Heidi Blais,
A Hero In Our Midst

Heidi Blais has devoted her life to children, first as a teacher, then as a mother, and now as one of New Hampshire's most magnanimous volunteers.

After retiring from her career as a special education teacher and raising her own children, Blais, 58, "missed education" and she began her remarkable work with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, and New Hampshire Partners in Education.

For eight of the fifteen years she has spent volunteering, Blais has mentored her Little Sister, who is also named Heidi. Since Little Heidi was six-years-old, the pair has been "adventuring." Together, they volunteer at local community service outlets, go sailing, or see museums. "She even took me skateboarding," recalls Blais. "I never realized that my Little would make such an astounding impact on my life."

Little Heidi has been equally touched by their relationship. After one of her first outings with Blais, Little Heidi said, "Heidi, do you want to know something? My heart has a big smile on it." But Blais' presence has been a stabilizing force as well as a source of enjoyment. "When life became hectic and at times unpredictable for her Little Sister, Heidi was someone she could trust and count on," says Erin Laviolette, Program Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters. To commemorate their time together, Blais and Little Heidi compiled a scrapbook, which they shared with Manchester mayor, Frank Guinta.

In recognition of the Blais' influence, Little Heidi's mother says, "She has taken Little Heidi to do things/places that she might never have gotten to do or see. They are like two peas in a pod. I know that even when Heidi reaches 18 that these two will still be in touch with each other."

In addition to her devoted work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blais also donates her time to a series of other organizations. "My husband says I'm never home," she says of the time she spends juggling her many commitments to her community in addition to her full time job. Despite her steadfast devotion to the youth of Manchester, Blais insists, "I don't see myself as a hero. I just see myself as a caring individual."

But Blais looks forward to hearing from her community. She believes in the tradition of card-sending and is flattered that Heroes In Our Midst is asking residents of New Hampshire to write to her. "I send cards because I prefer the personal touch. I don't think quick emails do it sometimes. I like giving them myself because it's a good way to show someone you're thinking of them… and I guess [receiving them] is a good way to say that I'm doing a good job."