Our Buckeye Good Neighbor: Bernadette Mills

Bernadette (Bernie) Mills is a great neighbor and person to all. She is a wife, mother of two, and a full-time employee who always lends a helping hand.

Even through her youngest daughter’s recent serious illness and all of the medical treatment and stress that comes along with it, Bernie continues to smile and bring her positive personality to the arts community especially.

She gives workshops to artists on grant writing and has helped establish a series of art workshops called “Follow Your Art,” a city of Goodyear program that helps artists promote their work.

She was also recently nominated Civic Leader of the Year by Leadership West. And now, she can add Trellis Good Neighbor to her much-deserved list of accomplishments!

The delivery

We met our board member David Schwake, Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck and Artist Ronda Miller outside of Bernie’s house, gave a quick knock, and she answered the door in complete surprise.

TRellis Good Neighbor Bernie Mills

And to our surprise, Bernie had already been following our Good Neighbor Initiative. So we like to think she was extra-excited to receive this bench!

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After exchanging smiles, handshakes and hugs, Mayor Beck showed his appreciation for having residents like Bernie in the Buckeye community.

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Mayor Beck said:

“I didn’t know Bernadette Mills until today, but I envy the people who live in her Buckeye neighborhood, the neighborhood in Goodyear where she recently moved from, as well as the people she works with in Surprise. They all know the wonderful person she is.

But I do know people like Bernadette, people who somehow reach beyond the roadblocks life presents them to make a difference in their communities.

Somehow these good people can focuse intently on their own family and friends, yet they find the time – and especially the energy – to make a positive impact on the people at work and in their neighborhoods.”

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Thank you Bernie for being a GREAT neighbor! To send Bernie a virtual “congrats!” head over to our Facebook page.

 

Have a good neighbor who deserves a one-of-a-kind bench? You can still nominate them! Learn how here.