Do you ever wonder what your children will say they learned from you?

Perhaps no question matters more.

I saw that firsthand this week when we honored three Coloradans with the 2007 Jefferson Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism.

This is one of the best parts of my job. I get to stop the daily wheel for an hour or two and sit down with three extraordinary people who make a huge difference in the life of their community.

This year the awards went to Donna Herod of Delta, our first recipient from the Western Slope; Matt Hogan, a Denver lawyer; and Vern Engbar, a Denver businessman. One of the three will be selected to represent Colorado at a national ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this year.

When I asked Donna why she does so much for others - she's a volunteer victim's advocate for the police department and a walking example of goodness - she responded simply: "My family has always been kind to people. We've been brought up that way."

It seemed any one of our winners could have said the same thing. Imagine how their parents might have felt, hearing those words. Talk about reward.

Donna was nominated by her husband, David, who sent in a handwritten letter outlining why she deserved the award. (Don't worry, we had independent confirmation that he wasn't just trying to make up to her.)

Donna was shocked that he'd done it, saying he's not the type to even remember her birthday. But he clearly admires her devotion to others, even if it can get tiresome sometimes.

"I have seen her get dozens of calls in the middle of the night, and never once has she complained that she was tired or did not want to go," he wrote. "I have gotten angry with her because when people call for help she can't say no."

David told us Donna and the other winners give the most valuable thing any human being possesses: their time.

Vern came to the paper with his wife, their two young children and mother and father. I hope his children will remember the day.

Vern explained how he came to be involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. How at 15 he lost his best friend to cancer and decided he would one day do something as a volunteer to make a difference to others experiencing the suffering he saw his friend go through.

Years later, as a commercial property manager in California, one of his tenants was the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In that chance encounter, he found his calling.

"It's my way to keep my friend's memory alive," Vern told us.

One thing that happens every year when the Jefferson recipients meet is that they find they have so much in common. Invariably, they're described, as was Vern by the group that nominated him, as a "regular" person.

But they also invariably show how much a regular person is capable of.

"Vern is a regular guy, but when he enters the world of wish granting, he transforms into 'Superman.' No X-ray vision, or flashy attire - just a constant grin, twink-ling eyes, infectious laugh and an appealing sense of humor that captures the hearts of the countless wish children fortunate to work with 'The Amazing Vern,' " Make-A-Wish wrote.

Matt realized after having his own children how much he wanted to make them proud. He clearly is thankful that his own "wonderful family" gave back to the community when he was a boy.

Today he's the force behind the Denver Children's Advocacy Center, where, his nominating letter said, he works "tirelessly on behalf of children who have been traumatized by sexual abuse and domestic violence. He believes these children deserve the best immediate and compassionate treatment possible, and he willingly invests his time, resources, personal and professional credibility."

Matt instills hope in the children, said Gizane Indart, the center's executive director.

All three Jefferson honorees are sources of hope and inspiration. They walk the walk. They make this world a better place.

You'll hear more about each one of them later this spring in a special series of columns by our Gary Massaro.

Until then, I hope you'll join me in thanking them for what they do.

John Temple can be reached at editor@RockyMountainNews.com or by mail at 101 W. Colfax, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202.

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