Heroes

One of my favorite parts of doing charity work over the past 30 years has been meeting extraordinary people from all walks of life, religions, races, and socioeconomic levels.

As I traveled more than a million miles, I met people of every race, religion, shape, size, and color. Everyone from peasants to Presidents, beggars to billionaires, newborn babies to 100+-year-olds.

In the poorest places on our planet, I met hundreds of our partner doctors, nurses, social workers, surgeons, and administrators who devote their lives to helping the poor. I was always humbled and inspired by their commitment and devotion to their patients and their families.

I met thousands of children and parents who were the poorest people living in the poorest areas of the world’s poorest countries. Most were living without water or electricity, in caves, on small fishing boats, or in shacks and huts made out of tin, cinder blocks, sticks, mud, or cow dung.

Here in the U.S, I traveled far and wide to raise money for our programs. Our donors come from all walks of life. Young and old, rich and poor, liberal and conservative. About the only thing our donors had in common is that they cared about helping kids and adults they will never meet. Mother Teresa used to say there is nothing so satisfying as helping someone who can never repay you.

In this My Heroes section, I recognize and thank just a few of the most incredible, inspiring, and extraordinary heroes I met along the way.
People I will never forget – and can never repay. " Brian F. Mullaney - Co-Founder of Smile Train.