Doris and Jerry Brelage have heard countless "thank yous" for their kindness. Now they are more apt to hear "gracias.''

Language aside, their efforts touch many lives.

Jerry Brelage, 59, is a retired Batesville High School teacher who taught Spanish 12 years before retiring in 2000. He learned the language as a Peace Corp volunteer in South America in the mid-1960s. While teaching, he and his wife, 60, took six groups of his Spanish students on trips to Mexico.

So when more Hispanic families began relocating to this Indiana town, the Brelages got involved.

They hosted focus groups to help bring old and new residents together.

"We were trying to get people to understand and appreciate the differences," Jerry said.

The Brelages helped start a Spanish Mass for the estimated 400 Hispanics in the Batesville area. Doris, a semi-retired nurse helps with health care issues. Jerry teaches them to drive.

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Do you know a Hometown Hero - someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net, or fax to 513-755-4150.