IU Health's unsung hero

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Here at WISH TV, we are working to bring you the untold stories and the unsung heroes of Central Indiana.

Hara Barnes has worked with IU Health for the past eight years. She has worked in various buildings around Central Indiana.

Each and every day, Hara comes in and does her custodial work with a smile and has the same giving and caring spirit as the doctors and nurses who work alongside her.

"You don't have to come to work and argue fuss and fight. I don't like a lot of confusion, I never have. Just smile," she says. "Don't hurt nobody to smile."

Hara's neighbor Stella Jones says her attitude is clearly visible on her face and on her security badge that reads "smile."

Hara was awarded the IU Health Presidents Leadership Award. The award was accompanied by $3,000 prize. But the money didn't last long.

Hara Barnes donated the prize money to her neighbor, Stella Jones, who is blind and in a wheel chair.

Jones' home burned down in a massive fire back in 2010. The fire caused thousands of dollars worth of damage. Hara's donation helped restore the house to its original state.

Stella Jones says, "I was so proud I cried, cried for joy."

Barnes says that she might not be able to clean forever. She does say, however, that she loves the people she works with and wants to stay at IU health as long as she can.

No matter what she is doing, she will be doing it with a smile.

If you have a story idea of and untold, unsung hero, email me at walter.allen@wishtv.com