Faces of PALS: Mike Nesbit
Mike Nesbit, a maintenance technician at J.D. Irving, Limited’s (JDI) Saint John head office, had only been with the company for a few months when he started to help out with the newly launched PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) program. This year, Mike marked 25 years at JDI and PALS celebrated its 25th anniversary. And a quarter century on, Mike’s still playing a vital role in PALS.
Since it was founded by James K. Irving and the Anglophone South School District in 2000, PALS’s success has been driven by many volunteers, educators and partner organizations.
In the community and in local schools, PALS has a visible presence through volunteer mentors and coaches, the Kids on the Go Bus and events like the annual Saint John Soap Box Derby fundraiser. It’s the behind-the-scenes people like Mike who make sure everything runs smoothly.
Over the years, Mike has helped with everything from hanging sports banners and building shelves to deliveries of school supplies and holiday hampers and anything else that’s needed in between, making sure everything is set up just so.
“He has a special way of anticipating what needs to be done,” said Deborah Fisher, PALS coordinator. “We couldn’t do what PALS does without him.”
There’s one duty Mike looks forward to most each year: the PALS holiday tree. Each December, students from local schools help decorate the tree adorning the lobby at 300 Union, JDI’s Saint John head office. Mike has now been a part of 20 years’ worth of trees, setting them up and helping the kids hang their decorations.”
“I put up all the lights and then help the kids because they can’t reach high up,” he said.
Year after year he’s played this special role. Each year, there’s a different theme for the decorations, but one thing stays the same. His banter with the students is usually one of the highlights of the children’s experience.
“We have them come over and they can be characters. You get to watch them grow up,” he said.
“It’s probably what I like most because that’s when I get to interact with the kids.”
Thanks, Mike, for your 25 years of service!
About PALS
Partners Assisting Local Schools is a community-based initiative co-founded by James K. Irving and the Anglophone South School District to support students and schools in New Brunswick. By fostering partnerships between businesses, educators and volunteers, PALS creates programs that address educational challenges and promote student success.
