Kathy Reynes is a Neighbourhood Hero for many reasons. One is that she recognizes and acknowledges other ordinary people who are extraordinary role models - We call those people Neighbourhood Heroes.

Over the past year Kathy has nominated several of the people I have written about but in the past month, she has outdone herself by nominating nine different "heroes".

Kathy's nominations include: Dr. Steve Beerman for the many contributions he has made to the swimming community; Darren Hauca, a hockey coach who teaches much more than hockey skills; Gary Gribbling, a retired teacher and coach who can't quit - He's back coaching the football team at Rutherford school; Sue Benoit, the Associate Dean of Applied Programs at Malaspina University-College who does the work of two or three people and always puts students first; Lynne Fraser from Coastal Community Credit Union who as Kathy says, "... is an incredible asset to every committee she sits on"; Carla Henderson who has been coaching the Special Olympics Swim Club since she was 14; the Sandbenders, a group of NDSS students who, among other things, rebuild old computers and donate them to needy people in the community; Steve Littley, a high school drop out who, after years of working as a janitor, returned to school and is currently finishing his masters degree while doing first year law at UBC, running his business volunteering at Malaspina, and finding time for his family; and finally for now, Erin van Steen who goes above and beyond the call of duty to be "the critical link between the donors and the Nanaimo Schools Awards Society."

In two years of writing this column, to my surprise, no one has nominated one of their teachers ... until this month when Colin Plecas nominated his teacher, Ruth Harvey. "Mrs. Harvey, you are an inspiration to all of us 'cool your jets boys'", he confirmed.

And then two teachers turned the table when they nominated their classes. Donna Allen nominated her Grade 12 Peer Helping Class at NDSS and Laura Harrison nominated her Leadership 11 class at Dover Bay. Harrison summed it up for both teachers when she said, "They inspire me each and every day."

While researching an article for Readers Digest, Joanne Keating was impressed by the number of students she met who had been influenced by Stephanie Robinson, the Career Centre Coordinator at NDSS. "Any one who makes that kind of impact on her students deserves to be recognized," Joanne concluded.

Nancy Ericson is a person with a great, large heart full of compassion for all," Dwayne Schultz said in his nomination. "If you are a friend in need, she is always there to hold your hand."

Debbie Trueman nominated four longtime volunteers at our District Museum: Ruth Tickle, Barbara Cowling, Jacque Mar and Pamela Mar, all (with the possible exception of Pamela) are in their nineties.

Some of the other nominations came from Bill Pineo who nominated Jack Arrol for being an exceptionally "giving" neighbour'; Brian Anderson who says, "small business people could learn much from Gord Fawcett"; TerryLynn Saudners who acknowledged Jane Woods for triumphing over a double round of "flesh-eating" disease; Linda Brandmeier who nominated Linda Smith for working more than fulltime hours while being paid a part-time salary as Executive Director of Nanaimo's Habitat For Humanity; and Loranna LaPorte who praised Ron Hopper for his exceptional customer service.

I'll be writing more about many of these people in the next few months, for now you can read a little more at www.nhero.org, "Nominations".

Nominate your Neighbourhood Hero today and you could
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