Four leaders from the Wilsonville community have been selected as finalists for the 2018 Wilsonville First Citizen award, which is presented annually by the Rotary Club of Wilsonville. This year’s finalists for the prestigious award are:
- Donna Atkinson, a volunteer active in the Wilsonville Community Center Seniors, Wilsonville Friends of The Library, and the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce
- John Budiao, a retired USAF Captain combat veteran, volunteer Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 194; seasoned youth sports coach; and veterans’ advocate
- Curt Kipp, long-time active volunteer Rotarian who has managed numerous events in Wilsonville, including the Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts
- Scott Nichols, a volunteer who has been active in the Wilsonville Basketball Association, Wilsonville Youth Sports, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce, Wilsonville Touchdown Club and various other local causes.
The finalists will be honored, and a winner announced, at Stars of Giving: The 2019 Heart of Gold Dinner and Auction, which will be held Saturday, February 23 at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn. This will be the 18th annual edition of the banquet, which was started in 2002 to honor Wilsonville’s community leaders who enrich the lives of all local residents. It is also the Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser of the year, proceeds from which support education and community enrichment efforts in Wilsonville.
Dr. Laura LaJoie Bishop, president of the Wilsonville Rotary and chair of the First Citizen Committee, was enthusiastic about the number and quality of nominations that were received for this year’s award. “Wilsonville is so fortunate to have this extremely committed group of volunteers who are finalists for the First Citizen award this year,” LaJoie Bishop said. “Each of our four finalists has brought unique, impactful skills and contributions to our city, and has made Wilsonville a better place to live and work. We can’t wait to honor them all at our Heart of Gold event, and announce one of them as the 2018 First Citizen.”
Proceeds from the event support the numerous projects of the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, including local omelet breakfasts to raise funds for schools; the Wilsonville Chess Clubs to help students learn discipline and problem-solving skills; the Through A Child’s Eyes program, a partnership with Coffee Creek Correctional Facility that strengthens families and helps female inmates be better parents both before and after release; the free Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts for residents and fund raiser for worldwide polio prevention; college scholarships for Wilsonville and Arts & Tech high school graduates; the international student exchange program; and several other international projects aiding communities.
The four finalists will be introduced individually at the Heart of Gold event – after a silent auction and throughout an evening that includes an exciting live auction of big ticket items. At the end of the evening the First Citizen honor will be awarded to the chosen finalist. Each finalist was selected based on her or his active engagement in the Wilsonville community which improves the lives and well-being of its residents.
Details on the finalists include:
Donna Atkinson is an engaged volunteer with the Wilsonville Community Center Seniors, Wilsonville Friends of The Library, and Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce. This year she became a Chamber Ambassador and by the end of the year was awarded their distinguished service award. Those who nominated her say that Donna throws her whole heart and soul into her volunteerism. In addition to serving as Treasurer of the Wilsonville Community Seniors, she plans two field trips a month for the seniors, and even planned and executed the first annual fashion show this year. As Membership Development Coordinator at Friends of The Library she has substantially increased membership.
John Budiao is an active Wilsonville community volunteer and supporter of many youth and adults in Wilsonville, including as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 194; a coach of youth sports; supporter of the Wilsonville library; Wilsonville High School sports teams; and a strong supporter for all U.S. veterans. John’s nominators say that he is always ready to lend a helping hand, get dirty, and does so with enthusiasm and a smile. John is a true leader and mentor for more than 50 scouts, helping 27 Wilsonville Troop 194 members become Eagle Scouts. Season after season since 2006, John has coached a multitude of sports in Wilsonville, including youth football and basketball. John is a combat veteran who has served in 14 military operations and two national disasters over 24½ years of service to our country. He has also founded a non-profit woodworking shop called “Operation Spartan Flags” to be a resource that meets the varying PTSD/suicide prevention needs of our local veteran community.
Curt Kipp has been a very active member of the Wilsonville Rotary activities for many years, managing numerous events and roles, including president, director of community service and director of public relations. For many years, Curt has served as co-chair of the Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, which features top musical acts that draw large crowds of Wilsonville residents and raises funds for End Polio Now, Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio. As the club’s director of community service, Curt organizes several annual omelet breakfasts to raise funds for the community’s K-12 schools and support local volunteers and veterans. He also volunteers at the summer Through a Child’s Eyes event at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
Scott Nichols‘ volunteerism has included six years on the Wilsonville Basketball Association Board as well as work with the Wilsonville Touchdown Club, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce and Wilsonville Youth Sports. He spent many years as a volunteer Football and Basketball Coach in the community and more recently has worked in the booth for the High School JV and Varsity Football games. Scott opened his business in Wilsonville in October 2017, so he could better merge his personal and professional life and allow for the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningfulway. To that end, he has supported various local non-profit organizations and efforts thru his business’Lead with Kindness Campaign. Scott is at a variety of events and is always supporting the local schools and businesses in any way he can because of his love of his community, according to his nominators.
Heart of Gold information: Several hundred attendees come together each year for the Heart of Gold event, and is one of the top fundraisers in Wilsonville that provide direct funding back to the community. Tickets to the gala awards dinner and auction are $60 each or $480 for a table of eight and can be purchased online. More information on the Wilsonville Rotary Club can be found at wilsonvillerotary.com.