The Leader’s annual Great Person Award nominations are coming in.
Nanci Goudey nominates Sam Kelley. Sam is one of the driving forces behind the Project GRACE organization.
“As one of its original members, Sam has helped to create a charitable organization that has assisted hundreds of people, in the town of Scarborough, as well as the greater Portland area. On a personal note, Sam has also touched my family. Sam is a friend and neighbor. He is always looking out to be sure all is OK with us. He has also become a great and dear friend to my oldest son, the two of them solving all the political problems of the world together. Sam Kelley is a great man; one who never ‘toots his own horn,’ one who accomplishes small miracles (and occasionally big ones!) behind the scenes, and certainly lives the credo ‘pay it forward.’”
Lori Bloom nominates Barbara Chasse, a retired teacher who has been volunteering in two classes at Blue Point Elementary School for the last year and a half.
“She comes in daily for two hours, but we keep her for as long as she will stay. Mrs. Chasse works with students in a small group setting and one on one. As an experienced teacher, she often puts her own twists on concepts to help students (and observing teachers) learn. Although she will be celebrating her 90th birthday in the next few years, she has more energy and stamina than anyone else I know. Mrs. Chasse can also be found every Friday playing piano for the residents of the Pine Point Nursing Home.”
Kathy Mower nominates Darcy Prock, an instructor at Lifestyles in Scarborough, who has attended all 10 or more fundraisers without missing any to show her support for the family of Belinda Taylor, who was killed by her husband earlier this year.
“She has volunteered her time by either teaching zumba at every event or by helping set up the event. She has worked tirelessly because she was a dedicated friend and boss to Belinda. Darcy is also a great role model for all ages of people. She teaches them that if they work hard they will get results. That if they believe in themselves they can achieve what they need in life. Darcy is the kind of person many would be happy to see win the award.”
There are no special qualifications for the Great Person Award. It is simply to honor those people who make this community a special place to live. It may be the person who hands you your morning coffee daily with a smile on her face. It may be the volunteer who works tirelessly for an area nonprofit. The award is meant to be a “thank you!” for all they do during the year.
The winner will receive a plaque and be interviewed for a newspaper article.
There are two steps in the Great Person Award process – nominations and then voting.
Nominations will be accepted today through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. A ballot of everyone nominated will be printed in the Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 editions. Voting will end at noon, Thursday, Dec. 24, and the winner will be announced in the Jan. 8 edition.
How can you nominate a Great Person? It’s simple:
• You may nominate a person by using this ballot and mailing it to the Leader, 180 Main St., Biddeford, ME  04005.
We need to know the address and phone number of each nominee and we need to know your contact information in case we have questions (this information will not be printed).
• You may nominate a person electronically by e-mailing it to editor@scarboroughleader.com or faxing it to 282-4339.
• We also are happy to accept nominations at our office, 180 Main St. in Biddeford.
Please be sure to include a few sentences that explain the reason for your nomination.