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Diana Johnson, New Orleans, Louisiana, Winning Merchant: Owner of Garden District Needlework Shop. In the aftermath of Katrina, her customers volunteered their time to protect the store’s yarn and to keep it mold free. As a result, there was practically no damage to her merchandise. And Diana gives back by using the store to host numerous charitable events. We just finished a challenge with a store in Tuscaloosa for the upcoming LSU/Bamma game to see who could knit the most preemie hats. We managed 315. After the contest (and the game) the hats will be donated to New Orleans’ neo-natal ICUs. We recently had a fund-raiser for Breast Cancer awareness, we organize donations of hats, scarves, and shawls for chemo patients, and we’re working with people to make sweaters for Katrina-rescue dogs who are adopted in colder climates. Diana and her shop are a perfect example of a “winner” who uses a profitable business that doesn’t have overt ties to charity to better the community and promote charity works. By Julia Houston

Nolan Joseph Lasseign Sr, Galliano, Louisiana. Winning Veteran: With freezing weather, bullets flying, and friends dying in his arms; Nolan Joseph Lasseign Sr. is a true winner. World War II veteran, Mr. Lasseign, born and raised in Galliano, La. fought with his heart to bring freedom to this beautiful country. Mr. Lasseign saved many lives while he was in the military, including one of an enemy fighter. Mr. Nolan Lasseign isn’t only a perfect “winner” nominee, but also a hero to us all. By Katherine Arnold

Rich Gutierrez, Lake Charles, Louisiana. Winning Athlete: At 72, Rich Gutierrez’s exercise routine is more vigorous than the fitness programs of many 21-year-olds. The award-winning bodybuilder and owner of Fitness City USA in Lake Charles and self-proclaimed pioneer of health clubs, now focuses on using his expertise to help others get fit. He holds 19 bodybuilding titles, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Physique Committee. He last competed at age 69, and may even compete in another show. The fitness buff has trained over 100,000 people one on one and is currently writing a book about health and fitness. And he never strays from his fitness philosophy: Say no to drugs. With all the steroid use in athletes and bodybuilders nowadays, Gutierrez has made a pledge to build muscles naturally and encourages others to do the same. By Kimberly Brown

Sara Roberts, Lake Charles Louisiana, Winning Samaritan: When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, citizens from all over Louisiana did what they could to help. But, Sara, Lake Charles accountant and commissioner for the Superdome in New Orleans, went above and beyond. She formed the Cajun Navy, a group of Southwest Louisiana civilians who took rowboats to the flooded streets and rescued trapped New Orleans residents. “When we were involved in the rescue, we didn’t have time to really think about it. We were just pulling people out of the water,” she has said. “It gave me a sense of accomplishment, and it was about helping people who couldn’t help themselves.” By Kimberly Brown

Herb Edson, Louisiana. Winning Writer: He may be 87, but that hasn’t slowed him down. In fact, he’s going stronger than ever. He’s published three books in the past five years and is working on one about his experiences in World War II that included working at the White House as a guard. By Dave Moormann

Truett Cathy, Lake Charles, Louisiana. Winning Benefactor: Truett first opened his heart and home to children more than 30 years ago. Since then, his desire to inspire young people has continued to grow. Driven by this interest in the growth and education of young people, Truett established the WinShape Foundation, Inc., in 1984 with the goal: to help shape winners. The Foundation supports a variety of programs, including a long-term foster care program, a summer camp for nearly 1,800 kids each year, a scholarship program in conjunction with Rome, Ga.- based Berry College, and marriage enrichment retreats. In his book, Its Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men, Truett Cathy lays out a simple model for adults desiring to reach out to youth and challenges readers to allow God to work through them to change the life of a child. His book is filled with stories illustrating the principles of discipline, trust, reputation, generosity, common sense, peer pressure, and family stability. By Kimberly Brown