ABC Action News and WEDU celebrate the 'Be More' awards

TAMPA - ABC Action News is proud to be partnering with WEDU to celebrate and honor the everyday heroes making a difference in our community. Today the 7th annual "Be More" awards took place at the Al La Carte Pavillion in Tampa. More than 500 people attended the event known as the "Academy Awards for non-profits." folks striving to be more brilliant, be more relevant and be more giving to help those in need.

Our Community Affairs Director, Lissette Campos, emceed the event along with Jack Harris. Ryan Nece delivered the keynote address, inspiring all to look for opportunities to lend a helping hand or random acts of kindness within our community.  ABC Action News teams up with the Ryan Nece Power of Giving Foundation to present the Be More Giving Award.  We had a dozen nominees, and Nece chose the three finalists who were honored today.  The finalists included Alison Payne, Dan & Nicole Long and Deronda Hills.

The winner of the Be More Power of Giving award was Deronda Hills. The Patient Care Technician at Tampa General Hospital was rewarded for going above and beyond the call of duty to care for Domestic Violence Survivor Audrey Mabrey.

When Deronda addressed the audience, she said "It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. And when I do my job, I do it from the heart."  The aspiring nurse received a standing ovation and was among hundreds of superstars that practice the act of "being more" every day.

There were a number of winners today, including "Starting Right Now," the organization that won the non-profit of the year.

To see all the winners, visit http://www.wedu.org/bemore/ .