Everywhere in the world, we can observe and be touched by acts of kindness. People from all walks of life, faiths, and cultures extend themselves beyond the call of duty to help others unconditionally. Through their noble deeds, humanity as a whole is elevated.

To commend virtuous actions and encourage more people to be inspired by their examples, Supreme Master Ching Hai has lovingly created a series of awards, including the Shining World Leadership Award, Shining World Compassion Award, Shining World Hero and Heroine Awards, Shining World Honesty Award, Shining World Protection Award, Shining World Intelligence Award, and Shining World Inventor Award, to recognize some of the most exemplary, generous, caring, and courageous people who walk amongst us.

I’ve always emphasized not to judge persons on the way they look. You judge them from what’s in your heart. I always say, “If you don’t have it in your heart, then your mind doesn’t matter.” It’s just how life is. But with what you have, you got to make the best of it, and build on that.

Halo, courteous viewers, and welcome. Today, we have the pleasure of getting to know Mr. Faron Hall.

Mr. Hall, formerly homeless and dependent on alcohol, has made great changes in his life. He now has housing and has completed a program to free himself of addictions. This brilliant transition began around the period that Faron Hall risked his life not once, but twice, to save others in separate events of distress. It was a beautiful summer day in May 2009 when passerby Marion Willis witnessed the first rescue.

I was walking across the Provencher Bridge, on a Sunday afternoon. I saw three young guys, kind of chasing the sun and trying to cross the bridge and they were just having fun.

One of the teenagers, Joey Mousseau attempted to leap across a gap from the traffic lanes to the adjacent pedestrian bridge. To the horror of those around him, Joey didn’t make the jump safely and fell into the strong currents of the river below.

Of course we ran to the other side of the bridge in time to see our dripping wet national hero that we all know to be Faron Hall.

Faron Hall and his friend Wayne Spence had been sitting below the Provencher Bridge when he saw Joey take the plunge into the icy river. Risking his own life, Mr. Hall immediately jumped into the frigid waters, swimming at an angle against the current to reach the boy, who was being quickly carried away by the rapids. Upon reaching Joey some 30 meters from the bank, Mr. Hall had to prevent the panicked teen from pushing them both underwater. He managed to coax Joey into turning onto his back and was then able to get both of them safely back ashore.

And here I’m the guy who took swimming lessons in grade seven to learn how to swim. I guess when you see somebody in grave peril at the time, you don’t think about if I can swim or not.

At the time I didn’t even think, “What am I doing?” I just saw somebody who needed help. I was thinking, “Oh there is somebody’s child out there. I did it on like parental instinct.

I just did what a human being who cares. I hope, I wish if I was in the position, someone would jump in and save me.

Moreover, Mr. Hall credits his friend Wayne Spence for saving his life and that of Joey’s.

I was so tired, and I was cold, and I was going down. My friend Wayne, he actually saved us both, but that’s the part that’s not mentioned that much.

The humble Faron Hall also attributes his timely act of courage as Heaven’s way of giving him a fresh start in life.

For me to be there at the time, maybe it was divine intervention. Because this young lad, he had his whole life ahead of him and for me to give him another chance at living his life, and I hear today he’s doing good with himself. And in a way he helped me with my inner self, to give me a second chance of life.

After this, I just realized how precious life is. At the time people, my friends, or just complete strangers on the street they’d say, “If it happened again, would you do it again?” And I’d think, “I don’t know, it’s hard to say. Like you have to be in that situation at the time.”

Then it happened again. And then it happened again.

Indeed, it was not long after on September 4, 2009 that Mr. Hall was with three other friends, at the river bank area near Norwood Bridge, when one of his companions, Tara Lynn Beardy, fell into the water. One of their friends, Chris Harper, quickly jumped in to try to help her, but both were struggling to stay afloat as neither knew how to swim.

It was just like déjà vu all over again, and I couldn’t stand there. I knew there were two people there.

Again, without a second thought to his own safety, Mr. Hall jumped into the river, where he grabbed both Tara and Chris. But the current was too strong, so he could only save one at a time. After pulling Tara back to shore, he quickly went back for Chris.

The current looked really calm on the surface, but when I went under looking for Chris, it was just awful under; dark and scary.

Despite the freezing waters and his exhaustion, Mr. Hall repeatedly dove underwater in search of his friend. Tragically, Chris succumbed to the fast flowing river. However, Tara Lynn Beardy’s life was saved, thanks to Mr. Hall and his selfless bravery.

Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television, the Shining World Hero Award series featuring Mr. Faron Hall will continue after these brief messages.

I know there’s good in people out there. Hopefully this way I can enlighten somebody. I am not no one special, I am just a regular person. I just hope I make a difference, I am trying my best with what I have.

I’m honored to know Faron Hall. I’m humbled by the teachings that he’s provided.

Faron has taught me to see the humanity. He’s reminded me of the humanity, and the good that there is in all of us.

Welcome back to today’s Shining World Hero Award program. Due to his life-saving deeds, many call Faron Hall a hero, the Guardian Angel of the Red River. But he had never sought recognition for what he considered was just a natural act of helping out another person.

For all the accolades, all the medals, I’d trade that, no question, if I can have my friend back. I know Chris is looking down on me, and saying, “You knew, Faron, you tried but things didn’t turn out.”

Like he probably did what I did. He didn’t think about it, and I commend him for that because he’s the real hero. He’s a hero because he tried.

In recognition of his courageous efforts, Supreme Master Ching Hai recognized Mr. Faron Hall with the Shining World Hero Award. Numerous media were in attendance at the press conference that was organized to honor Mr. Hall.

A framed letter of commendation and a crystal plaque from Supreme Master Ching Hai was presented to Mr. Hall. In addition, Mr. Hall was gifted with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s #1 international best selling books, “The Noble Wilds,” “The Birds in My Life,” “The Dogs in My Life” and various other publications.

It’s overwhelming response, positive, still trying to digest all this in my brain. And to have such a noble organization honor me with a plaque it’s overwhelming and I’m really appreciative. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever expected recognition to this high esteem, and it’s something that I’m going to remember. Every time I look at it, it gives me a sense of pride. It makes me proud to wake up in the morning, happy to wake up knowing it changed my life; two young people there, who I was fortunate enough to help out to the best.

A Hero Jacket designed by Supreme Master Ching Hai was also custom-made for Mr. Hall. True to his selfless nature, he had in turn given the jacket to a homeless person in need of it to provide protection from the bitter cold. Mr. Hall expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Supreme Master Ching Hai, thank her, I wish to thank her, and it means a lot to me. And I’ll never forget this encounter. This, I’ll show with pride to anyone. Someday I’m going to have grandchildren, and they’re going to say, “Grandpa, what is that?” And I’m going to be very proud to explain to them and let them know the story, and let them know the triumph and the tragedy so they can understand. I went through the down side, and now I’m going through the good side, and I’ve always said the good is very well outweighing the bad. Let good spirits guide you. Think positive, and good things will come.

Supreme Master Ching Hai had also made a contribution of US$2,000 to the Faron Hall National Fund for the Homeless, in which Mr. Hall had selflessly requested it be donated to the Main Street Project, a homeless shelter.

I would also note that the Faron Hall National Fund for the Homeless, that it was the Supreme Master Ching Hai Association that stepped forward and with a rather significant contribution to the fund.

At the Main Street Project, we’ve been working in Winnipeg for almost 40 years now. We are the only shelter in town that would accept people regardless of their condition. And that's a special challenge, but also a special honor, and we see it that way. We have about 1,300 different people in a year who will sleep in this room that we are standing in right now. And we are really proud today that Faron came and gave us a little recognition. It means a lot to us.

Hopefully, this contribution here will ease the burden on people here who depend on the facility. I know I’ve come to depend on it a few occasions and for me to be here right now in front of my friends who I’ve seen here makes me happy and it makes me proud to say, “I’ve been there, I’ve seen it.”

As Mr. Hall rebuilds and overcomes the obstacles in his own life, he continues to touch the lives of others through his humble heart and assistance to homeless people. In closing, he shares some valuable insight he has gained through his life experiences.

To me that’s a very important aspect of human nature, you show respect. You respect a flower or a bumblebee or you respect a person. Because once you have that respect and you receive that respect then you can go places. It’s all how you use that in a positive way If you have a dream, if you have something in the back of your mind that you really wanted to do, go after that dream, because you work hard at it, you’ll fulfill that dream.

We thank Mr. Faron Hall for your humility, courage and selfless example of brotherly love. Praised be your compassion and giving spirit which brightens the lives of fellow beings.

Joyful viewers, it was a pleasure to have your presence for today’s Shining World Hero Award series. Up next on Supreme Master Television is Words of Wisdom, right after Noteworthy News. May your days radiate with happiness and inner peace.