Courtesy Photo BJ Sander, above left, receives a certificate, flowers, and a $1,000 gift card from Art Van’s Katie Young-Engstrom, at right. Sander earned the honor of “Inspirational Hero.”

BJ Sander of Alpena has been recognized by Art Van Furniture in Alpena as its hometown hero for her selfless efforts to help others as part of the company’s “Inspiration Lives Here in Our Community” initiative. Art Van recently presented her with a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 Art Van gift card.

Each of Art Van Furniture’s 77 locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Iowa selected a deserving inspirational hero in their community. Shoppers were encouraged to nominate someone they knew who positively impacts others through their words or deeds and quietly uplifts others by simple acts of kindness.

Sander was nominated by Nicole Heberling who shared that Sander worked to revive the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Sander works countless hours helping others. She has implemented a cooking school for teens to help them with life skills at the center and created a garden area on the property for meals to be made from with fresh produce. The facility also offers soups for sale to the community and the funds go back to the center. Sander recently wrote her first grant which was approved for extensive kitchen renovations and other improvements to the center. She cares for her elderly mother as well.

“Inspirational heroes like BJ are everywhere — in our own homes, at our workplaces, and in our community,” said David Van Elslander, community spokesperson for Art Van Furniture and son of founder Art Van Elslander. “It’s the small acts of kindness that make such a big difference, like lending a hand, eliciting a smile or donating one’s time. We hear stories every day in our showrooms about wonderful people, and this is our way of thanking them for their efforts.”

Nominations were submitted from Sept. 26 through Oct. 14. For more information, visit artvan.com.