Nine Chained Stars

Josette Duran was surprised when her son started asking for an extra lunch every day. He said, “Mom, it’s for this boy at school. He sits by himself and all he eats is a fruit cup.” So the New Mexico mom packed two lunches every day. When the other boy’s mom found out, she tried to pay it back, saying, “I know it isn’t much, but I just got a job.” Josette wouldn’t accept a cent. “Just a few years ago,” she says, “We were homeless, living in my car. We were washing in public bathrooms and we didn’t have food.” Josette didn't stop there. She and the volleyball team she coaches raised more than $400, and the check went straight to the cafeteria. “We paid up all the past due accounts for all the kids that need lunch. Now no one in that school owes any lunch money to anybody, and everybody can eat,” she said.