Arlene Beckles always seems to be doing something around Norcross.

Since she moved here in 2003 from New York (and before then, it was her home country of Barbados), there hasn't been a whole lot she hasn't been involved in. From the Norcross Police Department Foundation to being a mom to spearheading the city's yarn-bombing project last month, Beckles is a busy lady.

Luckily, the influential woman was able to sit down with Patch and talk about herself.

What are your different professions and volunteering jobs?
Currently, I do Quality Assurance for the Corporate Applications Division at Turner Broadcasting, and I sit on the Corporate Responsibility Council for TBS Inc., my day job.

I am on the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute Advisory Board, and in May I will be starting my term as vice chair under current Chair Keith Nabb. (I will be the first female Chair of that organization.) I lead the Mentoring Program for GNLI under the guidance of Thommi Odom, who also happens to be my Career Coach. I am in knee-deep with the Norcross Community - Imagination Chair, Norcross Arts Alliance, Safe Routes To School and the Norcross Police Department Foundation... to name a few! 

Name something notable you're especially proud of this year:
I am proud of having the support of a community that trusts me enough to join forces to do some extraordinary things in Norcross! The two most notable things for the first quarter of 2012 are the conversion of the Norcross Police Appreciation Committee to a fully operational non-profit thanks to the original committee members of 2009, and the Norcross Yarn Bomb event where approximately 30 women stitched up Norcross!

What do you like most about your volunteer roles?
Encouraging people to get involved, I just can't stand to have so much fun all by myself.

On a serious note, some of the projects that I have worked on during the years have made such an impact on the community, and I like seeing the folks who benefit and smile, especially the kids. From being called the "Chair Lady" when I walk into a school, to being referred to as an involved parent to not only one but all.

What is a saying/quote that you live by?
One can make a difference - if you take the time to listen to someone you can learn so much and that one person can make a difference that particular time in your life.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love reading, crocheting and cooking.

Do you have a favorite TV show?
Unfortunately, I am not Nielson material. TV is just background noise for me, so I don't really have a favorite show.