If you travel to the Kentucky coalfields, you will find people who are exceptionally proud of their heritage and loyal to their neighbors. They’re people who are God fearing, hard working and always ready to lend a helping hand.

In that regard you might say that this week's Hometown Hero is the girl next door.

A resident of Martin County to the hilt, Carol Sue knows the shot of adrenaline the Martin County Kiwanis Christmas Basket giveaway gives to those less fortunate in the county.

"Some of these families, it's the only Christmas they will have. Only food, only toys 400 families,” Carol Sue said.

Carol Sue has been calling the Kiwanis Club to order every Thursday since these Sheldon Clark High Soccer girls were in diapers, all the while planning for the betterment of Martin County.

She is the backbone, if it weren't for her, we would not accomplish what we have for her 14 years.

Those successes include not just the Christmas baskets, but scholarships for deserving cardinal students.

"Because of the apple days and harvest festival, we were able to present 6,000 to food baskets, most ever,” Carol Sue said.

Of course, getting people to donate their time and treasure can take some doing, but that's where Carol Sue's irresistible charm goes to work.

"She gets speakers, sells ads, makes up schedules for harvest festival. She will say, Thelma, I want you to use your heart, and when she says things like that, you can't refuse her," Carols Sue’s friend Thelma Moore said.

"Without Kiwanis and volunteers this couldn't happen. This award is for everyone in county who helps us," Carol Sue said.

It's with tears and hugs and a special Hometown Hero cake that we honor Carol Sue this weekend.

Registration for this year's Kiwanis Christmas Basket Giveaway began Friday at the Roy F. Carter Community Center and will continue next week. Carol Sue and her club will be drive though Santa’s again this Christmas.

If you would like to nominate someone for a Hometown Hero you can write us a letter about that person or send us an e-mail. Our address in Charleston is 111 Columbia Avenue and in Huntington we are at P.O. Box 2115 and our e-mail address is news@wsaz.com or you can just click on the "hometown hero" link on our webchannel.