One by one, they were honored on stage and awarded for going above and beyond to help others.
They are some of Spectrum Bay News 9's Everyday Heroes.
- "Everyday Heroes" stories air every Monday
- Seven "heroes" honored with special awards
- "Salute to Everyday Heroes" will air on April 1
"I just know I'm doing a good thing and it makes me feel good," said Kiana Lollis, who received the Young Hero Award.
On Tuesday, March 27, seven received awards at the annual Salute to Everyday Heroes luncheon.
"When you have a chance to gather people together, who take of their own time and their own money, to do something for our community to give back in a variety of ways, I think these folks deserve a day for us to say 'thanks' and for us to honor them," said Spectrum News Group Vice President South Alan Mason.
The afternoon's biggest honor, "Hero of the Year," went to a long-time volunteer, Kristine Berry. A cancer survivor who has had two transplants and suffers from blindness, Berry has devoted her life to help other patients overcome their struggles.
"It's a bit overwhelming," Berry said. "What I do is just minor you know. I don't have a degree. I'm not a nurse. I'm not a doctor."
But Berry does have an innate gift of helping others and giving them a reason to fight.
"It just gives me a purpose of doing something and a reason to be up first thing in the morning," Berry said.
Awards were handed out in seven categories, including public service, education and viewer's choice.
Spectrum Bay News 9 will air the awards ceremony in its entirety on Sunday, April 1 at 4 p.m.