'Dedicated To Bringing The Community Together': Carlsbad Hero

CARLSBAD, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We're working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Diane Nothnagel who nominated Candy Gibson of Carlsbad.

Local hero's full name

Candy Gibson

Local hero's home state

California

Local hero's Patch

Carlsbad

How do you know the local hero?

I practice at her yoga studio and attend many of the other events that she sponsors.

What does the local hero do?

Candy owns and operates Carlsbad Village Yoga. Her goal is to improve one's well-being and to bring the community together through yoga and other activities. She believes that yoga should be accessible to all, fun and make you feel good.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Candy is dedicated to bringing the Carlsbad community together and to promoting good health and well-being to the members of the community. Her outreach encompasses children, people in need, older adults and all other members of the community.

She encourages volunteering by offering discounts to people who volunteer in the community "Karmic Yoga." She provides discounted classes to members of iJourney (disabled veterans) and Leap to Confidence (empowers women who are overcoming domestic violence and homelessness). She sponsors workshops for the community ranging from kombucha making to personal journaling to "Finding Happiness" (taught by the renown monk Bhante Sujatha).

She sponsors a weekly hiking group "Cotton Chilz" and monthly inspirational book club that is open to all.

She organized a candlelight vigil and march for Sara Celeste Otero after she went missing in January.

She is chairperson of the Food Policy Council to help reduce food waste in San Diego County

She works with the Mira Costa Training Program to help train yoga teachers. She works with Accountable Communities for Health to help develop new approaches to wellness.

She sponsors the Carlsbad Watermelon Festival to promote gardening with children. She works as the gardening docent at an elementary school.

She is a wonderful ambassador to the community of Carlsbad, always encouraging us to support local businesses. Candy is always inclusive, fun loving, funny and compassionate. Finally, she beautifies the neighborhood by planting the area around the studio and parking lot where classes are held.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

Candy is a truly caring person who strives to make the community better. She is a role model for all of us.

Thank you for all you do, Candy Gibson!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a local hero here.