference. Even when it’s hard, I think about all the kids that are starving out there and I just feel like I have this work to do. It’s nothing compared to what they’re going through and I can do it.”

Editor's Choice Winner: Maddie Babineau

Beliefnet is proud to announce that Maddie Babineau is the Editor's Choice for Most Inspiring Person of 2010.

When a terminally ill child gets a call from the Children's Wish Foundation, the standard request usually involves visits from Hollywood stars and professional athletes or trips to preferred vacation destinations like Disney Land or Sea World.

But when Maddie Babineau had the opportunity to do something for herself, the 12-year old bone cancer patient did something quite extraordinary. She asked if the money that would used for to grant her wish would instead go to help build a school in Africa. Thanks to a $5,000 donation from The Children’s Wish Foundation, Maddie helped 45 boys and girls in Enelerai enjoy improved education and the hope for a better future.

It was three years ago when Maddie lost her battle with cancer at the age of 15. But that wasn’t before she was able to up the ante as a bold humanitarian. While undergoing severe treatment, she bought jewelry on eBay and resold it from her hospital bed to raise money for a well to accompany the school in Africa. She also started “the MAD project,” which stands for “Making A Difference.”

Maddie’s selfless acts of compassion live on today continue to challenge young people and adults alike to continue her legacy. That’s why Beliefnet is proud to present her with Editor’s Choice for 2010 Most Inspiring Person of the Year. Maddie’s mother Sharon Babineau accepted the award on her behalf.

“It’s fantastic because we’re the ones that are carrying the torch now,” Sharon told Beliefnet. “I feel like she’s passed this wonderful message on to us. When we focus on something that’s positive and really meaningful, we can do anything.”

Sharon estimates that Maddie’s foundation has generated well over $150,000. Among other fundraising ventures, she hosts an annual run in Ontario called “M.A.D. 4 MADDIE.” Most recently, Sharon has overseen a fundraising program that successfully funded a $100,000 health center in Kenya. She was able to visit the school her daughter helped build in Enelerai and plans to make more trips in the future.

And while Sharon is determined to take her daughter’s dream to new heights, she’s equally persistent in sharing Maddie’s story with anyone who will listen.

“She was a shy little girl who was able to find her voice when she was speaking out for others,” Sharon said. “By doing that, it actually made her journey with cancer less difficult. She took the focus off of the cancer and she put it on helping other people.”

Sharon is working on a book about her daughter that she hopes will release later this year or early 2012. She has also written a children’s book inspired by Maddie’s story and plans to self-publish with the proceeds benefitting a newly-formed not-for-profit called Maddie’s Everlasting Wish.

“I believe that everybody has a life purpose and Maddie discovered hers,” Sharon said. “She was able to do something that was so beautiful, it just uplifted all of us.”

Watch Maddie's mother, Sharon Babineau, tell her daughter's inspiring story and how she used her last wish to help others.

Editor’s Note: Readers looking to learn more about Maddie’s foundation can visit www.maddieswishproject.com.

Ryan Arnold

Ryan Arnold knew there were risks, most notably the possiblity of death. But when he found out he was a match to his ailing older brother Chad, he didn’t hesitate to offer part of his liver in heroic, life-saving fashion.

On July 29, 2010, Ryan, 34, went through the complex procedure at The University of Colorado Hospital. He had traveled from Watertown, South Dakota, to take part in the live donor program that was necessary to rid Chad, a 38-year old resident of Castle Rock, Colo., of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease that causes itching, fatigue, jaundice and ultimately liver failure.

“You know, I love Chad,” Ryan told KDVR News just prior to the surgery. “He's my brother and he's got a lot of life left to live. I'm healthy and I know I'll stay healthy. I'll recover and I want to see him do the things he wants to do, and spend time with his family, and I want to have him around for a long time.”

As Chad was making a full recovery, Ryan took an unexpected turn for the worse. On July 31, he went into cardiac arrest, fell into a coma and was place on life support. Two days later, Ryan died. It was the first living liver donor death in the state of Colorado and only the fourth such tragedy in the United States.

Ryan Arnold has been nominated for Beliefnet’s 2010 Most Inspirational Person of the Year for his fearless gift of love. He was the husband of wife Shannon and father three boys, ages one, four and six.

“This is a story about a man who is deeply convicted by his faith and because of that, what he did for me was just sort of a normal thing that he did for people,” Chad said. “Ryan is the hero in this. Ryan gave without hesitation. It's the ultimate sacrifice, but he'd do it again.”

Al Barsema

In spiritual terms, a mountaintop experience is usually equated with divinely inspired epiphany and often results in significant life change. But when Al Barsema found himself living out that metaphor, it was for all the wrong reasons.

“I used to go up to mountain ledge to drink and I drove up there one day with every intention of driving off,” Barsema told Encore Careers.

Living in Alaska at the time, Barsema fought the demons of alcoholism tooth and nail until coming to a final decision: end it all or find true purpose. After an encounter with God on that mountain ledge, he started the long journey to recovery and a productive existence.

So 20 years later, when a homeless man came banging on the door at his construction company in Rockford, Illinois, Barsema was compelled to do something unexpected. He got involved.

With nothing more than a paid assistant, a barely functioning coffee pot and a dozen donuts, Barsema opened The Carpenter’s Place, a faith-based homeless outreach. When eight “chronically homeless” walked through the door that first day, Barsema looked at his helper and asked, “They’re here. Now what do we do?”

Another 10 years has passed and Barsema’s construction company is a distant memory. Instead, he spends all of his time devoted to the nonprofit organization that has served an approximate 10,000 people and helped an average of 300 people a year gain stable housing—most of which are also now employed.

“We find that we can help individuals get on the first rung of the ladder and they gain their self-esteem back,” Barsema said. “They gain their motivation to progress further.”

Barsema has also created Community Collaboration, a group that takes the systems he has created over time and shares them with other outreach centers. In fact, over 140 agencies in five states use his tools and have collectively helped 80,000 people get off the streets.

“I don’t do anything amazing or astounding,” Barsema said. “I’m just an average Joe who was a construction worker. But what I do is take folks that are really good at designing databases or really good at case management or really good at addiction and health stuff and put them together and let them do their thing.”

Chilean Miners

It was the kind of real life drama that gives Hollywood screenwriters goose bumps and claustrophobics nightmares. In one of the year’s most compelling stories, 33 miners were miraculously rescued after spending an unprecedented 69 days trapped 2,300-feet underground as the result of cave-in at the San Jose copper-gold mine near Copiapo, Chile.

An estimated one billion people from around the world watched the live rescue that commenced on October 13, 2010 and was completed roughly 22 hours later. Ingenious engineers used a tall capsule called Fenix 2 to lift each man out of a narrowly drilled tunnel.

Just as impressive as the rescue efforts was the miners’ resiliency and will to survive. Living in a 540-square foot emergency shelter (and eventually evacuating to a smaller tunnel space), the men shared limited food supplied, dug for underground water sources and kept spirits high even during the first 17 days when there was no contact from above.

“We knew that if society broke down we would all be doomed,” Mario Sepulveda told reporters. “Each day a different person took a bad turn. Every time that happened, we worked as a team to try to keep the morale up.”

For more than two months, the miners survived on a 48-hour ration that included two spoonfuls of tuna, a sip of milk, a biscuit and a morsel of peach. They also organized a long list of tasks, regular exercise and prayer groups to both pass the time and maintain a sense of hopefulness.

“As a group we had to keep faith, we had to keep hope,” Florencio Avalos said. “We had to all believe that we would survive.”

Philippe Croizon

Imagine a disease or freak accident taking one of your limbs. What about two? What would happen if you lost all four? How would that change your life?

Frenchman Philippe Croizon can answer that question. In 1994, he was hit by a 20,000-volt charge from a power line doing a routine electrical job. The damage was so severe that doctors had no choice but to amputate both arms and both legs.

But rather than give up on life, Croizon decided to fight through the unimaginable circumstances. Inspired by a documentary he saw while in the hospital 16 years earlier, Croizon embarked on an incredible journey two years ago and began training 30 hours a week in a courage effort to swim the iconic English Channel.

On September 18, 2010, Croizon accomplished that feat and became the first quadruple amputee to do so. Aided by specially designed prosthetic flippers and a steely determination, the 42-year old finished the 21-mile swim in just under 14 hours—a full 10 hours ahead of schedule.

“I did it! It’s mad!” Croizon exclaimed to onlookers. “I’ve done this for myself, for my family, and for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life.”

Linda Fondren

Linda Fondren was frustrated seeing Mississippi consistently labeled America’s “fattest state”—six years to be exact. But it was the death of her 54-year old sister that ultimately pushed her into some serious action.

“Cancer took her life but obesity prevented her from living it.” Fondren told CNN.

Armed with love for her sister and concern for her fellow citizens, Fondren launched a grassroots program last fall called “Shape Up Vicksburg” in an effort to help her hometown lose weight and get healthy.

The local gym owner spearheaded a 17-week challenge that has since turned into a walking club. Through other activities such as jogging, fitness classes, yoga and workshops on nutrition, stress, cooking and disease prevention, Fondren has been instrumental in over 15,000 pounds lost among the Vicksburg community.

Fondren is hopeful that her efforts will take root not just in Vicksburg, but as well as all across the state. She cites the fact that five of the 10 leading causes of death and disability in the United States are closely linked to obesity including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

“Our vision is to end this epidemic and help our citizens become healthy and stay healthy,” Fondren said. “We are committed to reaching every member of the community, regardless of age, size, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.”

Salvatore Augustine Giunta

While most war heroes are left unsung, there are occasionally those who receive significant recognition for brave action taken during the heat of battle. Such is the case with U.S. Army staff sergeant Salvatore Augustine Giunta who was awarded the Medal of Honor on November 16, 2010.

Giunta became the first living recipient of the military’s highest decoration for valor since the Vietnam War and just the fourth soldier from the War in Afghanistan. Giunta and seven other troops from the 1st Platoon were nearing the end of a day-long assignment when approximately 10 to 15 insurgents ambushed them from about 30 feet away. The enemy was armed with AK-47 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and PKM machine guns.

“There were more bullets in the air than stars in the sky,” Giunta later told reporters. “They’re above you, in front of you, behind you, below you. They’re hitting in the dirt early. They’re going over your head. Just all over the place. They were close—as close as I’ve ever seen.”

Remarkably, Giunta was one of the only men who didn’t take a hit. Instead, he quickly jumped into action in an effort to save his five fallen comrades. He put himself in harm’s way to protect his brothers in arms and stopped three Afghanis from dragging his friend and team leader Sergeant Joshua Brennan away from the scene. Brennan tragically died in surgery the next day.

But what makes Giunta unique isn’t the medal that was placed around his neck. It’s his reluctance to talk about the heroic deeds and even greater reluctance to accept the historic accolades.

“In this job, I am only mediocre,” Guinta told reporters. “I’m average. And coming and talking about it and people wanting to shake my hand because of it, it hurts me, because it's not what I want…I did what I did because in the scheme of painting the picture of that ambush, that was just my brush stroke. That’s not above and beyond. I didn’t take the biggest brush stroke, and it wasn’t the most important brush stroke.”

Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano is best known for her starring roles in the hit television shows “Who’s The Boss” and “Charmed,” but the former child actor turned Hollywood diva hasn’t let the lifelong success go to her head.

Instead, Milano is using her celebrity to raise awareness and cash for Charity Water, an organization that builds wells and creates infrastructure in developing nations that lack access to clean water. Last year, she launched a program via Twitter and her blog that encouraged fans to donate money for her 37th birthday. As a result, 1,419 people collectively donated $92,568 that brought clean water to nearly 5,000 Ethiopians.

Leading up to her 38th birthday on December 19, 2010, Milano ramped up her social networking skills once again hoping to top the previous year’s impressive numbers.

“I have almost a half a million followers, so it allows you to reach that many people,” Milano told People. “What happens that makes Twitter so powerful is even if a fifth of those people get the word out to the people that are following them, you're really creating this amazing sort of cycle.”

The lack of clean water is a very real problem for an estimated one billion people. Milano was moved by the passionate message of hope delivered by Charity Water’s founder Scott Harrison. And while the veteran actress is the catalyst, she is quick to give credit and praise to her faithful followers that have likewise taken up the cause.

“The generosity – it just blows my mind,” she said. “People are donating a dollar, all the way up to like $4,000 just to feel good. And I think that that's an important thing. I think that everybody wants to give – they just don't really know how to go about doing it. So when you have something that's so easy to do like Charity Water, it really gives people an outlet to say, ‘Okay, this is great. I can do this’ and really give.”

Darius Nall

It’s not uncommon for football players to get banged up and bruised throughout the course of a season. Sometimes these gridiron warriors even require surgery to repair damage to their ankles, knees, shoulders—you name it.

University of Central Florida defensive end Darius Nall knows quite a lot about the operating room, but not for the typical athletic-related reasons. The more common procedures pale in comparison to what he experienced three summers ago when doctors removed a baseball-sized, malignant tumor from his right lung. It was a procedure that required three surgeries over seven weeks time—each one no less harrowing to the brave young man.

“Every surgery I went in for, I just hoped that I woke up,” Nall told the Orlando-Sentinel. “Yes, it was scary. I was scared. You don't expect to get hit with cancer when you're 19 years old. But it changed my outlook on life. It made me stronger.”

After taking a year off from football, Nall returned to the field last season but wasn’t quite the same player as before. Although he played in 13 games and contributed 12 tackles and four sacks, it was clear he wasn’t fully recovered; his long, winding scar wrapped around his torso as a reminder of what he once endured.

But this season, Nall has finally reclaimed the stamina, strength and speed he sported as a freshman. Playing in all 13 games, he tallied 31 tackles and a team-leading eight and a half sacks. His efforts were instrumental in leading UCF (10-3) to the Conference USA championship and an appearance in the Liberty Bowl.

And as important as Nall has been to his team on the field, it’s the inspiration he has provided to the players, coaches and fans that’s meant the most.

“This whole thing just changed how I look at life, whether it's at practice or just walking down the street. I don't want to miss anything now,” Nall said. “It was tough on my family, but everyone was just so positive, so I couldn't be any other way. At this point, it's not about any comeback. It's about how I can make our team better just the same as anyone else. They were there for me. I've got to be there now for them.”