Community awards: Humanitarian of the year

Editor's note: The Community Awards recognizes the people who make our communities special.

The Nevada Appeal solicited nominations for the awards during May and a panel of readers chose three finalists and the winner in each of the 12 categories. The Appeal will run short stories on those finalists from now until the awards banquet at the Carson Nugget, which will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. June 26. At the banquet, first lady Dawn Gibbons and Appeal Publisher John DiMambro will present the awards to the winner in each of the categories. For information about the banquet, or to purchase tickets, call 882-2111.

Today, we feature the finalists in the category for Humanitarian of the Year, which recognizes those who have taken personal interest in the problems in their communities and have shown determination or sacrifice in solving them.

Stewart Peebles

Carson City resident and retired choir teacher Stewart Peebles taught for 20 years.

"I'm shocked. This was really nice," said Peebles of his nomination as humanitarian of the year. "But I think there are more people out there that deserve this better than I do."

In 1984, Peebles graduated with his bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the University of Vienna in Austria. He then graduated with a bachelor's in music education with an emphasis in music therapy, from the University of Montana in 1985.

Peebles moved to Carson City in 1985, accepting a job offer as an itinerant music teacher before Carson High School offered him a full-time position as choir director.

While at Carson High School, he met Evan Gadda, a young disabled man who attended all choir concerts, plays and events. Later, it became impossible for Gadda to travel from Reno to Carson City. On several occasions, Peebles drove to Reno himself to bring Gadda to Carson.

"There were a few times when I wasn't able to pick him up. I felt bad and even tried to find him a ride, but he always managed to get here," Peebles said.

During Peebles' time at CHS, the choir program flourished. A single class that once held nine students grew into eight classes of more than 300 students.

The school's choir is now ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation. "We've traveled all over competing, even Europe," Peebles said.

Peebles and his wife Mary have one daughter, Elizabeth, 17, and one son, Joel, 20.

"My biggest accomplishment is being able to teach students, and to make an impression in their lives," he said. "It's great to be able to watch them turn into musicians or see them teaching music."

Ruth Merriner

A native of Pennsylvania, Ruth Merriner, 85, has been an active volunteer and philanthropist in Carson City since November 1970.

Her latest project, and the one she is most proud of, is the Merriner Cottages, on Medical Parkway.

"Before my husband, Delbert, died, he asked me to build a place where cancer patients could go to recover from their treatments," she said. "He wanted to build a home away from home, a place for even those who couldn't afford it could go."

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare's Merriner Cottages were completed in December. It is the first establishment of its kind in Nevada. The 15 cottages, built next to the hospital, are available to patients undergoing cancer treatment and are possible because of the $2 million donation by the Merriner Family Trust.

"I didn't want to be mentioned as a donator because I didn't want people to think I was flaunting my wealth. But, my lawyer convinced me it would be a good thing to mention it. And, it has been," Merriner said. "I haven't heard one negative comment. This is beyond my imagination."

During the 18-month project, Merriner also donated lamps, wreaths and books and embroidered something special for every room.

In addition to the cottage project, she has been a member of the Soroptimists International since 1972. Soroptimist International is a world wide organization for women to advance human rights and the status of women.

Merriner lives in Carson City from December through May and in New Zealand for June through November. She has four children, Audrey Lee, 62, Patti Ann Merriner, 57, Richard Alan Merriner, 47, Wayne Andurs-Merriner, 43, and 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Ray Sidney

A Harvard and MIT graduate, Ray Sidney, 37, moved to Stateline more than two years ago after cashing in at Google when the company went public.

Sidney is a Storrs, Conn., native and attended high schools in Ottawa, Canada, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Since his recent move to Stateline, Sidney has donated more than $2 million to Douglas High School; $250,000 to South Tahoe Middle School's track-and-field program; $200,000 to the Kahle Community Center; and $1 million to BlueGo bus system. Other recipients include Carson Valley Middle School, Jacks Valley Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada, the Food Bank, a local volleyball team, the sheriff's department, and many other organizations. He has donated to many national charities including Multiple Sclerosis research the Hertz Foundation, and has created numerous scholarships.

"I wanted to nominate Ray because he fit the bill perfectly," said Robbe Lehmann. "I've never seen someone care about the community as much as he does."

Sidney has also demonstrated his commitment to the health of the planet by donating millions of dollars to the X-Prize Foundation, which promotes the development of energy-efficient automobiles.

Big George Ventures was founded in late 2005 by Sidney and is planning to develop housing in Carson Valley. The company has also set up a fellowship for MIT for $1 million to $2 million.

"I am proud to help worthy causes and people," Sidney said. "I can't take the money with me. So I use it to help improve the world."

Triathlons, bike rides, races, Ironman, walks for breast cancer, marathons, and challenges are just some of the organized sporting events Sidney been a part of.