By By Kerry Whipple Bean
Local residents have called Danny Cottrell’s actions inspirational for years. A single inspired act last February has given the Brewton pharmacist national attention dubbing him as one of the most inspiring people of 2009.
A national Web site, Beliefnet.com, has placed Cottrell in, what he calls, good company.
Others on the list of nominees include Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger, Kaleb Eulls, Zach Bonner, Jill and Kevin Wedding, Jorge Munoz, Griffeth and Illingworth, Paul Levy, Michael J. Fox and Iranian Protesters.
Cottrell said he heard about the nominations a few weeks ago when officials with Beliefnet contacted him.
Cottrell said he thought people with Beliefnet may have noticed his name through news reports concerning the $2 stimulus he began last February.
Anyone can cast a vote for their favorite person in the poll, but there is a time limit.
Cottrell said he’s not sure how the voting will go, but said he’s pretty sure he won’t be in the top vote getters.
Cottrell was first recognized for his Hometown Stimulus last February when he handed out cash in the form of $2 bills to full- and part-time employees at Brewton Medical Center Pharmacy and Greenlawn Home Health.
His actions sparked similar stimulus projects and have been put into place by dozens of businesses from New Hampshire to Alaska, Beliefnet.com said. A Web site that has charted what it calls “The People’s Stimulus Package” has put more than $120,000 back into local economies.
To cast a vote for Cottrell in the poll log onto www.beliefnet.com