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INUVIK - Alana Mero recalls the feeling of pure satisfaction she felt in helping to build a children's park a few years ago.

As a member of the Parks and Recreation board, she realized all the parks were on the east side of town and most of the kids lived on the west, so she and her colleagues did something about it. They got council's blessing for a west side park, and sat down with a group of youngsters to get their wish list.

"They wanted benches so their mothers could watch them and swings for babies. I was so amazed to hear that. But they were so sincere," Mero said with a laugh.

Since arriving in Inuvik 11 years ago she's been devoted to local youth, especially the Children First Society that's she's been working with to fundraise for a new child development centre.

Mero was honoured on May 22 with the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Award. She was given $500 to donate to a charity of her choice - and she appropriately turned it over to the Children First Society.

"If we want to make the world a better place, it starts with our kids," she said. "It all goes back to childhood. When we deal with those issues when they're little, they don't become big issues."

Paula Guy, a director with the Children First Society, said her friend is more than deserving of the award as she's a great community role model.

"She's a volunteer. It's who she is," said Guy. "She's been with us through thick and thin.

"Even if we're having a bake sale, she's the first person to volunteer to make cookies, to volunteer her time to help us. For someone as busy as her, she goes above and beyond."

As if working full time as the Aurora Research Institute co-ordinator of the International Polar Year isn't enough, Mero chairs the Inuvik Justice Committee, and Interagency Committee. She's also a member of the NWT Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee and sits on the National Crime Prevention Council.

Mayor Derek Lindsay, who presented the award to Mero, has worked in a number of different capacities with her over the years, including the annual petroleum show, and said he's in awe of her leadership skills.

"If I had her traits, I would be president of the United States right now," said Lindsay.

"It's phenomenal how she can control a group or a crowd. Things get accomplished when she's in charge. She's held the Interagency together. Without her it would have fallen flat and be dead by now. She puts a lot of work in that no one knows or appreciates."

Although flattered by the praise, Mero is quick to deflect it to her peers and colleagues.

"When there's a community issue, people come together," she said. "Everybody works on solving the problem. It becomes about solving the problem rather than who's going to take credit or who's in charge. That's unique."

A trained social worker, Mero taught at Aurora College for nine years before starting her new job. She has always carried a responsibility to give back with a strong sense of social justice.

"When we volunteer, we give of ourselves to the community," said Mero. "And when we do that, we make the community that much stronger. The more we give, the more we get."