Vanessa Riplinger loves her hometown of Williams Lake on so many levels.
As executive director of the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre, there is never a day she is not eager to go to work, she said.
"I've never dreaded coming to work. I almost feel guilty because I get to do what I am passionate about every day. I love our community."
Williams Lake is a great place to live, she added.
"We are so fortunate that we have such a kind and giving community. I get to work with these children and adults and be a part of something so much bigger than myself."
Listing the Foundry, CDC and chamber, which she has been on the board or involved with for 20 years, she added, "there are so many people trying to do good and I think sometimes people don't see that."
Riplinger has called Williams Lake her hometown since she was two-years-old when her parents moved herself and her brothers, Clay and Scott, from Moose Jaw, Sask.
Her late father, Jim Whitely, was an electrician and her mom, Sharon Whitely, worked for the provincial government for many years.
"My mom and dad taught me to work and I grew up in an amazing family," she said.
She attended Poplar Glade, Williams Lake Junior Secondary and Columneetza schools and after graduating went to post secondary school in Nanaimo and Victoria.
Riplinger then moved to Christchurch, N.Z., and lived there four years.
Her daughter, Taylor Morrow, was born there and lives in Williams Lake now as well.
Upon her return to Williams Lake, Riplinger married Brent Riplinger who also grew up in Williams Lake. They had a son, Keaton, who is studying natural resources at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
Riplinger said she has spent most of her working life in jobs that help others.
Initially she worked a series of jobs before landing at the Women's Contact Society with Linda Symnyuk.
"Linda really inspired me and then I came over to the child development centre 27 years ago."
Her first position was coordinator manager of supported child development, which was a new program that had just started.
While in high school she volunteered at the CDC, she recalled.
This year Riplinger and her staff, working with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, will host the 27th Annual Yuletide Dinner, Dec. 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic School Hall.
She started the tradition with Lindsey Gasparini at the Overlander and there was one time they served 900 people dinner, she recalled.
The CCDC will also host its 19th Christmas Wish Breakfast on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Boston Pizza.
"I think they are the only Boston Pizza that does breakfast so it is a really neat event for them," she said.
The Goat FM, Cariboo Country, chamber, Daybreak Rotary, city council, Bean Counter Bistro and Café partner with the CDC for the event.
When she's not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her young grandson Hayes.
"Having grandchildren really changes you, doesn't it," she said.
Additionally, she likes to cook Sunday dinners, loves going to the family cabin in the summer and said they are having fun with a new pontoon boat they purchased.
"I love golf too," she added. "My girlfriends and I love weekend tournaments and monthly book club. My husband and I enjoy time with friends, but also time with just the two of us."
