Lori Reist lives by her own personal motto to be kind, always.
Since moving to Airdrie in 2008, the mother of five has helped found and support a number of organizations dedicated to helping those struggling in the city.
“Many people are struggling and hurting behind the scenes, and we have no idea,” Reist says. “It’s important to me to help others any way that I can. You don’t need to have money to help out, you can give with your time and efforts.”
Reist founded Airdrie-based Adopt-A-Grad Foundation of Canada, which works with high school students struggling with graduation-related costs. Graduates are also able to browse an inventory of formal wear and select something to wear for free.
Reist is a volunteer member of two local boards: the Airdrie Food Bank and the Kalix Legacy Foundation. She also founded Airdrie’s #livelocal campaign that sells locally created goods with 100 per cent of proceeds from the mark-up going to support the Airdrie community.
Steve Miles nominated his sister, Reist, because he sees firsthand how passionate she is about getting involved in the community.
“How she does it, where she finds the time, I don’t know,” says Miles. “But I do know she inspires many peers, and with any luck generations of graduates to carry on that passion for community investment and giving back however they can.”