Nesbit Commitment to Caring Award goes to Sides

Crediting her education under the tutelage of the Sisters of Christian Charity and the Sisters of Mercy, Carol D. Sides accepted the 2019 Dr. Alexander Nesbitt Commitment to Caring Award Thursday at The Elder & Special Needs Resource Center.

"All they said was 'you have to serve people' and when you have that in you, it's not you that is creating that. We lived with it," she said. "When you get that kind of training, you can't help but offer it to others."

In its sixth year, the award, which is inspired by Nesbitt, recognizes an individual or nonprofit in the community who shows an extraordinary commitment to caring that improves the lives of others.

According to Julieanne Steinbacher of the elder care law firm of Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak, which created the award in 2014, Sides has "certainly led a life that gives example of a commitment to caring."

"While she has been instrumental to the growth and longevity of their family music business and she certainly has contributed to the music and the arts in the region, Carol did not confine her interests to that pursuit," Steinbacher said.

The organizations Sides has served with include the Lycoming-Clinton Joinder Board Children and Youth subcommittee, the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus community coalition and the Williamsport YWCA board. She also served as a leader of the Williamsport Art Council and is a member of the state Council of the Arts. Sides has also served the Republican Party, locally and on a national level, as well as various musical groups.

"However beneficial her involvement with these many pursuits has been and continues to be," Steinbacher said, "Carol is known as a woman who is relentless in her efforts to affect change in some very important arenas."

Sides worked to found the Lycoming chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. The local group currently meets at her family's music store and recently expanded into Clinton County.

"Carol has been described as one of Lycoming County's most active women, in politics, music, education and business," Steinbacher said.

She went on to say that Sides has been described as "passionate, dedicated and driven." She has also been described as "selflessly compelled" to help others. She has been described as "relentless" in her approach to the commitment she makes to people, organizations and the community. And she has been described as "humble," often preferring to affect change by working hard behind the scenes or within a collaborative framework.

After listening to her list of accomplishments, Sides quipped, "I'm in the middle of a stress management course right now."

"There are more things to be done in the community. It's been a privilege. You can't even imagine the people I've met over the years, thanks to the music and to the other things I've been involved in. But, it's been my privilege to serve them. The gratitude that you get from the big hugs," Sides said.

She shared how she had spent time with some of the residents at Danville State earlier this week.

"You really learn to appreciate when you see people who have needs," she noted. "It's just easy for us to help. It's a natural thing."

Nesbitt, who could not attend this event, sent a video message.

"How pleased I am that Carol Sides is receiving this award. She is so deserving of this. We live in a world where a lot of people will look around and see problems, Carol sees problems and looks to see what she can do to make this better," Nesbitt said.