Wareham residents Richard Porter and Gardner "Gabby" McWilliams will be honored at Wareham Crossing's inaugural Braveheart Awards celebration on Saturday, Sept. 18.

The awards are bestowed upon "everyday heroes" who show courage and compassion, and defy odds to make a difference. The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shopping center.

Here's a little bit more about Wareham's "everyday heroes."

Richard Porter

Richard Porter, also known as "Thermometer Man," is the curator of the Porter Thermometer Museum in Onset.

A retired junior-high-school science teacher, Porter began collecting thermometers in all kinds of designs, shapes, and sizes after becoming enamored with the instruments during his 30 years of teaching.

Porter opened the museum inside his Zarahemla Road home after his daughter, Janet Minkle, who passed away in 1990 due to a brain tumor, encouraged him to do something with his growing collection. More than 5,000 thermometers have cycled through the museum, which is always open with free admission.

Porter currently has 1,000 thermometers on display. He sold thousands of the thermometers at a fraction of their value to AccuWeather, Inc. founder Joel Myers several years ago. Those thermometers will eventually be used in a Pennsylvania State University weather museum, Porter said.

The thermometer collection helped Porter become visible, he said. He has given more than 800 lectures in the past 20 years about the history of the gadgets and the dangers of the mercury which many contain.  He has talked at approximately 100 schools.

But Porter doesn't just talk to students about thermometers. He challenges them to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

"I never smoked a cigarette, never bought a six pack. I refuse to litter. I preach the hazards of mercury," Porter explained.

In addition to his work with students, Porter has been recognized for donating more than 4,000 volunteer hours across Cape Cod lecturing on mercury hazards and litter clean-up, and he has received certificates of appreciation from the Barnstable County Hazardous Materials Program for his work in thermometer recycling. In July, the Porter Thermometer Museum was named one of the 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts.

Porter, whose wife, Barbara nominated him for the Braveheart award, said he was very pleased to be among the winners. "I hope [the recognition] will introduce me further so I can continue to challenge youngsters as a lifelong educator."

To book a lecture with Richard Porter, call 508-295-5504 or visit the Porter Thermometer Museum at 49 Zarahemla Road in Onset.

Gardner "Gabby" McWilliams

Perhaps you've met lifelong Wareham resident Gardner "Gabby" McWilliams at Spillane Field before a Wareham Gatemen game, or perhaps he's welcomed you during a visit to the Council On Aging.

Though McWilliams was a right-fielder for the Meadowbrook and Sagamore Cape League teams in the 1950s, he's now an organization member and volunteer with the Gatemen, where he greets baseball fans and collects donations.

"He's just fabulous," said Linda Mckiernan, who works with the Gatemen and nominated McWilliams for the Braveheart Award. "He's such a good 'front guy' for our organization because he's so friendly."

McWilliams, a retired electrician/engineer, can also be found donating his time Monday through Friday at the Council On Aging in the Multi-Service Center, where he helps out in the dining area and brings in snacks for seniors to take home with them, said Marcia Griswold, Director of Senior & Social Services.

"He is just generally here, being helpful, and a welcoming sight for anyone who comes to the Multi-Service Center to get involved in activities," said Griswold.

McWilliams has also donated time at the Sippican Nursing Home in Marion, where he helped run raffles and bingo games. Additionally, he is active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), having served the Army in the Korean War. He served as Past President of the VFW Post 2425 in Marion, Past Plymouth District 12 Commander, and Past State Commander of the Massachusetts VFW.

McWilliams was humble about being named a Braveheart Award recipient.

"I try to do my best for the programs," he said.