Sabrina Neveu – Your Unsung Hero

We are so pleased to announce that Sabrina Neveu has been chosen as this quarter’s unsung hero! Sabrina truly exemplifies what this award is about!

We had the privilege to interview Sabrina on all she does for our community! Check out her answers below.

How long have you been a Sault resident?
Wow, I am beyond honored to be nominated to receive this award. A little background information about me – I was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Growing up in the Soo, I have many cherished memories of taking part in various community events and initiatives as a youth ranging from events like “Walk to Warmth” or helping out at the Salvation Army where my best friend’s mother worked to wonderful memories made with my family participating in the City’s Annual City-wide clean-up and picnic.

Can you please list or summarize your volunteer or community efforts?
In grade school I was an active Girl Scout, in high school I was a proud W.O.W. (Working on Wellness) member and president of Key Club (think Kiwanis but student-led). Outside of volunteering I was always actively participating in other community organizations such as Art Club, Science Club and other recreational activities like horseback riding and hockey. As often as I volunteered, I was the benefactor of another kind person’s time and energy. I know that all of the horse shows, hockey games, soccer games, etc I participated in wouldn’t have been possible without another person’s willingness to pitch in and help out- many people helped out- from announcers, people organizing the raffles, ordering prizes or printing certificates!

I’ve supported a number of events/fundraisers/causes/organizations over the years. I’ll share a few notable ones: In 2022-2023 I assisted the Chippewa Community Foundation’s Youth and Community Mental Health group (EUP Well) to host community movies providing information about screen time and youth mental health. Relay for Life is an annual event I look forward to supporting as cancer has touched the lives of many loved ones. Families against Narcotics (F.A.N.), Hope not Handcuffs, Stronger Together-Family support, organizations that support recovery and those with substance use disorder also hold a dear place in my heart after the shock of losing a partner to overdose in 2021. I love supporting The Friends of Bayliss Public Library because I’ve seen first hand what a large impact such a small but mighty organization can have on their community. For the past five years I’ve assisted in organizing the Chippewa County 100+ Women with Heart Campaign annually raising funds for one un-suspecting local non-profit! United Way, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) and Chippewa County Communities that Care are also two great local organizations I try to support that are always hosting community events, promoting resources and fostering community connections. More recently I’ve worked with other community members and LSSU Student Activity Center Director – Steve Habusta to invite LSSU students and community members to learn to play Pickleball, most Sundays, 1pm at the S.A.C.! I also manage the Facebook page “Pickleball of the EUP” where I hope future and current pickleball players are able to connect. In the future, I would love to work with more organizations to create a permanent outdoor pickleball court in our community.

What is your favorite part about our community and giving back?
Being involved in my community I know first hand what it takes to put together a car wash, throw a banquet, organize a food drive, host a successful event or fundraiser and help out! Giving back doesn’t just help others, it helps me! I feel connected to my community in ways that I wouldn’t be otherwise. “Community is about a series of small choices and everyday actions: how to spend a Saturday, what to do when a neighbor falls ill, how to make time when there is none.” – Jenny Anderson I enjoy spending my time giving back because I hope others get to have the same great experiences I did and enjoy growing up in our community! And “giving” doesn’t always mean providing financial support, there’s been plenty of times I didn’t have the means to give, so I would look for other ways to support -try to give my time and energy or talents when I am able. If you are able to attend and can invite your friends to car washes, burger bashes, can drives, etc. that’s great – but another easy way to give support is just by sharing information about upcoming local events or organizations, helping to spread the word can often go farther than you realize! Talk about events, share them on your social media so others know about it! And lastly, you can give your kindness in the form of words of encouragement to a volunteer- thanking a volunteer means a lot!  I should know, I am beside myself thinking about what fun I’ve had over the years, the connections and pride I have in my community as I reflect on my time spent volunteering as I accept this recognition.

What makes you want to be so involved within our community?
I’d love to give credit to my parents for always being the best model for giving your time/talents to help others and gifting me the blessing (or curse) of believing that if I can dream it then I can do it. Strong leaders I can give credit to while growing up range from my Girl Scout Leader -Pam Baril, riding instructor-Sheri Salo who taught me to put others before myself and at a young age trusted I could handle responsibility, and to educators like Mrs.Conlin (Key Club advisor), Mrs. Proulx (W.o.W advisor), Mr. Wicks (Science Club) and Mrs. Blaskowski (Art Club advisor). What drives me to continue to volunteer and show up are the faces I’ve met and worked alongside over the years – people that care deeply about our community and continue to show up even in small ways to make a big impact! Too many to list & I hope to continue to meet new faces as I volunteer!

A quote that resonated with me when I was selected for this award.

“Heroes didn’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.” – Jodi Picoult

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