My 2009 Hometown Hero Contest

First Runner Up in the 2009 Hometown Hero Contest sponsored by Village Realty on the Outer Banks of NC is Janice Cline from Thompsontown, PA.

Both Janice and her nominee win a free three night stay (off season) at a vacation home managed by Village Realty. Here is her story:

"My hero is my son, William Cline.

I've been a single mother since he was 4 years old. Times were tough; I worked 2 jobs most of the time to pay the bills and keep food on the table. Bill was always happy to see me when I got home, never rebellious, never acted out because of my working long hours or his parents' divorce. As he was growing up, he helped me with chores, he always wanted to help.

By the time he was 14, he wanted a job. He said he needed a job to help me so I wouldn't have to spend money on him; he could buy his own things. So, he got a job at the local restaurant washing dishes. He worked as much as the law would allow him to at that age. Even though I felt guilty (extreme guilt) that my 14 yr old son was working, I was also bursting with pride that he cared so much, was mature enough to want to help and contribute.

He has maintained a job ever since. When he was 17, he started working for the local grocery store after school and weekends. He worked full time after high school graduation while attending college full time. He completed 2 years of Police Science/Criminal Justice. He then obtained a full time job with the county Sheriff's Department. At the age of 20, my baby was carrying a gun to his job. Scared yes, but again, I was bursting with pride. He graduated from the Sheriff's Academy in May 2008. He continues to work for the Sheriff's Dept.

Bill is also extremely active with the town's fire department. He participates in anything and everything the fire department does. He's dedicated to his fellow volunteers and to the community. He sells sandwiches door-to-door to raise money, he'll help serve the spaghetti dinner, and he’ll clean up the grounds after the annual car show....whatever is needed. He's always there to help......whoever needs it.

Bill's faith in God is amazing. One that I admire greatly and so wish I had. He gave his life to God when he was 13........stood in front of the church, cried and said he wanted to be a Christian. I don't think his faith has faltered since. I feel inferior around him at times; I often wonder how or why I received such an awesome and terrific young man as my son. Many days I feel that I don't deserve such a gift as Bill, but I do know without him my life would have been so different. Because of him, I wanted to be a better person, someone he would look up to and admire.

Bill has touched so many lives already with his awesome personality, his helpfulness, his charity, his grace, his love of life, his love for people, his love for God. He saved me from a life of self-destruction.

Because of Bill, I am a better person, Bill is my saving grace.

Bill is my hero."

Janice Cline

Become our Facebook Fan

Other Noteable Contestants:
Our 2009 Hometown Hero
First Runner Up: Janice Cline
Runner Up: Fran Ricketts
Runner Up: Maureen Kehoe

Contact Village Realty:
Phone: (800) 548-9688
Fax: (252) 480-4775
Email: E-Mail