It was just a few days after Christmas when Everyday Hero host Bill Murphy met Dominique Mastridge.  A college junior, she recalled a day she was headed to class.

“I was driving to school and I saw some people on the side of the road and I just really wanted to do something more than give them money and more than just handing a bottle of water out of my car,” Mastridge said.

She thought about it all day, and then posted a call for help on her Facebook page.

Years before, her dad, Chris, a mental health professional, was homeless himself.

“My dad taught us never to look at these people as beaten down, sick people,” Mastridge said.  "He taught us to treat them as anybody else.”

The response was remarkable.

Dominique heard from local residents and people all over the country.

She created ‘Spread the Christmas Joy’ handing out more than 150 backpack bags at local parks with items like water, cleaning supplies, snacks, reading glasses, and even pet food.

“I met plenty of people that were my age out there and have families and they’re looking for their families and they’re just kind of lost,” Mastridge said.  “I mean everybody falls down and it’s about how you get back up.”  Words of wisdom from 21 year old.

Dominique plans more ‘Spread the Joy’ visits this year and hopes someday to work as a professional fundraiser.

And as to being called a hero, Mastridge said, “I don’t think of myself as a hero.  I think it’s very sweet and touching to have people feel that way.  I just think of myself as anybody else who wants to help and make a difference.”