The annual celebration for 2020 has been postponed to the event in 2021 because of Covid-19

The Elk Grove Chamber’s Annual presentation of the award for the Citizen of the Year.

Past Elk Grove Citizen of the Year Award Recipients

1955 – Raymond Case, principal-superintendent, Elk Grove Elementary School

1956 – Alvin Bartholomew, businessman, leader of many community groups, Lions Club

1957 – Tom Karamanos, Lions Club, started Elk Grove Business Men’s Association

1958 – George Henderson, Boy Scout leader, started Elk Grove Boy Scouts

1959 – Elk Grove Volunteer Fire Department

1960 – Cantrell Castello, dairyman, involved in many organizations.

1961 – Gerald Brown, community leader, especially Western Festival

1962 – Edna Sperry, Leader in Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Mothers’ Club

1963 – Raymond Russell, builder of houses, EG Park maintenance

1964 – Paul Betschart, sports supporter, fire department, Lions Club

1965 – Jessie Baker, supporter of children with special needs and disabilities

1966 – Theodore Smedberg, EG principal, superintendent, Sac County Office of Education

1967 – Hilma Colton, HS teacher, Girl Scout leader, Cemetery District

1968 – Ida Fleming, active with many community groups

1969 – John Zehnder, dairy and business man,Lions Club, and many groups

1970 – Robert Fite, principal and strong community supporter

1971 – Jack Hill, volunteer firefighter, soapbox racers for youth

1972 – Anabel Gage, local historian and photographer

1973 – Douglas Berner, athletic activities for all youth

1974 – Bernice Gallup, reporter of local news

1975 – Marvin “Bud” Jones, businessman, EG water district

1976 – Glen Beeman, educator, business manager, EGUSD

1977 – Henry Kloss, Sacramento County Supervisor, Franklin family, Lions Club

1978 – Jeanne Womack, Western Festival leader and parade organizer

1979 – Carl Amundson, Rhoads School and started EG Historical Society

1980 – Roy Herburger, Elk Grove Citizen since 1959, Lions Club

1981 – Elizabeth Pinkerton, educator, local historian, writer

1982 – Glenn Houde, EGUSD Superintendent

1983 – Richard Lichtenberger, leader in Senior Center

1984 – Mel Oneto, agriculturist, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Senior Center

1985 – Margit Kloss, Franklin Parents Club, many organizations

1986 – Gerald Derr, Lions Club, EG fire department leader and chief

1987 – Dorothy Hrepich, active in many community groups

1988 – Gary Lawson, educator, principal Jessie Baker, disability leader

1989 – Iris Zimbelman, created the Strauss Festival

1990 – Pat Braziel, brought about many local improvements

1991 – Jerry and Jeanne Strong, Project R.I.D.E., Lions Club, and many community groups

1992 – Mike Zehnder, “Fireman Mike,” Lions Club, involved with many community events

1993 – Olga Batey, community leader and activist

1994 – Roger Shaffer, leader in many community groups

1995 – David Simpson, newspaper writer, Lions Club, supporter of many organizations

1996 – Roy Sharp, agriculture programs, animal care, reaching out to youth

1997 – Hal Bartholomew, EG Parks and Recreation, and many other groups

1998 – Jim Ring, Project R.I.D.E., Lions Club, and many other groups

1999 – Sophia Scherman, projects to assist disabled youth and adults

2000 – Cathy O’Neil, started clothing drives for those in need

2001 – Frances Fite, leader of Rhoads School project, many other groups.

2002 – Dan Lawrence, a leader in many community organizations

2003 – Jean and Lyn Hawkins, business, Food Bank, mentoring students

2004 – Stanley Carothers, supporter of many local organizations.

2005 – Marsha Holmes, dedicated volunteer in many organizations,

2006 – Arnold Adreani, educator, principal of Joseph Kerr, scholarships

2007 – Elaine and Jim Wright, Lions Club, leaders in business and a variety of organizations

2008 – Bob Lent, long time Rotary leader, involved with many organizations

2009 – Frank and Paula Maita, business leaders, city, chamber, and other groups.

2010 – Mary Lewis, writer, columnist, chamber, and Strauss

2011 – Mark Hedlund, the voice of Elk Grove, master of ceremonies at many events

2012 –  Gary Dapelo, Lions Club, great volunteer and supporter

2013 – Frank Lucia, educator, support for homeless

2014 – Marie Coleman, fund raiser leader for scholarships

2015 – Pat and Warren Weaver, education and agriculture groups, Lions Club, and scholarships.

2016 – Jim and Annaclare Entrican, Elk Grove Historical Society, Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West.

2017 – Pancho Sanchez, Elk Grove Lions Club and almost any fundraiser that required a cook.

2018 – Kevin Spease, Laguna Sunrise Rotary.

2019 – Rebecca Davis, Elk Grove Rotary Club.

2020 – Jack Edwards, Elk Grove Lions Club and Tracey Edwards, Soroptimist International of Elk Grove.