While 2018 was filled with ups and downs, we're looking to end it on a high note, by counting down our top 10 'Straight from the Heart' stories of the year.
Let's start off with an honorable mention.
In September, nurse Valencia Jones was at Longhorn in Warner Robins, when another customer was choking on a piece of steak.
Jones didn't hesitate to perform the Heimlich maneuver on the woman, and it would be her first time doing it.
Now to the countdown!
In January, UGA Quarterback and Houston County graduate Jake Fromm visited one of his old classmates, Annabelle Whitaker, as she battled stage 5 kidney disease.
Months later in July, we learned Whitaker had been placed on the transplant list.
Also in January, we visited the Gowans, a family who developed a special bond with 79-year-old John Knight, who was homeless at the time.
They became so close the Gowans started calling him 'Pa-Pa.'
A few months later in May, the family actually helped John Knight move into his own place.
We first met Tonya Wright in September, as a part of the Macon Food Story.
She was struggling to keep food on the table and fighting to take care of herself and her family.
After viewers (that means you guys!) saw she didn't have proper appliances in her home, they pitched in to get her a brand new stove, washer, dryer and microwave, at no cost to her.
After Hurricane Michael tore through Georgia, one United States Navy veteran from Sandersville found his mobile trailer severely damaged.
In November, Central Georgia pitched in to help 78-year-old Robert Meigs clean up the mess and get a new trailer.
Just this month, we met Frances Frost Thigpen.
She's 90, but still hustles down at the Macon Food Depot on Houston Avenue.
She brings joy to her customers as well as her coworkers.
5. 'Thank you for saving my life:' 1st grader thanks resource officer at Northwest Laurens Elementary
In October, one school resource officer saved first-grader Abbie Horton from choking at lunch time.
The next day, Horton thanked Corporal Kyle Williams in her classroom with a gift.
In August, Eric Richardson, a junior at Northside High School, noticed one of his classmates always went barefoot during gym class.
Instead of teasing him like a few other students did, Richardson decided to gift the boy, Matthew, with a new pair of Vans.
In August, 18-year-old Mykehia Curry asked for help in an interesting way.
She released balloons with a letter attached, asking God for help with gathering supplies for her freshman year of college.
A part-time pastor at Springfield Baptist in Monticello happened to see the balloons and note when it landed, and granted Curry's wishes.
In July, a touching video popped up on Facebook of officers from the Warner Robins Police Department praying for 9-year-old Jalen Manns.
In the viral video, Manns was getting ready to get a biopsy on his brain tumor at Navicent Health.
Officer Jason Lamberth was among the officers that prayed for Manns, and he spoke up to say the act of kindness wasn't about him.
A few months later in November, we learned Manns was cancer-free.
In May, 8-year-old Maurice Adams decided to help an elderly woman up some stairs.
Little did he know someone was recording the whole thing. It went crazy on the internet--across the country.
Adams said the attention he got was nice, but the best part was getting a hug from the woman after he helped her.
Thank you Central Georgia, for giving us these stories to tell. If you have a heartwarming story, feel free to send us an email at news@13wmaz.com
Here's to 2019 bringing in more stories 'Straight from the Heart!'