A neighborhood advocate for seniors was acknowledged final week by the Office of the Borough Mayor for her work on behalf of that neighborhood, and different susceptible Alaskans.
Nona Safra sits on the board of the Alaska Commission on Aging, has volunteered for numerous years with the Anchor Point VFW Post 10221 Auxiliary, and served on the Anchor Point Senior Center board of administrators. After shifting from Anchor Point to Homer, she additionally joined the American Legion Post 16 Auxiliary.
Safra was acknowledged in a small ceremony final Wednesday on the Homer Chamber of Commerce, the place she obtained an exemplary service award from Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce for her “distinctive professionalism, dedication to the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the State of Alaska’s senior residents, Alaskans with disabilities, rural Alaskans, decrease revenue Alaskans, (and) Native Alaskans.”
“Many of us within the room right here at present may say that we’ve in all probability labored on a venture or two with this girl,” Pierce stated.
He stated Safra’s arduous work and devoted time is a credit score to her each as knowledgeable and on a private degree.
Peter Zuyus is govt director of the nonprofit Seniors of Alaska. He co-hosted the occasion with the chamber, and has labored with Safra for numerous years on tasks particularly benefiting seniors.
“Her efforts and tireless work to enhance the lives of Alaska’s seniors, disabled, rural, low revenue Alaskans is nothing in need of wonderful,” Zuyus stated. “Nona has made, and is making, a distinction.”
He additionally thanked her for the work she’s executed concerning messaging with Seniors of Alaska to let seniors learn about the advantages of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Homer Mayor Castner made a mayoral recognition of Safra’s work on the March 8 Homer City Council assembly. He additionally spoke ultimately Wednesday’s occasion, and thanked Safra for her volunteer work within the Homer neighborhood.
“I’ve to say, you realize, coming from a city like Homer, we’re surrounded by nice volunteers,” Castner stated. “… We wouldn’t have the neighborhood that we’ve got with out individuals keen to step up and do issues for free, you realize, out of the goodness of their coronary heart.”
Castner thanked Safra for turning into a volunteer for the Homer neighborhood.
Homer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Anderson thanked Safra for being a useful resource when he first arrived in Homer, serving to fill him in on the realm’s historical past.
Safra described assembly former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt when she was 4 years previous, an occasion that will proceed to encourage her years later. Roosevelt grew to become one among Safra’s first “sheros,” she stated.
“From that second on, I knew I needed to be like her, and I needed to develop up and make a distinction,” Safra stated.
She stated all of the tasks and her work that was talked about on the occasion have been the results of working with good individuals “who care about neighborhood.”
“None of this could be potential with out the efforts of so many individuals who permit me to be a part of the work,” she stated.
Safra shared a favourite quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Since you get extra pleasure out of giving to others, you must put an excessive amount of thought into the happiness that you simply’re capable of give.”
Safra stated that quote is related at present.
“That kind of happiness is achieved when the work is completed aspect by aspect with others in your neighborhood,” she stated. “It makes it a greater place to dwell, to work, to play and to thrive.”
Safra stated she’s touched by the popularity of her work, and appears ahead to the chance to do extra.
“Because there’s rather more to be executed as we come out of COVID,” she stated. “And you realize, to make the phrase a greater place.”
Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) and Alaska Commission on Aging Chair Gordon Glaser submitted letters honoring and thanking Safra for her work, which Anderson learn aloud on the occasion.
“You have discovered seniors the place they solely noticed despair,” Glaser’s letter stated. “Thank you for serving to the Alaska Commission on Aging obtain its mission to make sure the dignity and independence of all older Alaskans, and to help them to guide helpful and significant lives.”
Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce presents native advocate Nona Safra with an exemplary service award Wednesday, March 10, 2021 on the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Peter Zuyus, govt director of the nonprofit Seniors of Alaska, speaks at a recognition and award ceremony for native senior advocate Nona Safra on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 on the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Homer Mayor Ken Castner speaks at an award ceremony for native senior advocate and volunteer Nona Safra on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 on the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
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