Lower Beaver Neighborhood Association

Sophie Vlassis presented with Volunteer Award

Jul 31, 2006

By Janet Herrold

I moved to my home on Bel-Aire Road in August of 2000, which was just three months after the LBNA Articles of Incorporation were signed.

Before I had all my furniture in my house, I received a flyer about National Night Out. I wanted to attend because I thought it would be a great way to get to know some of my neighbors.

I walked over to Woodlawn Park and as I was walking up to the registration table, I heard a voice from my past say, ?“Janet Herrold, come over here!?” I looked up and there was my seventh-grade teacher, Sophie Vlassis. I was initially amazed that she recognized me, and I was even more amazed that after all these years, I obediently marched right over to her table (after all, she had been my teacher!) In typical ?“Sophie Style?” I was welcomed to the picnic and the neighborhood, and we reminisced about the ?“good old days.?” Before I left the table, I was notified that I would join the neighborhood association and I would become active.

While I was at National Night Out, I met many nice people; I joined the LBNA, and I was very glad that I had decided to move to the Lower Beaver Neighborhood.

Since I have joined the LBNA, I have noticed one constant motivator. One person with what seems like endless energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the area that she calls home. This person has been involved with the Association since its inception and has done more than her fair share of the work for the betterment of the neighborhood.

I?’m sure that most of you have already figured out that I?’m talking about the very special Sophie Vlassis.

I would like to remind everyone of just some of the ways that Sophie has helped the Association. She has run the Special Events Committee for numerous years. This is a committee which requires a lot of planning and organizing. She has organized the National Night Out each August; the Holiday Lighting contests each December; and a Holiday Open House where we collected non-perishable items and clothing for the needy. Sophie has organized a Garage Sale, ?“Here Comes Summer?” Potluck/Picnic, Spring Fling, Craft/Bake Sale, Music in the Park, Granny?’s Ice Cream Socials and the Annual Meetings, to name a few.

Now, I don?’t want you to think that Sophie is just a ?“party girl.?” She has also served by organizing a committee to hand out different flyers and putting messages on the COPS system. She sees that our events get into the newspaper; she has been on the Nominations Committee and in 2001 was also on a committee to change the By-Laws. She was also very active during all the meetings about the Sawyer?’s Landing project.

Sophie has done all these things and at the same time has kept a very positive and happy outlook.

Sophie, I am proud to report that the LBNA Board voted to start a new tradition in your honor. We are starting an annual award to be presented to a person who has given of their time and talents to the LBNA.

I am proud to present you with what is the first LBNA ?“Sophie Vlassis Volunteer Award.?” We thank you for all that you have done to help promote the Association and the Neighborhood.