Kathy Nadalin and Monica Peacock were both reluctant to step into the spotlight when first asked. But when they realized how the people around them would benefit they changed their minds and let their names stand for the 2012 Citizen of the Year in Prince George.
"I immediately said no because I thought there was so many more people out there more qualified than me," said Nadalin, nominated by Barbara Claffey and Lorri Kidd. "When I'm busy doing my volunteer work I have none of this kind of thing in mind but if I can call attention to all the groups I volunteer for through this nomination than I would like to do that to bring a spotlight on these groups that are doing wonderful things for the community."
Nadalin has served as president of the Elder Citizens Recreation Association for the past three years and has worked as the secretary for the Telus Community Ambassadors Club for the last eight years. Among her numerous other volunteer projects is the Order of the Eastern Star.
The other four nominees for the Prince George Community Foundation's award include Peacock, creator of the annual Evening of Pink fundraiser, Bob D'Auray, radio host on CFIS-FM who works with the Prince George Council of Seniors and the Clean Air Coalition and Dee and Ron Neukomm, nominated together, for their work in the past 25 years with Special Olympic athletes and Rotary. Dee is a member of the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame while Ron is a past district governor with Rotary.
Peacock said after rejecting the suggestion for many years that she should be nominated for the Citizen of the Year honour, she decided to allow her name to stand this year.
"It just didn't feel like I had done enough," said Peacock. "I still don't believe I'm as qualified but then I look around and see the people who I know are impacted by the dinner and I don't second guess it anymore."
The Evening of Pink dinner has raised awareness about breast cancer, particularly among young people, since 2005 and has raised money to help in the purchase of equipment at the University Hospital of Northern BC, notably a $400,000 endoscopic ultrasound unit.
The 2012 winner will be voted on by a committee of previous Citizen of the Year winners, including Darrell Hubbell, the 2011 winner. The 2012 Citizen of the Year recipient will be announced at a Prince George Community Foundation awards dinner Oct. 19.
