SEQUIM — The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce named its 2024 Citizen of the Year and also did something it has not done since 2017 — it awarded a Humanitarian of the Year.
The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to volunteer events photographer Ron Stecker, who will turn 94 this month.
The Bill & Esther Littlejohn Humanitarian of the Year Award went to philanthropist George Brown, a strong supporter of the Boys & Girls Club and creator of a $500,000 scholarship fund for the OMC Foundation to create education opportunities in healthcare.
Presentation of the awards took place on Feb. 25 during the chamber’s annual luncheon at the Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course.
Finalists for Citizen of the Year included Nicole Lepping, founder of Sequim Wheelers, a group of volunteer cyclists who give bicycle rides to the elderly and disabled, and Blaine Zechenelly, a longtime volunteer for Clallam County Fire District 3 and head of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
The program included statements about each nominee’s contributions to the community made by someone who had nominated them.
Stecker, who has lived in Sequim for 25 years, was nominated by Dan and Janet Abbott.
He has photographed many important events such as the Sequim Lavender Festival, and he offers his photos for use without credit or payment.
Stecker also was commended for his support of the arts. He served for more than a decade on the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra board of directors and was vice president for six years.
In nominating Zechenelly, Clallam County Fire District 3 Chief Justin Grider wrote that Zechenelly’s “leadership has been instrumental in developing the Map Your Neighborhood program and Clallam Ready initiative, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience.”
One of Zechenelly’s most notable contributions has been with the rehabilitation unit, chamber representatives said. As head of CERT for Sequim, he has trained more than 800 members.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zechenelly organized a vaccine clinic that administered more than 50,000 doses without incident. In addition, he created the annual Safety Fair in Sequim, fostering public safety awareness across the Dungeness Valley.
More than 70 people attended the event. Those in attendance included Esther Littlejohn and past award winners.
The awards were presented by Eran Kennedy, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. The Sequim Gazette was the Sunshine Sponsor of the event.
Kennedy was president of the chamber board last year and chaired the Citizen of the Year Committee. She said serving in those capacities and presenting the awards was an honor.
“We are in the presence of greatness,” she said, referring to past and present award winners and nominees.
________
Kathy Cruz is the editor of the Sequim Gazette of the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which also is composed of other Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News and Forks Forum. She can be reached by email at kathy.cruz@sequimgazette.com.
