Claire and Martyn Swinhoe made an act of kindness last weekend visitng Santa Fe National Cemetery to capture a moment for a friend unable to attend the Wreaths Across America event. Champions of Youth Ambitions motto is ‘Take A Second, Make A Difference’  and the Swinhoe family embodies it – a shining example of a Community Asset. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
LARSO

The annual Community Asset Award celebration is just around the corner, and the deadline has been extended for nominations.

Do you know someone who “Takes A Second and Makes A Difference” to make this community better?

While the nomination process is open all year long, the big kick off happens in November and normally concludes before the holiday season comes to an end. This year, the deadline has been extended to Dec. 26. The easiest way to nominate someone is to visit the Champions of Youth Ambitions website.

The local nonprofit also is happy to assist by phone – just share the name of the person, what great things they do to make this community better and where we can find them.

Do you need an example? I’ll pick a local community member and her awesome husband, the dynamic duo of Claire and Martyn Swinhoe. After supporting the local Wreath Across America event at Guage Pines Cemetery last weekend, this terrific team went down to the Santa Fe National Cemetery to capture the event there. Why did they do it you ask? Quite simply, I couldn’t make it and they went to capture a photo of my grandfather’s grave marker after a wreath had been placed there. I couldn’t get there, but they could as true and dear friends.

The meaning of simple acts of kindness is what we all need during this season. The divisions in the country, the polarization for various topics even locally, is destroying kindness and decency. We’ve also become a society so able to get things in an instant that we don’t stop to think about how things get done or who gets them done.

So, I ask you to think about someone who deserves recognition but might not get it. Maybe they make a difference for many or just for one. If you think of someone, please let us know, via email, phone call or on Facebook at Champions of Youth Ambitions or call 505.695.9139.