To captivate the minds of a room full of middle school girls, who rarely keep their mouths shut, takes a real hero. Bearettes Director Craig Jennings is the focus of the week's Jennifer's Heroes.

University of Virginia Police Officer Donald Short is retiring from the department. Short spent 55 years working in public service, starting in Nassau County, New York. Short later moved to Charlottesville where he would become the University's first ever bike officer in the early 1990's.

Many people will spend the last day of 2009 recalling their favorite moments of the past twelve months. Others, like this week's hero Becky Silver, will be anxiously awaiting a happier and healthier 2010.

A few minutes and a few bucks are all most guys need for a haircut. However, one man is offering free haircuts for the men at Mountainside Senior Living in Crozet. Jennifer Black profiles volunteer barber Robert Barnett in this week's Jennifer's Heroes.

This week's Jennifer's Heroes profiles a local singer/songwriter/pianist who is passing on his talents by volunteering his time and expertise at the Music Resource Center in Charlottesville.

Charlottesville's Toy Lift has come a long way in 21 years. Even as organizer Tom Powell grows older, his dedication to making sure every child has a Christmas grows stronger. This week, Jennifer's Heroes took a closer at the man behind the lift.

There is no shortage of organizations that need help from the community. In this week's Jennifer's Heroes we got a behind-the- scenes look at the MS Society's Dinner of Champions, where there is no shortage of heroes.

Jennifer's Heroes honors an unsung hero in our community, and with Veteran's Day on Wednesday this week, what better time to recognize a hero who fought for our country.

You have heard it before, every time someone donates blood, it saves three lives. Well, that means this week's hero has had a hand in saving the lives of over 100 people.

Central Virginia is packed with places to take in a scenic stroll, but an ambitious Earlysville woman wanted to take it a step further. This week's hero took her backpacking hobby an extra mile--2,178 miles to be exact.

Meals on Wheels Programs span across the country in neighborhoods big and small. In this week's Jennifer's Heroes the Newsplex's Jennifer Black introduces us to a woman who saw a need in her community and sprung into action.

Neighbors helping neighbors is a simple concept. Next week, all across the country, volunteers have set up events for USA Today's "Make A Difference Day". One local student is using the national event to improve food banks in our area and nationwide.

Imagine living more than 20 years with a severe speech impediment, and then one day learning you have a brain tumor. Those struggles are just the start of one Charlottesville mother's story. This week we learn that actions really do speak louder than words.

There's no cure and it's terminal. Alzheimer's Disease affects more than 35 million people worldwide. Despite the challenges that come with it, one local man is using his experiences to empower others.

For years people in Nelson County have been tossing around the idea of building a skate park of their own. This week's hero, Tim Gorman, took it upon himself to get the wheels rolling.

Two businesses in Charlottesville, CB Richard Ellis and Cappellino's Crazy Cakes, team up once a month to do what they can to give back to the community.

This week's hero is a man who is stepping out of his comfort zone and into a pair of women's shoes to put an end to sexual violence.

In this week's Jennifer's Heroes, Jen Black introduces us to a local couple who lost their son to one of the most life-threatening childhood cancers. However, their son's battle was just the beginning of their fight.

A few balls of yarn, a knitting needle and a big heart; those are the tools a group of women use to touch the lives of others in our community. They are a group of inspiring women who are this week's hero.

This week's Jennifer's Heroes features a woman who takes her love of animals out of the Veterinary Clinic and into the living room.

This week's hero is a woman who combines her affection for horses with a love of helping children and adults in our area with disabilities. Sarah Daly spreads joy through the Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy Program.

The job title of Ethan Tate is Program Director, but the passion he pours into his work with the Building Goodness Foundation earns him a different title, that of a hero.

This week's Jennifer's Heroes focuses on the story of a selfless teen who travels over 100 miles to our area to spend time with kids living with special health needs. Camp Holiday Trails in Albemarle County is a haven for heroes. The campers, councilors, and volunteers each have an inspiring story.

Mason Thomas is a name you may not remember but a face not easy to forget. This week's hero can be found sinking putts, hoping that will sink cancer once and for all.

For years we have known that dogs can be trained to provide physical assistance to those in need, and now their abilities are being put to another use via Diabetic Alert Program from Service Dogs of Virginia.