Nikki Blass, a REALTOR® with Raynard and Peirce Real Estate Company, is the Harry W. Wenz Good Neighbor Award winner for 2011! The award is given each year in honor and memory of Bud Wenz who served as Executive Vice President to the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® (CAR) for 17 years. The Good Neighbor Award recognizes a REALTOR® who has made an extraordinary commitment to helping others through volunteer work.

She has dedicated many months, days and hours as the Cub Master for North Canaan Scout Pack 22 over the last five years, prior to taking the helm of the Pack, Nikki served as a den leader for four years. She is also the president of the North Canaan Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization and volunteers as a soccer coach for the local Youth Soccer Leagues.

Nikki's level of commitment to the Scout organization is tremendous. It encompasses organizing camp outs, fishing derby's, making and delivering holiday decorations to nursing homes, oversight of all of the events, competitions, good deeds, outings, parades and recognition ceremonies that the boys of Pack 22 are involved in.

When not volunteering her time with the scouts, Nikki currently heads up the PTO. The PTO raises funds to help those in the community who are in need through the Sunshine Fund that Nikki established. This past year they held a breakfast to raise funds to help a family who lost both their home and daycare business to a fire. They organized a week or two of volunteer provided dinners for families who've recently lost a parent. Most recently Nikki organized a booth during the annual Fun Fest called "What's the Buzz All About" to support a fifth grade student undergoing treatment for cancer. He was devastated because of the loss of his hair. Students, parents and teachers participated by having all of their hair shaved off at the booth in support of the student. The money that was raised at the "buzz" booth will be used towards a "wish" for this student. These are just a few of the wonderful things Nikki Blass does through her volunteer positions for her community.

Click here to view a list of the past GNA winners.