This month we celebrate Best of the City, a most welcome celebration of all who give their best for our wonderful community. Writing for more than a year now on our remarkable local Renaissance, the underlying theme of every one of my articles is local citizens extending a hand to improve the human condition. Not surprisingly, it was the same hundreds of years ago with the original Renaissance artisans, scientists and entrepreneurs lifting society by their bold genius.

My wife and I are hosting an incoming WSU medical school student in an effort to provide him a home away from home. It is an easy duty with our town filled with welcoming Best of the City businesses on seemingly every corner. This first-year cohort of 60 students, all connected to Washington in some manner, is exciting for the exponential impact health care providers always have on our future well-being. All who collaborated on this new school did so in the hope of helping others.

My optimism for our future is buoyed daily by so many good news stories. The good hearted nonprofit, Embrace Washington, is growing by incredible acts of kindness to help foster children. Two years ago, 15 spirited Leadership Spokane adult leaders procured dozens of cheerful, hand-painted duffle bags to give to children who are removed from homes by Child Protective Services. Today, more than 1,000 bags of hope have been donated by so many who want to offer a hand.

I am still moved by meeting Gayle in the past year, recently retired from Hospice of Spokane, who gave her heart to salute veterans facing their final days, delivering special American flag stars to thank them for their service. Clearly, we as a community are “Best of the City” because of the special citizens locally who take Mother Teresa’s advice to “Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Our Renaissance continues because of such acts.

Col. Brian Newberry, USAF ret. is the executive director of Leadership Spokane and former Commander, 92 ARW, Fairchild AFB.