GlobieIn Erie (and in many cities, actually) the same handful of people tend to get all of the accolades.

That’s why I was gratified to see some new names among those who offered nominations for our second-annual GlobalErie Person of the Year award.

Some well-known names such as Millcreek cancer researcher John Kanzius and Erie Redevelopment Authority head John Elliott were thrown into the mix.

But it was encouraging to see some names that don’t get much attention locally.

GlobalErie readers nominated folks like Almitra Clerkin at the Erie Playhouse, the late Jack Tirak, businessman Kurt Duska, and plastics entrepreneur Joe Prischak for his humanitarian work in Africa.

But in the true spirit of the award, I want to single out one person who has been an unsung hero in Erie and who is quietly working to help improve the community.

Donna Reese received quite a bit of support from readers who pointed out her work with the Erie City Mission and Erie Homes for Children and Adults. She is also a successful businesswoman who has been active with the Athena PowerLink program.

One GlobalErie reader, Karyn, said this:

She is just a very active member of the community and one of our “unsung heroes”. Others that have been nominated are equally worthy of accolades, but it would be nice to see a new face win for Person of the Year.

I agree.

Erie has many people who, like Donna Reese, go above and beyond to help others.

They are what make Erie special.

And, sadly, we need many more of them.

Let’s hope others will follow her lead.