Debbie Smith has volunteered as a coach for the Salina Aquatics Club for over a decade. She is also the volunteer director for all the Swim Meets in Salina. She explained how volunteers are what help this club to function. Kids from ages 5 through 18 participate in the Salina Aquatics Club. “Volunteerism is huge, it’s what I do,” she told us.
Debbie has driven a school bus for USD 307 for the past 21 years. She has had the same rout in a section of the district; Debbie tells how she has been driving the same group of kids from the ages of 5 to 18 the entire time. She is now on her second generation of children. Debbie says, “Ell-Saline is such a wonderful tight-knit community, it’s so fun, I get to be part of their lives for 12 years.” Debbie is clearly more than a Bank VI Hero of the Week, but is also a hero to all the children she has the opportunity to interact with.
Debbie also explained her unique opportunity to help these children navigate social issues, some of these children she is on the bus with for up to two hours at a time, giving her plenty of time to interact and grow relationships with them. She told us how much she enjoys watching these children come back to the community to start their own families because they enjoyed growing up in the small town environment. “Its a positive environment,” Debbie expresses.
Debbie was surprised about winning Salina hero of the Week. “I just do what I do and it is not about me, it is about the kids. It’s about being a positive encourager so that each child can achieve their potential.”
It’s for this reason she exemplifies the characteristics of the Bank VI Salina Hero of the Week. She does not seek reward or recognition for her actions, Debbie’s goal is to be part of the greater good, an individual who knows the bigger picture and strives to help the next generation grow and reach their potential. Congratulations Debbie, from Bank VI & the Salina Post!
