The author of the text highlights the diversity and variety of contributions made by members of open source communities, going beyond just code contributions. The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating these contributions to foster a sense of community and motivate others to participate. A formal recognition program called "Heroes" is introduced, which aims to promote diversity and inclusivity among contributors. The Heroes are individuals who have made sustained contributions to the project and community over a 2-year term, with a limit of one Hero per organization. The program's primary goal is not to have as many Heroes as possible, but rather to grow the ranks gradually in line with the overall community size.