During last night’s Henderson City Council meeting, Debbie Gardner received the 2020 Heart of the City Award in recognition of her exceptional acts of kindness through volunteerism and donations that have enriched the lives of the Henderson community for many years.
Debbie has volunteered as a shopper for the City of Henderson’s Heritage Park Senior Facility Mini Mart, a small store filled with shelf-stable food items located in the building. She frequents nine stores and uses her extreme-couponing skills to save Henderson seniors money by purchasing items for the Mini Mart at the lowest prices she can find.
Up to 175 seniors pre-COVID shopped at the senior facility every Friday.
Debbie is a long-time supporter of the Meals on Wheels pet program and regularly donates bags of dry food and canned food for the pets of senior adults benefiting from the Meals on Wheels service.
Working with Staples, Debbie has been able to purchase clearance items that she donates to John A. Dooley Elementary School.
When she learned about Basic Academy of International Studies students whose families were in need of food, clothing and school supplies, Debbie convinced Staples to donate directly to the school.
In addition, she has provided new shoes, blankets, clothing, and other items the students can use.
The City’s Parks and Recreation Department accepted this year’s award nominations until Oct. 1. The Be Kind committee selected Debbie Gardner as the 2020 Heart of the City award recipient from the nominations received.
The City launched the Be Kind Initiative in 2014 to bring a message of kindness citywide. As part of this initiative, the City of Henderson each year presents the Heart of the City Award to a Henderson resident or City employee who has demonstrated distinctive acts of kindness to another individual.
These acts of kindness may be described as one or more of the following: enrichment opportunities, character building, and/or mentoring; recognition of others; improvement of academic performance; possessing exceptional qualities that set this person apart; an action or behavior that raised the morale of others; or sincere cooperation, positive attitude and exceptional willingness to assist others.
For additional information about the Heart of the City Award or the city’s Be Kind initiative, call 702-267-4127 or 702-267-4103, or visit their website.
