Here are some recent nominations from readers concerning Wasatch Front residents who make a difference in their communities by doing volunteer work or other such service:
- Paul Olsen:Olsen is a Scoutmaster in Sandy who has served faithfully for many years, sacrificing many personal pleasures in favor of Scouting activities.
He challenges each boy and works hard to motivate and assist them. Many Eagle Scout awards can be attributed to his efforts.
- Gordon L. Rolfson:
Rolfson helps needy neighbors in the community with yard work. He will go out of his way to help people.
His nominator said it is very comforting that Rolfson sees what needs to be done in the neighborhood and then does it.
- Lena Foren:
Foren, the owner/director of the Little Friends Day Care Center has donated transportation to homeless families who need child care and other support services.
Her nominator said Foren has been a source of inspiration and stability to many homeless children in the Salt Lake Valley.
- Robert and Esther Twigg:
The Twiggs have taken in more than 30 foster children over the years, providing love for abused and needy children.
- Perena Icabazzi:
Icabazzi has spent 13 years as a weekly volunteer in the St. Vincent School's second grade. She also visits the sick and homeless each week and helps neighbors and friends with her many talents.
- Maria Leka:
Leka is always lending a helping hand toward her neighbors and the people she meets. She's also very outgoing and friendly toward the people she comes in contact with.
- Joleen Visser:
Visser is the "super person on her block," according to her nominator. She has helped many neighbors by providing them with encouragement, inspiration and self-confidence.
Her kindness extends to everyone she meets. She excels at making people new to the area feel welcome in the neighborhood.
Her nominator wants her to know that she is appreciated by many neighbors.
- Eileen Davis Spaulding:
Spaulding is a member of the "Big Sisters" program. She has spent the past nine years helping "little sister," Kandi Anderson, who will be a senior at West High this fall.
Despite back surgery, getting married and becoming a mother, Davis Spaulding has not forgotten her friendship and even plans on taking her "little sister" on a trip to Disneyland following her graduation.
- Ed Wilson:
Wilson helps several families in his neighborhood with food and clothing. He also volunteers his time helping two local alcohol and drug abuse programs.
- Brian D. Allen:
Allen's nominator said he has given selflessly to the needs to elderly in his community. He has removed snow, done yard and household repairs and shares meals with the needy. He also volunteers at the local rape crisis center.
- Leatha Colby:
Colby has donated her time, five days a week, eights hours a day to the Magna Senior Center. She teaches ceramics and volunteers in the center's soup kitchen and helps work on quilts.
She is described as an "all-around jewel" and a person that the Magna would be hard-pressed to do without.
- Marian and Vern Taylor:
The Taylors regularly help neighbors and friends. Every summer, they plant a garden and share their produce with their neighbors, especially widows.