After receiving 12 nominations of incredible Wilsonville volunteers, the Rotary Club of Wilsonville has selected four finalists for the 2022 Wilsonville First Citizen award.
The First Citizen award honors a local community member for their exceptional volunteer service to the local community. A committee made up of Rotary and other Wilsonville community leaders reviewed the nominations. Each of the finalists will be recognized and the 2022 Wilsonville First Citizen will be announced at the club’s annual Heart of Gold Dinner and Auction to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Oregon Golf Club, 25700 S.W. Petes Mountain Rd, West Linn. This year’s theme is “Wings of Service,” a nod to the new Top Gun movie that was released last year.
The four finalists are Casey Carpenter, a firefighter for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue; Greg Artman, a local photographer; Molly Kalekilo, owner of Innovative Dance; and Tammy Bradley, a staff member and coach at Wilsonville High School.
“We are extremely blessed to live in a community such as Wilsonville,” said Kyle Bunch, club president and chair of the First Citizen Award. “The amount of incredible leaders and volunteers that actively participate and impact members of our community is mind-blowing. We received many phenomenal nominations for this year’s award and look forward to celebrating with each of the four finalists.
Casey Carpenter
For the last decade, Casey Carpenter has been at the helm of Wilsonville Youth Football. During that time, thousands of players and their families have been impacted by Casey’s commitment to excellence. In this role, Casey was responsible for overseeing every detail of the program, including registration, recruiting coaches, and training and coordinating officials, for all Wilsonville teams from 3rd–8th grade. His consistent leadership and commitment to teaching discipline, confidence, respect and humility to our Wilsonville youth has strengthened our community. “Casey is selfless with his time and never seeks recognition for his efforts,” stated Summer Moon, a WYF mom, in her nomination letter. Not only did Casey lead this program, he also gave countless hours as a coach. “Casey has done all of this work with a smile,” stated Bryan Weipert, WYF dad and coach, in his letter of nomination. “His heart for the kids and this community is truly unbelievable and we can’t imagine the program without him.”
Greg Artman
Greg Artman’s commitment to photography of Wilsonville High School’s sports and activities has been one of the most impactful volunteer contributions. Greg loves doing it and his passion for capturing moments for Wilsonville families gave incredible benefit and memories. His tireless efforts at every game, including away games, has been nothing short of omnipresence. His passion and joy for photography has inspired young budding photographers to use their gifts as well. He allows families to sit back and enjoy the moment of their child participating in their sport or activity, having full confidence that Greg will capture the moments not only on the field, but in the crowd as well. “I’m not sure how it has been humanly possible for Greg to be at every sporting event or play or performance over the last decade plus, but he is everywhere, and we are grateful for that,” stated Janis Sanford, a Wilsonville mom, in a letter of nomination. Greg has used his gift and passion to bless this entire community, and we are thankful for that. The legacy of capturing these moments will be forever remembered and will long treasure the honor Wilsonville has had to be recipients of Greg’s talent, passion and commitment. Outside of his photography, Greg has also been committed to Scouts BSA Troop 194 and has served his neighborhood community by serving on the Morey’s Landing HOA board.
Molly Kaleikilo
For over two decades, Molly has continuously poured her heart and soul into our community through her dance studio, Innovative Dance, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. When she is not teaching kids of all ages how to dance, she’s participating in annual community events such as toy drives for With Love, clothing fundraisers for Rose Haven Women and Children’s Shelter or collecting food for Wilsonville Community Sharing. “Molly loves to find ways to bring her passion of dance to others in our community,” stated Innovative mom Amy Vasquez in her letter of nomination. “She regularly creates opportunities for her dancers to bring the gift of dance to senior communities, grade schools, and community festivals such as the community tree lighting.” Brian Jensen, another Innovative parent, also nominated Kaleikilo. “Molly and her staff teach students more than just the art of dance,” he stated in his letter of nomination. Students are taught teamwork, empathy, strength, confidence, discipline and most importantly volunteerism.” Outside of encouraging dancers to participate in all of the community activities the studio participates in, older dancers are also encouraged to volunteer by assisting in classes of younger students, providing role models for beginning dancers. Each one of the performing company groups are also required to take ownership of their own volunteer project each year, furthering inspiring her youth to develop habits of volunteerism through a young age. Paula Matthies, whose daughter started at Innovative at age 2 and is now a professional tap dancer, also nominated Kaleikilo. “Molly is always looking for ways to serve and support her community by holding events to raise money, donation of items and volunteers time to local charities,” she stated in her nomination letter. “She sets the example for her students, and then brings them in to participate in the volunteerism themselves.”
Tammy Sue Bradley
Tammy Sue Bradley has lived in Wilsonville since 2002 and has served our community in many ways, particularly youth sports. For the past eight years she has been a coach for the Wilsonville HS girls soccer as well as JV softball. When not coaching, she also contributes her time by scheduling referees, organizing volunteers for football and basketball games, and announces at basketball games or wrestling matches. Outside of her coaching responsibilities, she has also spent countless hours volunteering time with boys and girls goalies who want extra practice. Athletic Director Josh Davis wrote a letter of nomination for her. “Tammy Sue has become an integral part of Wilsonville High and only wants what is best for our school, students and community,” he stated. “She cares so much about or students both in the classroom and on the athletic field. We have a special place in our hearts for Tammy and what she does for our community.” Retired WHS Athletic Director Dennis Burke also nominated Bradley. “Tammy’s expertise in logistics, her work ethic, attention to details and her sincere and humble approach in serving others is unmatched,” he stated. WHS Girls Soccer Coach Alexandra Boehm wrote a letter stating that “Tammy Sue is a shining light in our soccer program, and makes our school and the Wilsonville community a better place.” Outside of high school sports, Tammy Sue was also a staple of Fun in the Park which brought joy to our community for over a decade. When World of Speed was open, you could find Tammy Sue every Saturday volunteering to run the simulators and helping with tours and camps. Every year at the Rotary Heart of Gold event, you will always find Tammy Sue stepping in to volunteer where needed. “The world would be a better place if there were more Tammy Sue Bradley’s in it, but lucky for Wilsonville, we have the one and only, original, TSB,” past First Citizen and Wilsonville mom Kathryn Whittaker stated in a nomination letter. “A constant source of light, Tammy Sue has dedicated her time and energy to the Wilsonville community by working with throngs of youth to inspire them through sport.” She has a perpetual can-do attitude and is a constant presence at the high school, ensuring that all events run smoothly.
Supporting Rotary in the community
Besides honoring Wilsonville’s First Citizen, Heart of Gold event serves as the main fundraiser for the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Money is raised through sponsorships, auction purchases, donations, raffle and game tickets, dinner tickets and other contributions that night. The Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, in turn, provides funding for the numerous service projects conducted or supported by the Rotary Club of Wilsonville, including:
- Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts — These FREE summer concerts in Town Center Park (www.wilsonvilleconcerts.com) provide high quality family entertainment to benefit polio eradication through voluntary donations to End Polio Now.
- Through A Child’s Eyes (TACE) — A two-day annual event at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility to strengthen inmate families and break the negative intergenerational cycles that lead to incarceration.
- Good Eggs Omelet Breakfasts — Rotary partners with local schools and other organizations to create fundraising breakfasts and dinners with multiple revenue streams.
- Rotary Youth Exchange — These exchanges send local students abroad for short-term and long-term exchanges and host international students for the same in Wilsonville.
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library — This program provides free books monthly for young readers, in partnership with the Wilsonville Public Library.
- College Scholarships — The club awards several scholarships to deserving high school graduates from Wilsonville to support their future education.
- Support of Scouting BSA — The club sponsors one Scout troop and two Cub Scout packs in Wilsonville.
- Peacebuilding — The Rotary Club of Wilsonville is an official Peacebuilder Club and has in-stalled three Peace Poles in the community, with more to come.
The club also supports international service projects conducted throughout the world by the Wil-sonville club and other area clubs, and responds to certain needs as they arise. To purchase tickets to the event, community members can go to wilsonvilleheart.com.
At last year’s Heart of Gold Celebration, Lisa Krecklow accepted the 2021 Wilsonville First Citizen award. She is a longtime Wilsonville resident who gives her time to several causes, including Wilsonville High School Booster Club, Scouts BSA Troop 5194, WHS Grad Night 2021, PEO International Wilsonville Chapter, and the Wilsonville chapter of Sunshine Division.
Prior First Citizen award winners include Elaine Swyt, Jake and Dianne McMichael, John Budiao, Jordan Scoggins, 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.
For further information or any questions, please contact President Kyle Bunch at 503-341-9360 or using the contact form below.
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About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Through Rotary’s disease treatment and prevention programs, members educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. For more information, visit Rotary.org
About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and is dedicated to friendship and service projects. The club carries out several signature service projects throughout the year, including the innovative Through A Child’s Eyes program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the annual Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, several Good Eggs omelet and pancake breakfasts throughout the year, the Wilsonville First Citizen awards program, and much more. The club meets weekly, Thursdays at noon, and has 35 members. Log on to www.wilsonvillerotary.com for more information.