We can think of few endeavors more noble in life than providing a deserving person with shelter.

Fran Alwood has made that her calling since 1992 and while she’s handing over the reigns of Habitat for Humanity in Suffolk to another, she’s left a legacy of which to be proud.

That’s why we’re proud to name her the Suffolk News-Herald’s Citizen of the Year.

Sports editor Jason Norman’s profile of Alwood beginning on page 1D of today’s final installment of our 2005 Horizons edition is well-written account of Alwood’s devotion to her cause — whether it was helping students when she worked in education, or in her life sense as the head of Habitat in Suffolk. She has made Suffolk a better place to live and has set a fine example for others to follow.

In the same section with the story on our Citizen of the Year, there’s a section on Unsung Heroes. These people were nominated by our readers for the good deeds they do day in and day out without recognition or compensation, other than the good feeling that comes with helping out their fellow man.

It’s an uplifting section. It’s people like Alwood and our Unsung Heroes who make it a good time to be in Suffolk.