SIMPSONVILLE—Norma Guzzardo, a member of St. Mary Magdalene Church and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Council 10819, was one of three recipients of the 2009 Heroes Next Door Award. It was given by Greenville Forward, a city revitalization organization.
The award was presented to Guzzardo on Nov. 5 for volunteering her time and energy to make Greenville County a better place to live, according to a press release.
Guzzardo has been active in the Ladies Auxiliary, having served as chairman of their craft fair for the last three years, and as the club’s vice president and membership chairman for the last two years.
Since March 2006, Guzzardo has volunteered at Safe Harbor, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. She manages and coordinates the Kid’s Cases program at Safe Harbor and has been instrumental in the sewing of 492 bags during the last three years.
She has also helped obtain donations to fill the bags with school supplies, books, stuffed animals, balls, hair supplies and many other items for the children during their stay at Safe Harbor’s shelters in Greenville and Anderson.
Guzzardo volunteers her time once a week at the shelter. She also speaks to other groups about Safe Harbor and promotes the Kid’s Cases program.
Guzzardo participates in the Guardian ad Litem program in Greenville County Family Court. She has worked with at-risk youth throughout her 43 years of service, having been a principal at an elementary school in Rockford, Ill., a teacher at Furman University in Greenville, and a curriculum coordinator at Greer High School in Greer. She is now retired.