The Rotary Club of Wilsonville is now accepting nominations for the 2019 First Citizen Award to honor a local community member or couple for exceptional volunteerism and community service. Since 2002, the local club has recognized and honored 23 official Wilsonville First Citizen recipients at its annual Heart of Gold celebration each winter.
Nominations for First Citizen will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2019. A committee made up of Rotary and other Wilsonville community leaders first selects a small group of finalists, and then the 2019 Wilsonville First Citizen. The finalists will be announced in January, and the winner at the Rotary’s Heart of Gold Dinner and Auction on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Wilsonville Holiday Inn. The theme for this year’s event is “2020 Vision for Service,” recognizing that to be a successful community we must nurture champions who provide leadership and inspire others to create a stronger, more united Wilsonville, reaching out when others need assistance.
“The Rotary’s Heart of Gold Dinner and Auction is our annual celebration of Wilsonville’s dedicated volunteers and community advocates, and the important service projects they lead and which strengthen this city,” said Rotary Club president Pat Wolfram. “We always appreciate the community’s help in identifying the next exemplary honorees whose service and vision makes Wilsonville a forward-looking community that works for all of our residents.”
Besides honoring Wilsonville’s First Citizen, the celebration dinner and auction raises funds that assist children, students and families in Wilsonville, as well as some international programs that help under-served children. Examples of funded programs include college scholarships for Wilsonville students; children and families’ visitation day events at Coffee Creek prison; international youth exchange program; special fundraisers after disasters such as the Villebois fire; and several other programs throughout the year. At last year’s Heart of Gold Celebration, John Budiao, aretired USAF Captain combat veteran, volunteerScoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 194, seasoned youth sports coach, and veterans’ advocate, accepted the 2018 Wilsonville First Citizen award. Prior winners include 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. fff