The Nation - News from Dec. 27, 1987

President Reagan paid tribute to “heroes” who help others, praising a teacher in Arkansas, a pensioner in Arizona and an engineer in Mississippi for their charitable work during the holidays. “Helping others is just our way, part of our national character,” Reagan said in his weekly radio address, which was pre-taped for the holiday. “Perhaps it reflects that we as a people not only enjoy this holiday every year as a time off from work, but also take to heart the spiritual meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah,” he said. Reagan cited the cases of David Rayl, of Bald Knob, Ark., an elementary schoolteacher who solicits corporate donations to help bring Christmas cheer to poor children; Ruth Heywood, 74, of Casa Grande, Ariz., who lives on her pension but each year solicits food and arranges transportation to provide holiday meals for the needy, and Bob Carver, an engineer in Vicksburg, Miss., who drives a truck each holiday season to raise money for the Salvation Army. Reagan and his wife, Nancy, will spend the New Year’s holiday at the Palm Springs estate of Walter H. Annenberg, former ambassador to Britain.