When Sandra Grimes nominated Linda Janes as our next Neighbourhood Hero, her description sounded almost too good to be true, but when I talked to her boss, Mike Paquette, and a long-time Boys and Girls Club co-worker, Teresa Pring, their description was even more glowing.

"I don't know why it has taken me this long to nominate Linda Janes as a "Neighbourhood Hero," Sandra began. "She is the ultimate hero, everything a community, household, school, or club could want.

"Linda is an incredible Mom, (I'm sure a wife too), daughter, teacher, and friend. She definitely meets the definition of a Neighbourhood Hero. She is a teacher and a role model. Everything she does is big and she is constantly doing something for others. She is an inspiration to everyone that meets her

"I think this [nominating her as a Neighbourhood Heroes] is the ultimate way to show her how important she is to those she has touched."

I talked to others about Linda I kept hearing over and over again that her consistent focus every waking minute of every day is on helping others.

If she isn't with her daughter, Michelle, helping with her activities -- dance, guides, school teams and activities, and field trips -- she's at work at the Chase River Boys and Girls Club putting in long hours as a preschool teacher and before and after school care giver, or she's filling her role as co-fundraiser for the Chase River Elementary School PAC, or volunteering as a leader of the first Chase River Sparks, or finding some other way to help the various friends and families in her life.

Recently, she organized a hotdog sale and bottle drive to raise funds for the Thornett family. This was an all day event. Then, that night, she held a Sparks mom and daughter sleep over at her home.

"I don't know what I would do without her," Sandra concluded. "Please, please, please pick Linda Janes for you next Neighbourhood Hero."

Mike Paquette, Linda's supervisor, sang even greater praises than Sandra, and he promised that with little or no effort, he could find a choir of Chase River parents who would sing along with him!

"I'm just thrilled that she has been nominated," he exclaimed. "She's the most caring person I've ever met and I've never heard her say "no" when it comes to helping others."

Neighbourhood Heroes excel at life because they have a way of finding their passion, and Linda has done just that.

She's exactly where she wants to be, working with children of all ages and helping families. When Mike has talked to her about possible promotions, she makes it plain that she's not interested.

"If it takes me away from kids," she has said time after time, "there's no way, absolutely no way."

How would you like to have the same passion for your work and life that Linda has? If money weren't a consideration, what would you be doing right now? What changes in life style would you need to make to survive on a lower salary? What special education or training would you need to make this life change? What's stopping you?

To nominate a Neighbourhood Hero, read any of our past columns or learn about our Hidden Heroes WebQuest go to www.nhero.org or call 741-7499.