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Last year, The Woodinville Rotary and Woodinville Weekly teamed
up to search for and select a Woodinville “Citizen of the
Year.”
Once again the hunt is on for candidates who embody
the Rotary motto “Service above self.” This year will mark the
17th year the award has been bestowed upon a citizen whose impact
on the quality of life in Woodinville has been exceptional.
Until last year, the recipient was selected from a vote taken by
Woodinville Rotarians. Last year was a departure from that
practice since, with the help of The Woodinville Weekly, the
community at large was asked to help find those special people who
make helping others a part of their daily life.
The recipient need not reside in Woodinville, so long as their
volunteer or philanthropic activity has had an impact on
Woodinville. Prior awardees have been involved in food banks,
public safety, homeless shelters, teen support, parks and
recreation development.
Last year’s winner, Gerry Vucci, was selected for his
volunteerism in helping high school students learn fire and life
safety skills using hands-on training.
He was just one of several appropriately nominated
community-minded citizens.
Vucci quickly took the $2,000 award and divided its distribution
evenly among four beneficiaries: Little Bit Therapeutic Riding
Center, Woodinville Country Home, Woodinville Fire Explorer Post,
and American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Woodinville Rotary President Rick Pisani said, “It’s not hard
to find nominees in our community. We bump into them everyday in
our schools doing everything from math club to supporting a senior
dance. They’re on the soccer fields, football fields and
basketball courts coaching without monetary compensation.
“They’re driving (or even flying) the frail to medical
appointments. Although the rules do not allow us to nominate a
Rotarian, I like to think that the ideal nominee is someone who
you would want to join any club you belong to.
“Having The Woodinville Weekly involved in this process last
year was really special because quite frankly everyone is a winner
when we read about the nominees’ endeavors. They serve as an
inspiration to all of us to get out there and lend a hand.”
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Previous
Recipients
1990
– Glenn Kelly, Lee Fletcher-McGookin, Foster Care
1991 – Leigh Richardson, Woodinville Friends of the
Library
1992
– Carol Edwards, Teen Northshore
1993
– Al DeYoung, Evergreen Hospice Foundation
1994
– Gretchen Garth, Teen Northshore
1995
– Don Julien, Woodinville Round Table
1996
– Nancy Williams Chapman, Center for Abused Women
1997
– Laina and Egon Molbak, Wilmot Gateway Park
1999
– Lane Youngblood, Woodinville Parks & Recreation
2000
– Marianne LoGerfo, Northshore Senior Center
2001
– John and Helen McMahon, Mr. And Mrs. Santa Claus
2002
– Louise Miller, King County Council, State Legislature
2003
– Darylene Dennon, Community Activist for Disabilities
2004
– Fran Walster, Director of Maltby Food Bank
2005
– Gretchen and John Earley, The Butterfly Thrift Shop
2006
– Gerry Vucci, Woodinville Fire & Life Safety |
