DIRECTV’s Hometown Heroes proves there’s still “kind” in “humankind”

Who says Americans have no heart?  If you watch the nightly news, you may think that’s the case.  But a DIRECTV exclusive that’s been quietly ascending the ratings charts proves that sentiment wrong.  And, man, is it refreshing.

Now in its second season, The 101 Network’s Hometown Heroes showcases members of the DIRECTV customer family who do good, and leaves the crime run-down to your local news anchors.  In each 30-minute episode, host Joan Lunden explores the generosity, kindness and bravery of three individuals who donate their time and energy to helping others.  From feeding abandoned animals to running a summer camp for kids affected by HIV/AIDS, these people have gone beyond the call of duty to make their hometowns a better place.

In this week’s episode, we meet Scott Silverman, a California man who has dedicated his life to giving others a second chance.  A suicide survivor, Silverman is now the founder and executive director of a nonprofit aimed at providing employment training and mental health support for people trying to escape lives of drugs, crime and despair.  After all, Silverman knows better than anyone how powerful a second chance can be.

Then Lunden moves across the country to Boston, Mass. where animal lover Alan Borgal has been saving creatures large and small from cruelty and neglect for more than 30 years.  In conjunction with the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Borgal breaks up illegal puppy mills, rescues abused circus animals and helps abandoned pets find safe, loving homes.  If you have a beloved four-footer in your life, you don’t want to miss Borgal’s heartwarming story.

And finally, it’s on to Kalamazoo, Mich. where two young siblings following their father on his rounds as a pediatric surgeon saw the loneliness in his young patients’ eyes and launched Crayons 4 Kids, a nonprofit that distributes crayons, games and toys to hospitalized children all over the U.S.

DIRECTV also opens the floor for nominations from other DIRECTV subscribers.  So if your neighbor down the street is doing something good and deserves a pat on the back, let DIRECTV know and you may see him on Hometown Heroes next season.

For a little positive news to start your week off right, tune in to The 101 Network Sunday mornings at 9 (ET/PT) and catch up on the feel-good stuff before heading out into the world.  You’ll be glad you did.

Catch Hometown Heroes, a DIRECTV exclusive, Sundays at 9 a.m. ET/PT on The 101 Network.  Get great DIRECTV deals from Direct Star TV, a preferred DIRECTV online retailer.