…unanimously, Pat Wisyanski ! Nominated by Yvonne Waller – thanks Yvonne! Here is Yvonne's entry. I think you will see why our judges had no trouble selecting Pat:

A friend of mine,
Pat, is the type of person who is always giving to others. She knows the true
meaning of “Giving Is Awesome”.

 Let’s start in the
beginning. First off, Pat came from a family of 9 brothers and sisters and at an
early age she had to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. Her father
died when she was only 13.  She had to
leave home at the age of 16 because of an abusive stepfather, and she took one
of younger sisters with her to protect her from the abuse. She raised that sister on her own, and still
finished school. Pat then suffered through an abusive first marriage of her
own; although ending in divorce, she emerged a stronger person. She then
started opening her home to other abused women and children. In a successful
second marriage, she has helped in excess of 20 foster children who had no
place else to turn.

Next,
because of addition to drugs, her son and daughter in law decided to abandon
their children. Pat’s grandkids were left in a basket in her front yard, for
her to raise. Pat adopted the children and took on this huge responsibility. Grandparents left with the responsibility for
the welfare of their grandchildren are often faced with a situation that tests
all their resources at a time when they can least afford it. It didn’t take Pat
long to jump back into the whirlwind of responsibilities, decisions,
disciplinary dilemmas, medical appointments, homework assignments,
parent-teacher conferences, and the list goes on. Pat does all this…and
more…and does it selflessly.

Pat has never had
the extra money to have professional photos of these two angels. She was
overwhelmed with joy when I told her that I was going to nominate her for this
“Giving is Awesome” Award. She would cherish artwork of the two little ones
that fill her life with so much joy.

Pat has spent her
whole life giving to others while having to survive the everyday challenges
that it takes to survive in today’s world. 
She makes the most of what life has given her and she meets it everyday
with a smile and an attitude to make the best of life.  That in itself has given hope for those
lives that she has touched. You would have to look far and wide to find a more
deserving person.

Congratulations Pat! I look forward to meeting you and your little ones soon!

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