My little brother, Johnny (Johnathon to most people) is a rather enterprising little boy, especially when it comes to doing good deeds for other people.

Johnny is now nine years old (soon to be nine-and-a-half come June 26; his birthday's the day AFTER Christmas), and he has suffered from significant health problems; yet, despite everything he has been through in his young life, he enjoys helping those who aren't as fortunate as he has been, even though HE'S the one who happens to be dying.

Johnny has Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and he is mostly in a wheelchair (but DOES walk with forearm crutches for shorter trips), but he has a good heart inside his tiny little body. He is a really good kid at heart, in other words.

Anyway, the cataclysmic events of September 11, 2001, had a profound affect on my little brother (as it did throughout the entire world), especially since he has a brother who happens to LIVE in New York City (Erick; I mentioned him earlier in another tale). Erick is 14, and he lives a few blocks AWAY from where the Twin Towers once stood, tall and proud. When he found out that Erick was still alive, he was, of course, very relieved, but he still felt bad for all those who died at the hands of the terrorists who so cruelly attacked our Great Nation that awful, terrible day. He especially felt bad for the little children who lost family members, and he felt equally bad for the police, EMTs, and firefighters who died trying to save those trapped inside the burning towers before they fell about an hour later.

He wanted to do something special for these people, in other words.

So, with the help of mommy and daddy, Johnny went around the neighborhood, collecting old and used toys (toys that were in good condition), clothes, and such; he wanted to give them to the kids who had lost loved ones on September 11. He also collected over $1,000 ON HIS OWN; he wanted to give the money to the firefighters, EMTs, and police, in the memory of those who had died trying to save others. When he got the items he needed, he went to the local fire station and to the local police station; and he left the toys and the money there--along with a note.

This was what the note had read:

Dear New York Cops, Firemen, and Paramedics, and also the peple of New York City:

My name is Johnny, and I am 9. I used to live in New York City as a littl baby. But I now live in Tenesee. Here is some moneys, and here are some toys for the kids who lost peple in the fire. I am sorry so many peple dieyed that day. I wish I could come to New York City and give you all BIG hugs and kisses! I also wish I could rebild the Towers. The Towers were beutifull. They DIDN'T have to fall! I wish the Two Towers were still standing! I miss them very much. I will keep you all in my prayrs. God bless evrybody there in New York City! Love, Johnny Sandusky, Nashville, TN (9 1/2, soon to be 10 on Decembr 26).

As a result of his good deed, Johnny was featured on our local tv news; people were moved by this courageous little boy and his desire to help those who were affected by September 11, 2001. He was also one of the front page news stories.

See? Do good, and others WILL reward you with your kind deeds! There ARE good people in this world, IF you know where to look and find them!!

And my little brother, Johnny, is about as good as they can possibly get!! He is a TRUE little hero in more ways than one!!