VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Outside the Virginia Beach Voter Registration and Elections office, News 3's cameras caught a glimpse of Denise Toupin heading inside. The surprise is about to unfold—moments later, she heads our way with the Director of Elections for the Resort City, Christine Lewis.
Denise who had been on vacation was very puzzled. "I don't know what's going on!" she said. Christine called me and I said 'I'm at Seaworld now, I don't know if I can be there.' So I told her I'd get back to her, but I thought it was something to do with voting."
It was all a part of our celebration of her work. She responded with a laugh, "I just show up!"
But it's much more than that.
For 31 years Toupin has helped out at polling locations in Virginia Beach, working incredibly long hours when elections roll around.
Donna Jordan who also works in the voter registration office added Toupin shows up with treats.
"She brings us goodies! She brings us food, she usually brings it herself. She has a great heart!" Jordan said.
She said the work is fun.
Tracy Gibson, a voter registration and elections supervisor added it's not just the treats Toupin brings.
"She has a really calming presence, very much so," Gibson said. "She's wonderful and we're grateful to have her!"
In addition to Toupin's three decades of service helping out with elections in Virginia Beach, she's also given 25 years of support to Special Olympics and, for more than 30 years, has helped out with the Neptune Festival.
"I think we all should give back to the community," she said. "I just think if you can do it, you should do it."
Christine Lewis, the Director of Elections, helped News 3 coordinate the surprise and shared this with Toupin: "And you're an amazing person and you help out with our office every year and we just wanted to say thank you."
Toupin was grateful for the kind words.
For all Toupin is doing, News 3 presented her with an Everyday Hero award, along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank, which Toupin hinted, in part might be used for more treats!
