Extraordinary Ordinaries

For the music teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Temple Terrace, it's pretty easy for middle schoolers to buy into the guitar and ukulele.

*This story contains descriptions of self harm and suicide.* The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay assists people who are in crisis. Their training is one piece. Having lived through trauma, grief and crisis, and being able to relate to the caller goes even further.

The car line at South McKeel Elementary in Lakeland – like all school car lines – is a crazy time for parents. But one group of dads tries to make it fun throughout the entire month of October by dressing up in costumes every day. It's a tradition started by one father, who is now battling cancer. The rest of the dads stepped up, and are still carrying the tradition.

Owen, who is 4 years old, has mostly been familiar with harsh treatments and hospital rooms. But what he really loves is dirt. He is in the final stages of his leukemia treatment and spent a day doing what he wants to do when he grows up -- being a construction worker.

A mural, which features Jacquez Welch, greets everyone who files into the Northeast High football field where he collapsed in 2019. It's not only a tribute to his family, but it's also a reminder of how he died and brings awareness to a rare disease that went undiagnosed. 

A Tampa mom who become a Guardian Ad Litem noticed babies, who were were abused or exposed to drugs and taken to a hospital, were not receiving the love and attention they need. So, she created a program that allows visits to these children to hold them and provide that comfort.

While Officer Jimmie Bizzle is patrolling around the Tampa International Airport, he is also always looking for a way to help passengers. "Allow me, a law enforcement officer, to show I’m human as well."

Justin McNab runs the 'Razorz Edge' barber shop in Tampa, and it is truly remarkable that Justin is where he is when you look back at his humble beginnings. If it wasn't for his mother moving him across the country to Florida, he wouldn't be cutting the hair of some of the biggest names in sports.

A woodshop located inside a Lakeland senior community is sharpening residents mentally, physically and socially.  

Smash rooms have been growing in popularity, creating a safe space to destroy things -- which can also be therapeutic. One local woman opened a rage room in Clearwater after -- like many others -- had a stressful year in 2020.

Tonia Reed is a volunteer leader at Metropolitan Ministries. When she is not at the non-profit, she's leading a life of protecting others as a firefighter at Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek fire department.