Oak Creek Person of the Year: Honorable Mention

While Patch named Lt. Brian Murphy the 2012 Person of the Year, there were certainly no shortage of good candidates to pick from.

We asked for nominations earlier this month and got many names of people doing great things in the community. Here are a few people who get this year's "honorable mention" nod, along with comments from those who nominated them:

Tina Koenig:

Tina is one of the most Christian people I know. Everything she does, and that is a lot, is always with others best interest in mind. She is a fun-loving, happy, talented, humble, outgoing and sincere person. Tina does things for people, groups, etc., that you will never hear about. Her family and friends mean a lot to her and she does not hold back from letting them know. We are so very lucky to have Tina as a resident of Oak Creek.

Bonnie Jakubczyk:

Bonnie gives so much of herself to our soldiers and their families. She takes care of her mom and sister. She is always making crafts and blankets. She has gone on the honor flight. She is an awesome mom. She makes sure that every soldier current and past feel appreciated for serving our country. I am very proud to call her my Aunt.

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Bonnie should be your person of the year because of her love for others. Her love for God and country starts when she was a child. She is now Department Chaplain for the American Legion Auxiliary. She has been a member for 31 years at Oelschlaeger-Dallmann Unit 434 in Oak Creek. She was President twice, Vice-President, Secretary, Milwaukee County Sergeant-At-Arms and has held many chairmanships. Bonnie is a Hospital Deputy at Zablocki VA Medical Center. One of her favorite activities is helping with the Stars and Stripes Honor flight and was privileged to be a guardian for one of the flights.

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Bonnie does not overlook the current enlisted military men and women either. On numerous occasions she has sent care packages to those serving over seize. The care packages have included miniature Christmas trees, toiletry items, activity books and words of encouragement. She has often received letters from recipients grateful beyond words to know that people, like my mom are thinking of them. Bonnie also thinks about the families of fallen service men and women by making "Herogans." These handmade blankets are sent to the families who lose a loved one during combat.

Sharon Armstrong:

Sharon is constantly helping other people. She is involved in so much and does so much for the community. She is a member of the Board of Directors at OCCC and volunteers much of her time there.  She is constantly volunteering to help serve food for special function, like the Thanskgiving Dinner. She is also chairman of the Dream Drawing Committee. In addition, she is on the library board and has done countless hours of research as well as scheduling visits to other libraries in the state to give the best possible feedback regarding the new library. She also serves on the celebrations commission. In addition, although she is not part of the Lionettes, she always takes time to help volunteer at senior day as well as other Lion functions, like the St. Patrick's Day Dinner. She is a wonderful person and always does whatever she can for Oak Creek and the people of Oak Creek.

Joe Mercado:

Always has the community on his mind, whether it is staying late at the Little League diamond, going to board meetings for the Oak Creek Soccer Club, Joe always has the best interest of Oak Creek, and Oak Creek's children in mind. Always one to help in a pinch at Meadowview, when something needs to be cleaned up you can count on Joe. A dedicated husband, father, friend, and mentor Joe defines Oak Creek through his actions!