Published in The BANAR June, 2018 by Evelyn Budd
We have Roger Smiley to thank for encouraging Laura to come to the BCA’s AGM meeting in 2008 and get involved. Laura became the Community Relations director that evening. In 2009 she became Vice-president and in 2010 she was elected President. Roger knew this was someone who had vision and a lot of energy!
As a community builder, Laura reached out, formed partnerships with all the right people and organizations and has brought a great many community iniatives to completion. Thank you!
Laura feels the best part of volunteering has been getting to know the people in the Hamlet and working with the board to resolve the many issues that come up. She also says providing opportunities to bring people of all ages to “do good”, celebrate and have a good time inspires her.
Her latest project—the Four Corners beautification refects the very artistic and joie de vie of the Blackburn community and is a project dear to her heart. Laura says that she has very much appreciated being President but felt it was time to pass the opportunity to the new group of board members who are engaged, dedicated and excited to help the community. Vice-president Ali Yassine will be stepping into the President’s role.
“Blackburn is a community of volunteers and of friends. We try to help each other when we need it and I always felt that it was important for me to play my part by helping in the best way I knew how.” Laura Dudas