They don a mask, are there just when you need them, and are always achieving something great! No, I’m not talking about the latest super hero movie, but about someone you know who does amazing tasks incognito: The Unsung Hero!

Heroes achieve something great, perhaps even near miraculous. They exhibit honorable qualities and act courageously. We admire and praise them. Unsung Heroes are the same—but different. They are not usually praised. There’s not a statue or a plaque with their names. They may act bravely, even unceasingly, and be there just when you need them. They often go unnoticed, working behind the scenes. They certainly don’t come flying in with a cape!

Right now is the perfect time to teach our children about Unsung Heroes, point them out in their native habitat, and help our children practice thanking them. Right now may also be when we are called to be Heroes ourselves. For such a time as this… (Esther 4:14).

The Helpers

The first step to spotting an Unsung Hero is to look for those people who are helping. As Fred Rogers shared in Mister Rogers Parenting, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” So, first look for those who are helping.

There are many whose jobs just naturally require helping. We can look there first: police, paramedics, medical staff, teachers, government workers, church staff, and more. Some are paid; some volunteer. In my small community, we depend on volunteer emergency staff.

However, we may have recently recognized that some jobs are really helping jobs: grocery staff and food service, sanitation workers, cleaners, customer service and other frontline workers (those who make products or interact with customers).

As a family, make up a list of helping jobs, start with those that have helped your family. Then in each category, try and write down one person you may know or interacted with recently.

The Role Models

Others are helpers because they are positive role models. Not so much in what they have achieved, but in how they do so—or how they live each day. Their character encourages the best in themselves and in others. This kind of helper doesn’t usually get a tangible reward for being a Hero. They behave that way because “it’s right to do.” There are some commonly agreed upon characteristics that make heroes “unsung.” Do a word study with your family. How are these words defined? How do you know this trait when you see it?

  • Humble
  • Empathetic
  • Courageous
  • Consistent

After defining these words, talk about them. Why do you think these characteristics make a Hero? Would you add any other traits to this list?

Now, as a family, think about the Unsung Heroes who have been displaying these traits “right under your nose!” Help your children think of people or family members who positively demonstrate these traits—no matter their occupation.

Say Thanks

Now it is creative time! How can we thank them? What can we do to let our heroes know we are grateful for the positive (and long-lasting) effect they’ve had on our lives? We must give careful thought in planning! Sometimes praise and accolades make Unsung Heroes embarrassed and quickly slide into invisibility cloaks (Remember that first character trait we discussed). Also, our current epidemic restrictions may make thanking a bit more challenging.

Those cautions should not keep us from thanking and applauding. As a family, brainstorm ideas. Choose a handful of people from your list and commit to thanking a few each week. Keep adding to your list as time goes by.)

Here are some ways I’ve seen Unsung Heroes honored recently (and some more ideas for parents to preview here. I hope these ideas spur some creative thinking. Consider digital or virtual options as well.

  • Send a thank you card or email. Have children write them or tell you what to say. If you use social media, consider creating a thank you message.
  • Create an Unsung Hero Award. Many organizations regularly honor individuals with such an award. Create your family’s own award digitally or in tangible form to give out. Or create a “Super Unsung Hero” poster—great when you’d like to thank a group of people or someone who has done “above and beyond.”
  • Create a Hero Wall. Put their pictures or a child’s drawing of them on display as a reminder. Send a photo of that to your Unsung Heroes.
  • Use the phone. Have children prepare talking points and call their recipient on the phone to thank them.
  • Put hearts on your windows (or chalk your sidewalk), facing the street. It’s a scavenger hunt which will encourage the undercover heroes in your neighborhood.
  • Make some noise. Talk about creative, individuals in many cities are standing on their balconies nightly, making loud noises to honor their community’s healthcare workers.

Meet Heroes’ Needs

Unsung Heroes are human and their tools get depleted. How can you support the heroes on your list? Here are some ideas to spur your own ideas.

Their physical needs.

Meet these needs by asking first. Helpers can keep on helping best if they have exactly what they need.

  • Check with your local helping agencies; they will likely have listed needs that your family can help meet. For example, some healthcare locations are accepting homemade masks. Rescue Mission organizations may need cleaning supplies.
  • Check with local news regularly to be made aware of needs and how you can help.
  • Donate to a helping organization in honor of your Unsung Hero.
  • Ask your hero’s friend what needs could be met (a gas card, a delivered basket of food or groceries, etc.) Close friends or coworkers will know ways to support—and perhaps you can do it together.

Their spiritual and emotional needs.

  • Keep heroes going by cheering them on and sharing your gratitude. Once you’ve thanked and encouraged someone, check in with them regularly to let them know that you still care. Ask them what’s hardest for them and let them know you’re eager to help.
  • Pray for the needs of those on your family’s Hero list. Thank God for them, too. Many organizations have recently created lists of prayer topics or specific prayers you can use as a guideline. Let your heroes know you’re praying for them. Use that Hero Wall as a regular reminder to pray and encourage.

The sky is the limit, really, in recognizing who you can encourage and be grateful for—people are coming up with new ones every day. And, I have a sneaking suspicion that you have some unsung heroes right in your own household. Tell them why they are, thank them, and encourage them to keep on being the people they were meant to be.

Keep your eyes peeled on our Rainbow Resource Facebook page! You’ll have an opportunity to share creative thank you ideas and what an Unsung Hero has done for you.

~ Ruth