I was going through my old files recently and came across a story that Carolyn Iles had submitted to a province-wide, Asset Building For Youth newsletter. It's well worth retelling.

The story is about a "distinguished older man" who lives here in Nanaimo.

Carolyn described this man and his wife as, "a retired couple much like couples many of us know, generally healthy, quiet, willing to help out in the background and definitely NOT interested in anything that would require them to be very public."

So today's Neighbourhood Hero will remain anonymous. In fact, Carolyn hasn't told me who he is ... but I think I might know him - Perhaps you do to.

If you don't know this particular person, I'm sure you know someone else who is an equally strong, positive influence in your community. Wouldn't today be a good time to thank them for what they have been doing?

The incident that caught Carolyn's attention happened just before the service began at her local church.

As she was standing in the church kitchen, this gentleman came in to ask if anyone had seen the "Smith kids". The question had just left his lips when the middle Smith boy walked into the room.

"You're just the person I was looking for," he said to the teenager. "I saw your name in the paper last week."

The teen looked puzzled so the gentleman went on to explain. "You know, for being on the honour roll -- Keep up the good work and congratulations once again," he reaffirmed as he turned and headed into the church.

That's all that was said.

At that point, the teenager looked at Carolyn and grinned.

"I didn't thing anybody but parents read those lists," he said. "The print's so small."

All through worship, Carolyn kept her eye on the young man and it seemed he never stopped grinning. Then, when it was time to "share the peace" (greet and shake hands with one another) the teen made it a point, even though his praise-giver was well across the room, to go over and shake hands.

After the service, Carolyn sought out this newfound cheerleader to learn what motivated him to go out of his way to find the Smith boy and congratulate him on his academic achievement.

The answer was simple. Years ago, when his kids were in school and doing well, no one but him and his wife seemed to notice ... or care. So now, he makes it a point to read the honour rolls for all the local high schools and to seek out church youth whose names appear. Then ... always in public so others can hear - he does what he wishes other adults had done for his kids.

"When I think of it now," Caroline says, "it can seems like such a little thing but then I remember the look on the Smith boy's face -- that ear to ear grin."

Take a look around. Who are the people you know that are quietly making a difference with young people in your community? Who are the people that made a difference in your life as you were growing up?

When you remember who they are, can you think of a better time than right now to say, "thank you"?

If you would like to learn more about asset building for youth, where this story was first told, check out their web site at www.search-institute.org/assets/.