SEQUIM — The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce will award one of three finalists the 2022 Citizen of the Year Award on Feb. 28.
“Chosen by a committee of former winners of the award during a meeting on Wednesday, the three finalists chosen from the pool of nominees each exemplify a different kind of volunteerism and community support,” said Beth Pratt, executive director.
“All three have generously given of themselves for the benefit of our region.”
The three finalists are Lynn Horton, Monica Dixon and David Blakeslee.
They will be honored at the Citizen of the Year luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at The Cedars at Dungeness at 1965 Woodcock Road.
Registration is $30 for the luncheon and it is due by this coming Wednesday at noon by emailing Pratt at director@sequimchamber.com or going to sequimchamber.com and checking events.
A special dessert is being catered by The Kitchen at The Farm, with a gluten-free cupcake option from That Takes the Cake.
Sound Publishing is the Sunshine Sponsor of the event. Terry Ward — vice-president of Sound and publisher of the Sequim Gazette, Peninsula Daily News and Forks Forum — will present the award alongside Citizen of the Year committee chair Brown Maloney.
Here is more information about the finalists.
• Horton, Irrigation Festival Pageant and Royalty director, was nominated by fellow Irrigation Festival board member Michelle Rhodes.
“Lynn gives of her time and energy freely, supporting and educating the youngsters who enter the Royalty Program each year,” Rhodes said.
”From the first meeting, through the pageant, and on to 17 different parade/events throughout the year, Lynn is with the young women and men who make up each year’s court,” Rhodes continued.
”She works on the float, the costumes, the planning, the sponsorships, and the events ,,, coaches, educates, encourages and supports the youngsters, creating lifelong relationships. T
“The Royals, both past and present, often call her Mama Lynn, a testament to how much of herself she puts into this program for our youth.”
• Dixon, a psychologist and registered dietitian with a doctorate, was nominated by fellow Sequim volunteer Julianne Coonts.
”From making homemade dinners for isolated seniors to leading the charge to sew 200 isolation gowns and more than 9,800 masks during 2020, Dr. Dixon has demonstrated a willingness to dig in to issues impacting our neighbors and use her own hands to create solutions,” according to a press release.
”After working with the Sequim Food Bank to perform their first-ever needs assessment, she then went on to lead the effort in our community to create the Olympic Peninsula Healthy Community Coalition,” the release said.
“In each of the letters provided in support of this candidate, she is described as a team builder, a do-er, and a person ready to dive in to find the next step to the best solutions.”
• Current president of the Sequim Valley Lions Club, Blakeslee was nominated by fellow Lion, Steve Sahnow.
With the Lions Club, he worked with the Sequim School District to aid in planning, managing and performing state mandated vision and hearing screening, the release said.
“His efforts saw the Lions able to find $10,000 in matching grant funds to purchase $20,000 in screening equipment used in both Clallam and Jefferson counties,” the release said.
Blakeslee helps with Sunshine, Irrigation and Lavender Festivals, from hosting the beer garden to assisting with equipment and supplies. He is also on the executive board for the Irrigation Festival.
“From float assembly to attending all the festivals our Irrigation Festival Royalty attends, David is one who is quick to offer a solution and then make sure the job gets done,” the release said.
For more information, contact Pratt at director@sequimchamber.com or 360-683-6197.
