Know Someone Making A Difference? Tell Us Their Story

PENNSYLVANIA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. Do you know a person in your community who's stepping up to make a difference?

Patch has partnered with Ring to shine a spotlight on the neighborhood heroes who are making a difference in their communities, whether it's the clerk at your local grocery store who went above and beyond to help you, the nurse who tended a sick family member or the stranger who showed you a moment of kindness.

We want you to tell us about them, so we can let the community know. Share their story here.

Here's a look at some of amazing Pennsylvania local heroes who have been recently nominated:

Chip Panico is "the single most selfless person in Lansdale, says Jane Friel, who nominated Panico for his work in organizing and giving food donations around the local area. "Chip has made sure that no child would go hungry during the pandemic. He has given thousands of meals to children who are normally fed through school program," she writes. Learn more here.

Marcella Sowell-Hemingway, a healthcare worker, is a COVID-19 survivor who spent 20 days in quarantine during her battle and recovery. After she recovered, she went right back to work helping others. Learn more here.

ICU nurse Tammy Nealy was nominated as a local hero by the family of a man who recently died from the coronavirus. "She held his hand for seven hours until he took his last breath. She's our hero," the Spitko family wrote. Learn more here.

Joe Gentile of Levittown was nominated by Rico Rodriguez. Gentile cared for Rodriguez when he was at St. Mary Medical Center for 51 days being treated for the coronavirus — 37 of those days on a ventilator.

"He prayed with me and really comforted me emotionally through the most difficult time of my life," Rodriguez said. He called him the "Superman of nurses." Learn more here.

Heather Markland nominated her daughter Ella Markland, an eighth grader who is using her cupcake decorating lessons to raise money for a local food pantry. Learn more.

Go here to see more inspiring stories about your Pennsylvania local heroes.

>>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.