In early June of 1991, Marica Benvin left her home in Croatia for a one-month vacation to visit a friend in British Columbia. Two days after her arrival, she met the man she would marry that same August. Ten years later, she is a Neighbourhood Hero with much to teach her fellow Canadians about life and happiness.

When nominating Benvin as a Neighbourhood Hero, Renate Liddell described her as an amazing person. "She arrived here with little or no knowledge of our language and culture and now she has made Canada not only her home but her passion. I think she knows more about this country than I do and I've lived here all my life."

There are a number of children back in Croatia who know a lot about Canada too. Benvin sends them a never-ending stream of photos and stories. "We live in such a beautiful country," she says.

The first step into her new community was taken with the Multicultural Society where she began to learn English and later took a 5-month job-training program.

As part of that program she was offered a work-experience opportunity at the Heart and Stroke Foundation and some months later, a part-time job that turned full-time last fall.

So what does this new Canadian -- she got her Canadian citizenship in 1995 -- have to teach us? Perhaps the biggest lesson is about courage; finding the courage to take that first step into difficult or unknown areas of life.

The number one fear in North America is public speaking. Yet, in an effort to learn English more quickly, Benvin found the courage to join Toastmasters a year-and-a-half after her arrival. How many people do you know, people who have spoken English all their lives, that would rather eat rusty nails than make such a commitment?

Not only did our Neighbourhood Hero do her share of public speaking in the club but over the years, she has also held every executive position including president. Recently she taught an eight-week public speaking course for a local 4-H Club.

Benvin is committed to what she calls "payback time". "I think it's really important to give back to the community where you live," she says. And give back she does.

As well as offering dozens of volunteer hours each month to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Toastmasters, a local Bee Keeping Club and the Multicultural Society where she has sat on the Board of Directors for seven years, three of them as president, Benvin also gives short-term commitments to other not-for-profit organizations.

Being a bone marrow donor and a regular blood donor is another part of that commitment to her community.

If, in your wanderings, you have ever come across a woman giving armfuls of flowers, plants, fruit, berries or veggies to friends, you may well have seen Marica Benvin in action. She always dreamt of having the garden she now has (you should see the photos) and she loves to share its bounty with friends and acquaintances.

When asked to sum up her life in Canada, the response was simple. "I'm healthy, I have a wonderful husband and home, the garden of my dreams, good friends both here and in Croatia and a job I love. Of course I'm happy."

Do you think her happiness might have something to do with her positive attitude, her enthusiasm for giving back to her community and the joy she gets from sharing the fruits of her labour?