'Courage Comes In Many Forms': Napa Valley Hero

YOUNTVILLE, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Devon Avery of Yountville, who works for the person she nominated.

Name of the nominee / City of residence:

Sharon Stensaas, Yountville resident

Is the nominee considered an "essential worker"?:

Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:

Editor and publisher of the Yountville Sun

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

Sharon has put the paper out every single week for over 21 years, through every hardship. With newspapers shutting down all over the country, she has faithfully put the Sun in every single mailbox in town every Friday. Now with advertisers cancelling, the challenge is even greater. Anyone in town will attest, we rely on it for our local news and more. It is such a staple in our lives that we may have come to take it for granted. But we all agree losing the Yountville Sun would be akin to losing our identity. She has few resources at hand, but is employing everything she can think of to keep our beloved paper coming to us every week. It’s a lonely endeavor to sit in her office, without any personal interaction, day in and day out, keeping herself engaged with the community. Courage comes in many forms. Sharon is a silent hero. Often people don’t fully appreciate the silent heroes until they’re gone.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:

Sharon is funny and generous and stoic to a fault.

Thank you for all you do, Sharon!

>> Do YOU have a hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.