Eufora Honors "Hero of the Year"

"A hero is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities," describes Jewel Ingalls, daughter of Sergeant Robert W. Ingalls. These words certainly ring true when it comes to her father who was chosen, in a nationwide search, as Eufora HERO for MenTM 2011 "Hero of the Year." Ingalls was chosen as Hero of the Year through an online public vote and will appear on the cover of the 2012 HERO Calendar alongside eleven other finalists, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters International.

Not only did the single dad, of three daughters, work two jobs at times, he served his country as a sergeant in the United States Army. He was first deployed during Operation Desert Storm and then again, in 2006, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his second tour in Iraq in 2008, a routine inspection for roadside bombs went awry. Ingalls was driving as the lead car in a large convoy when the vehicle behind him was blown up by an I.E.D. In an attempt to look for survivors, Ingalls' car triggered another large explosion and he suffered a direct hit from a pressure plate.

"They said he was in the hospital with lacerations and injuries, but he was okay," she recalls. "It was in that moment I was reminded how brave and loyal my father is. He is a true hero because he is devoted, honest, pure and would do anything for his daughters and his country."

"Sergeant Ingalls' story is truly inspiring and we are thrilled to honor such a courageous man," says Beth Bewley, co-founder of Eufora International. "The Eufora HERO for MenTM line recognizes the hero that lives in every man and through this search we all had the chance to reflect on the heroes in our own lives."

In addition to appearing in the 2012 HERO calendar, Ingalls will receive the complete line of Eufora HERO for MenTM grooming products, roundtrip airfare for two to San Diego, five days and four nights accommodations at the La Costa Resort and Spa and $400 spending cash.

The 2012 HERO calendar will be available at Eufora salons nationwide with all proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sister International. For more information on where to shop, visit www.eufora.net.

And for more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters International, please visit www.bbbs.org.