Real Heroes from New Jersey

Many young boys dream of being the next Barry Bonds, LeBron James or Tom Brady; while many young girls dream of being the next J-Lo, Tyra Banks or Jessica Simpson. While those dreams are fine, I want the younger children of NJ to know that we have TRUE HEROES right here in NJ too.

On Saturday, Dec. 8th, it was an honor for me to meet Doctors Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins, otherwise known as "The Three Doctors" of the Three Doctors Foundation. The doctors' organization was holding their annual Spirit of Giving Holiday Basketball Event this year at Passaic High School in Passaic, NJ. There was no admission charge and all those in attendence were asked to kindly bring unopened toys to help less-fortunate families around the holidays. The event also helped to feed over 60 local families, while providing them with gifts for the holidays. It was a truly amazing sight to see. Their organization is top class, through and through.

For those unfamiliar with their story, while these doctors were teenage boys living on the tough streets of Newark, NJ, they made a pact with each other:

- They would stick together

- Go to college

- Become doctors

Everyone knows how tough the pressures and struggles of life in the inner city can be. As Dr. Jenkins addressed all those in attendence, "We were as low as you could possibly get. The gutter. If we could make it, then anyone can make it." Through it all, the three men stood firm in their mission and together became one of the most remarkable success stories of inspiration, dedication and determination. This is a great story in itself.

However, it doesn't end there. After the success of their first book, The Pact, a telling of their story, the doctors took it to another level. Gaining much popularity after appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show and other major network shows, the three doctors formed their foundation and have become some of the most sought after public speakers today.

With an amazing ability to reach children and inspire them. Showing today's youth that no matter how bad things appear, you can do anything you want to do, as long as you put your mind to it. Whether its being from a broken home, drugs, gang violence, no matter what, you can overcome anything, if you want it bad enough.

To quote a passage from their website. "Never underestimate the power of self-reliance and inner strength-attach a timeline and devise a strategy for achieving your goals-and finally-Surround yourself with like-minded people who are in line with your aspirations."

Not only have these men, beaten amazing odds, they have stayed together and give back so much to their community and other surrounding NJ communities. Whether to provide a positive influence to some of NJ's very tough neighborhoods or simply be an inspiration for our next generation.

You might say, can they really inspire people? It was fantastic to see a young man, a senior from Westwood, who is the class valedictorian, awarded for all the community work he has done because of how inspired he was after reading the doctors' book. Then it was a pair of cousins, just starting high school, getting awarded for going out to their community and creating a food drive to help the less fortunate members of their community.

These men are the REAL HEROES and the inspiration in our NJ community. The real role models our next generation should be looking up to. They show us all that anything is possible.

I kindly ask you to check out their foundation's website at: http://www.threedoctorsfoundation.org/

I also highly recommend that you pick up a copy of, "The Pact" and "The Bond", their latest book, at any major book retailer.

Take care all and God Bless.