Ivan was terrible; neighbors were wonderful!(The Goodness Of America)

The city of Pensacola, Florida, sat right in the path of last September's Hurricane Ivan and suffered severe damage. But the aftermath of the storm was replete with so many stories of heroism and self-sacrifice that the Pensacola News Journal took nominations for "Heroes during Hurricane Ivan." One pair of nominees so reported to the newspaper was Morgan and Jerry Shelton, whose real estate company was damaged by the severe storm, causing them to move their business to their home.

The aftermath of the hurricane saw many homes and businesses destroyed, electrical power gone, and the basic necessities of life in short supply. People lined up for hours to receive bottled water and ice from emergency distribution centers set up by law enforcement officials and emergency workers, including national guardsmen.

Amidst this chaos, the Sheltons decided to do what they could to help their neighbors. They placed a sign in their front yard, reading: "Ice, drinks, hot meals. Free."

The Sheltons' neighbors, Judy and Gene Fawley, witnessed this generosity firsthand and nominated Morgan and Jerry for mention in the newspaper.

"They opened up their freezers and cooked everything they had," Mr. Fawley told the News Journal reporter. "People were encouraged to take food with them. It was just a remarkable giving on their part. One of the reasons we were compelled ...