Hometown Heroes
Edina is made up of people who pride themselves with making the city a great place for living, learning, raising families and doing business.
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Andy Warczak
Andy Warczak has had a lifelong passion for trees. He's donated about $15,000 over the last few years for maples, oaks and evergreens to be planted in east Edina parks, leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy.
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Bluebirds & Blooms
This not-for-profit organization, started in 2018 in Edina, uses donated flower to create and distribute 350-400 floral arrangements a week to memory care units and senior living facilities, bringing joy to residents and giving extra flowers new life.
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Bob Kojetin
The longest serving Parks & Recreation Director continues to give to Edina through preserving its history, honoring its veterans and building everything from parade floats to ice show props.
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Daniel DeBruzzi
U.S. Air Force veteran Daniel DeBruzzi and a friend were about to grab snacks for a party when they spotted a carjacking in progress at 50th & France and sprang to action. DeBruzzi's special forces military training helped thwart the carjackers, who were later arrested, and save the woman they had targeted.
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Edina Public Schools Health Services Staff
Monitoring the health and well-being of more than 8,000 K-12 students falls to roughly two dozen licensed school nurses and health service associates, who tackled and continue to face the extra challenges presented by COVID-19.
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Fartun Ismail
Fartun Ismail founded the nonprofit Somali American Women Action Center (SAWAC). One way SAWAC is helping the environment is by making dambiil (tote bags) out of natural fibers. These bags keep plastic out of landfills and provide a source of income for the women who make them.
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Kawthar Benarouch
Kawthar Benarouch has twice lettered in community service at Edina High School and will be studying in India in summer 2022 and then later in South Korea on a full scholarship as she works to graduate high school as a certified Global Scholar.
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Pacy Erck
Pacy Erck's first job was at Braemar Golf Course during its inaugural season in 1964 and she's been part of Braemar ever since, serving on the Association board, committees and forming the new, consolidated Braemar Women's Club. Erck, on behalf of her family, is a frequent donor to City improvements, including giving $30,000 so a long-dream-of heirloom clock will soon be installed near the clubhouse.
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Paul Thompson
Climate advocacy has been Paul Thompson's calling for most of his adult life. Retirement hasn't slowed him as he's co-founded nonprofit Cool Planet to raise awareness of climate change, encouraged Project Earth participants at Edina Public Schools and been involved with the Energy & Environment Commission, Sierra Club , Green America and Braver Angels.
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Russell Stanton
The Brookview Heights resident took the top prize at the Minnesota State Fair in 2022 with a whopping 2.74-pound tomato, grown with the help of compost from Edina's own organics recycling program.
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Tom Cornell
Tom Cornell is a champion for the adaptive sports community. He helped found FREE-DAPTIVE DIVERS, a non-profit organization that provides scuba diving opportunities to individuals with disabilities. He also has been a volunteer with Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute since 2014, where he has helped with adaptive cycling and water skiing and established an adaptive diving program.