Nominations are open for the 2020 Wilsonville First Citizen Award. This award, given annually by the Rotary Club of Wilsonville, honors a local community member or couple for exceptional volunteerism and community service. Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2020 at www.wilsonvillerotary.com/nominate/.
“Volunteering is so important to a healthy and compassionate community,” said Joe Schwab, president of the Rotary Club of Wilsonville. “Our volunteers are the people who make this a wonderful place to live. Rotary would like to recognize these volunteers, but we don’t know who all of them are. We need the public’s input to help us identify those who are making the community better, whether prominently or very quietly.“
Any individual or couple that works, lives or volunteers in Wilsonville is eligible to be nominated, and anyone that works, lives or volunteers in Wilsonville can submit a nomination. No self-nominations will be considered.
A selection committee led by the club president, and including Rotarians and other Wilsonville community leaders, will review the nominations received and select a small group of finalists, typically three or four. These finalists will be announced in January.
The new First Citizen(s) will be announced at Rotary’s annual Heart of Gold Celebration. Normally the announcement takes place in person at a gala banquet and auction. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundraiser will take place online. The First Citizen announcement will be made at its conclusion.
“COVID-19 has forced our organization to change how we go about doing things,” Schwab said. “The needs of the community haven’t gone away, but they have changed. In response, we must transform our service as well as our fundraising. Our supporters will be able to watch the proceedings online and purchase auction items to support what we do for the community.”
Proceeds will support the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation’s service projects, which include:
- the Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts,
- the Through A Child’s Eyes program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility,
- the club’s international youth exchange program,
- college scholarships for Wilsonville high school graduates
- the Good Eggs omelet breakfast fundraising program for schools and other local needs,
- and other local and international projects that vary from year to year.
Since 2002, the Rotary Club of Wilsonville has recognized and honored 25 official Wilsonville First Citizen recipients. The most recent winners are Jake and Dianne McMichael. Prior winners include John Budiao, Jordan Scoggins, Mayor Tim Knapp, Sherine and Jaimy Beltran, Donna Bane, Kathryn Whittaker, Jay Puppo, Dick Spence, Debi Laue, Lonnie and Julie Gieber, Theonie Gilmore, Anne Easterly, Ron Anderson, Bob and Judy Woodle, Alan Kirk, Doris Wehler, Sue Ludlow, John Ludlow, Charlotte Lehan and Dr. Laura LaJoie Bishop.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville has 24 members and meets every Thursday at noon. Currently, meetings are taking place online, over Zoom. There are interesting speakers on relevant topics each week. Guests are always welcome. Meeting dates, speakers and topics are posted on the club calendar at https://www.wilsonvillerotary.com/calendar/.