Elk Grove Citizen of the Year for 2023
If you have lived in Elk Grove for very many years, you probably noticed Colton Insurance on Elk Grove Blvd, just a few doors west of Kerr Middle School. The name has been removed but Jon Colton is still with us, and as you will see, he has not only been a local business man, he has been a driving force for our community through the Elk Grove Rotary Club.
For the readers who do not know who he is, Jon Colton has been an active member of the Elk Grove Rotary since 1962 in a true model of their motto, “Service above Self”.
Mentoring Program: Jon has been a leader of Rotary’s Mentor Program since its inception in 1999. This means that he mentored numerous students for 5 years from 8th grade until their high school graduation. With his guidance, they each received $5,000 post-secondary scholarships. In addition to mentoring students, Jon attends quarterly meetings with each of the students to monitor their academic progress and to provide support. During COVID-19, Jon was a part of the group of Rotarians who drove a student to school each day as his mother was not able to transport him. He hosts annual movie nights and retreats for his mentees at his home.
Rotary Grove: John was instrumental in the development of the Wall of Honor in the original Rotary Grove built in Elk Grove Park. Over the past 5 years, Jon has championed the reimagined new Rotary Grove and has collaboratively worked with CSD Director Phil Lewis and his staff to bring this project to fruition. Jon wrote the MOU for the project that was approved by the CSD in June 2023.
Elk Grove Rotary Foundation: Jon has been a member of the Foundation in which he has a fiscal and ethical responsibility to disperse charitable donations to local and international charities. During his time on the board, he has been instrumental in providing donations to Chicks in Crisis, Elk Grove Food Bank, Elk Grove Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART), Project Ride, Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, Elk Grove Senior Center, Strauss Festival, Polio Plus, Veteran’s Day Parade and the purchase of animals at the County Fair to support the FFA at Elk Grove and Pleasant Grove High Schools.
Jon’s commitment to the Elk Grove community has only increased upon his retirement. After 61 years of Rotary Club work, one would think that Jon would take some time to rest. But no, instead Jon has intensified his charitable work as demonstrated by his leadership in the Elk Grove Senior Center, contributions to the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation and as a volunteer in HART’s Winter Sanctuary for the Homeless.
What makes Elk Grove such an amazing place to live is because of the passion and dedication of citizens such as Jon Colton.