PHOTO: NICK BROOK
Pictured between Holmdene friends Gonda Stoop and Laurie Dempster, Karen volunteers for the Balclutha rest-home 3 to 5 days every week.
"Karen basically comes in to be a friend ... When she walks into a room you instantly see the residents faces light up," her nominator said.
Mrs Mehalski combines extensive nursing and rest-home experience with her motivating energy.
"I value the way my friends here make me feel as much as they appreciate whatever I help them with, I recommend it to everybody," Mrs Mehalski said.
