Is Someone Who Volunteers To Help Others A Hero?

To me, being a hero is someone who risks his or her life to save others. So if someone is, say, a volunteer firefighter who risks it all to save lives, then yes, that person is a hero.

However, if someone performs volunteer work, such as by volunteering at a nursing home, an elementary school, or a soup kitchen, then are they a hero for doing so?

No, to me they're not. But they still have my respect. They may not be risking their lives to help others. But they are doing what they can to help individuals and the community.

 

If your job description is to do things that might save a life it's still your job. If you go above and beyond your responsibilities for someone when there is absolutely no obligation to do so, IMO that's different. If you're Secret Service and you take a bullet for the President that was your job. If you're a firefighter and you die saving a child or a pet that was your job. If you're a nobody and you give a complete stranger CPR you're a hero. Personally I think the word is overused.

 

I am fortunate to work online with a group of people who voluntarily give of their time and even their own money to help the victims of scammers and those who support them.
Many of these people take it upon themselves to spend time supporting victims who may be devastated by losing everything to the scammers. They do not have to do this, so to me they are hero's

 

I would have to say yes to your no. A person can be a hero in the context of someone they look up to as a mentor - someone you are grateful to for changing your life and inspires your days.