VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Every week, News 3 honors someone in our community who is going above and beyond to make things better for those around them.
The top twelve Everyday Heroes were invited to have lunch at Cinema Café in Virginia Beach, where we chatted with them and heard their stories.
Our community partner, Southern Bank, makes all of this possible.
“There are good people out in the community doing great things, and I think recognizing that is a spectacular thing to do, and it's necessary," said Trent Dudley of Southern Bank. "There’s a lot of negative news out there, so honoring good deeds and good people is a special thing to do," he added.
Southern Bank provides the money and resources so that we can give these heroes $300 gift cards every week. For the yearly Humanitarian Award, they award one community superstar a grand prize of $2,500 along with a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
News 3 viewers voted online at WTKR.com for their favorite Everyday Hero, and the winner is (drumroll, please):
"It's such an honor, and we’re so thankful to be able to spread the word about Operation Christmas Child. That’s why I was glad I was nominated, so we could get the word out to more people," said Ashberry.
Watch our initial coverage of Ashberry: Mathews Elementary School teacher sends care packages to children worldwide
Since 2020, the Mathews County kindergarten teacher has sent 11,000 care packages to children across the globe.
“Operation Christmas Child fills shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items and school supplies. They go to 100 countries around the world," Ashberry said humbly.
Amy Ashberry is our 2025 Humanitarian Award winner, and she is Positively Hampton Roads.
You can view the 11 other nominated Everyday Heroes below:
1. Yolanda Stoner, a community activist who lost her son to gun violence
2. Lillian Carpenter, a beloved Norfolk crossing guard
3. Jane Hobbs, an advocate for people with special needs
4. Alex Seaver & Erin Bennett, a couple who saved a neighbor from a stabbing
5. Ernest Park & Austin Graves, two Regent University students who flew supplies to hurricane victims
6. Ian Arnett & Kellen Good, two teens who saved a life while surfing
7. Ramona Chandler, a Virginia Beach Aid Now volunteer
8. Gabriel Journey, a sailor who saved lives during a Norfolk apartment fire
9. Major Metzger, a 10-year-old who saved a 6-year-old from falling off a ski lift
10. Jenny Kennard, a nurse who began an initiative to protect new moms
11. Vada Carawan, a Girl Scout who saved her father's life while he was having a heart attack
