Why: When Mary Andrews returned to Birmingham to care for her ailing mother, she quickly re-established herself in the community. As a Reading and English teacher within the Detroit public school system for 13 years, Mary was heavily involved with the Detroit Federation of Teachers. To utilize her talent, she became a certified Motheread instructor, and has volunteered to write grant applications for several 501(c) 3 organizations, most notably the Developmental Enhancement Life & Training Alliance (DELTA Inc.).

Through these endeavors, Mary continues to work tirelessly with middle school children, counseling them in several areas including abstinence and literacy, and is a tutor. She also volunteers her services to senior citizens by providing arts and crafts recreation services.

Rarely missing an opportunity to lend a hand to someone in need, Mary often spends her free time feeding the homeless through the Jimmie Hale Mission, and assisting with fellowship at her church, where she serves as scholarship chairperson.

Mary credits her loving heart and humanitarian drive to her parents, who were foot soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement. As a proud mother of two successful children, Mary raised her kids under the same belief she has lived by ever since it was instilled in her at Alabama A&M — "Service is sovereign."

Why: Wavey is a great example of someone who gives back to his community. As a physical education teacher in the Gaston County School System by day, he gives both time and money to a variety of causes throughout the Charlotte community. Through his involvement with Mission Gaston at Highland Hills, a two bedroom apartment turned into a church, Wavey helps feed, tutor, offer spiritual guidance, and provide outings for disadvantaged children in the community. Some of the outing participants have not traveled due to their family situations, so this is a real treat. Wavey always steps in to make sure these kids have everything they need.

In a neighborhood of many single mothers, some of the children look to Wavey as a father figure. He understands the struggles and adversity these children face each day as he too grew up in a single-parent household with very few positive male role models. His hope is to serve as that much needed role model for as many children as possible, empowering them to follow their dreams.

Wavey has been known to go outside with a microphone in 98 degree weather to entertain and host programs for the neighborhood children. Many say he sees potential and hope in them that others do not. He makes it a point to bring that out in every child he works with. Wavey's winnings have been donated to God's Hands Outreach Ministry, which also seeks to empower children growing up in single-parent households.

Why: Jeremiah is the social action chair of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, and organizes all community service activities for his chapter, including coordinating volunteers for the annual Healthy Kids Clinic, the Kidney Foundation, Annual Food Bank Turkey Drive, Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Drive for St. Jude's Hospital, the NAACP voter registration drives, and the NAACP Radio-thon membership drive. He also helps Habitat for Humanity rebuild New Orleans and participates in the Repairing the Breach Outreach program.

In 2007, Jeremiah decided to host the first ever Hill-Brown Family Reunion. He noticed the connection that was missing between the two families with a strong history, and decided it was time to bridge the gap between them. Jeremiah spent his own money to host family potluck meetings to gather support and host the first family reunion, which brought together more than 150 people for three days, and helped rebuild a family that had lost touch with one another.

This year, as he prepared to host the second Hill-Brown Family Reunion, Jeremiah has made it economically feasible for all family members to attend. This meant spending more of his personal funds, as well as soliciting money from family members who were able to give more.

This isn't the only time Jeremiah has gone out of his way to bring family together. Last year, Jeremiah and his wife, Jamilah, hosted Thanksgiving dinner for members of his family who did not have the means to have a nice meal on their own. Jeremiah is truly family-oriented and always seeks ways to bring people together.

Whether it's through church service events, his fraternity, or through his job, Jeremiah always takes time to give back to his family and community. Emphasizing that everyone has a responsibility to help others, Jeremiah believes we are all called to do our part in giving those in need. In doing his part, Jeremiah pledged to donate his winnings to Aspera, a non-profit community service organization through his fraternity.