Atlanta Holiday Heroes 2012

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's annual Holiday Heroes stories highlight the work of community members who make our neighborhoods and towns better, safer, kinder and healthier. They are among the best, but certainly not the only, examples of people who practice the holiday spirit of giving year round.  Each of these people, nominated by friends, family members, co-workers and people they have helped, gets a $150 gift card from PNC Bank.

Here are this year's winners:

Becky Dowling: Woman builds social setting for disabled adults

Shamichael Traylor and Diana Hurst: Nurses's nonprofit gives cancer patients extra help

William "Buck" Godfrey: Teacher and coach to generations of DeKalb County students

Jean Haworth: PAWS Atlanta volunteer makes dogs more adoptable

Frankie Hopper: 'Doing what I'm supposed to'

Jean Pittman: Toys and tidings of good health

The Mercer brothers: Helping students communicate

Ingvald Larson: Helping the least of these

Joanna Snider: Former teacher's mission is to feed hungry students

Rex Michel: An answered prayer to those in need