The 2009 Purpose Prize winners take a bow.

By focusing attention on their programs and the problems they are solving, The Purpose Prize will help change many lives, agreed the winners of the $100,000 and $50,000 awards presented last weekend at the Purpose Prize Summit at Stanford University.

James Smallwood, 62, described the transition from the lowest point in his life, waking up in the street, drunk and feverish: “Twenty-five years ago I was a beggar. I beseeched strangers on the street for a quarter or a dollar – to feed my addiction. And now, 25 years later, I am still a beggar. Now I beseech corporations and foundations for tens of thousands of dollars – to fulfill my promise.” Helping the desperate to become productive members of society is, he said, “my new addiction.”

Elizabeth Alderman, 68, recalled the day her world fell apart: September 11, 2001, when her youngest child died in the World Trade Center. She and her husband, Stephen, have brought mental health services to more than 100,000 victims around the world ravaged by terrorism, violence and war in honor of their son, Peter.

“When people look at what we have accomplished over the last seven years, they often say they could never aspire to what we have done. Seven years ago, we would have said that we couldn’t do it either. We are ordinary people, common as dirt. We knew nothing about the world of business and philanthropy,” she said.

Tim Will, 61, gave credit to his wife, who dragged him off to the Peace Corps 35 years ago: “Eleanor, my love, you have made my life. The life we’ve shared has always been about serving other people.”

Will brought broadband to a rural county in Appalachia, then created an online ordering system that lets restaurants order directly from small farmers. He even taught the farmers how to use computers. (After pitching his project to a Hewlett Packard executive at his table all evening, he was surprised later that night when the company presented him with a $50,000 check to fund computers for his project.)

Judith Broder, 69, accepted her Purpose Prize “not only for me but also for the hundreds of mental health professionals who donate their precious working hours in order to provide free, unlimited therapy to our returning troops and their loved ones.”

Henry Liu, 73, a former engineering professor and serial inventor, said, “I have received many honors and awards in my life, but this one tops them all.” He explained, “I consider working after so-called retirement a privilege and fun.” He was honored for transforming fly ash – the residue of coal-fired power plants – into “green” bricks that save energy.

Don Coyhis, 66, described the helplessness he felt in 1991 when he encountered one Indian community in which more than 85 percent of people above the age were alcoholics and had an average life span of 37.6 years. His “Wellbriety” sobriety program, which incorporates Native American beliefs and traditions, has helped thousands of individuals living on Indian reservations conquer their addiction. He called the award “a sacred act,” and said the news of the prize had energized Indian Country.

“I learned our communities could be turned around if we lead the people back to their original teachings,” he explained.

Ann Higdon, 69, told of the troubled teens her group helps prepare for high school and Connie Siskowski, 63, described the hidden population of 1.3 million youth caregivers her organization supports.

“I feel like I’ve come home – home to be with other kindred spirits doing good work,” said Duncan Campbell, 65. Raised by alcoholic parents, he has dedicated his life to finding caring, paid adult mentors for disadvantaged children from age 5 to adulthood.

“This encore career of the last 15 years had given my life more meaning and more satisfaction and contentment than I would have ever imagined,” he said.

Read more about The Purpose Prize recipients.

Watch their videos.