A retired school teacher in Virginia Beach who remains on the go is taking action for her neighborhood!
So with the help of our community partner Southern Bank, we were able to really surprise her with a People Taking Action Award!
66-year-old Sylvia Wagner cares about her community.
"I want our neighborhood safe. I love children and that's my biggest thing. I want safety for the children," she says.
Her neighbors call her 'Miss Sylvia' and she's one of the block captains for the Carriage Mills Townhomes Homeowner's Association.
Sometimes you'll find her trimming bushes to help with visibility. "And I say if I cut it down at least parents can look out of the window and see their children," says Wagner.
Miss Sylvia also keeps track of kids playing in the neighborhood, speeding cars, making sure neighbors are maintaining their property. She's an extra set of eyes to help keep her community safe.
Why is it important for this retiree to do this?
"Because I enjoy doing it. I've always loved helping people. I've always --- I feel this is why God put me here."
Some of her neighbors are cops and they really appreciate her, just ask Virginia Beach police officer Niki Johannesen, "It's very comforting to me having her here while we're not at home," says Johannesen.
Officer Johannesen recently nominated Miss Sylvia for a crime prevention citizen award and wrote a letter explaining how when this block captain sees suspicious vehicles, people, or behavior in the neighborhood, she calls the police.
It goes on to say Miss Sylvia loves the neighborhood children. She offers to watch children, she gets kids off the school bus, and even helps children with their homework.
Because of that, we presented her with a Newschannel 3 People Taking Action award and a $100 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
