Winners of the 2022 City of Centralia Volunteer Award were honored and presented plaques for their volunteer work in the city during Tuesday night’s regular city council meeting.
The honorees were:
• Marveen Rohr, Don Hays and Loretta Hays for their volunteer work taking care of Greenwood Memorial Park.
• Judy Bell for her work on Seminary Hill projects and developing a master forest stewardship plan.
• Ron Averill for his volunteer work with various organizations, including the Chehalis Basin Flood Authority, Twin Cities Sports Commission and Lewis County Seniors.
• Kathy Tennyson for her volunteer work on ecology projects, including Salzer Creek and the Lewis Conservation District.
• Edna Fund for her volunteer work with various organizations, including the Chehalis Basin Flood Authority, Office of the Chehalis Basin, Southwest Washington Fair, historical committees and gardening work at Pine Street Plaza.
• The Centralia Public Works Leadership Team that volunteers on an “as needed” basis to clean up around the city. The team is led by Public Works Director Kim Ashmore. Team members include Andy Oien, Darci Twining, Jeff Carr, Marc Baine, Patty Page and Rick Eaton.
• Peter Lahmann for his volunteer work with the Centralia Clean Team, at the Lewis County Historical Museum and for supporting and participating in Centralia parades, events and the Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day celebrations.
• Cindy Browne, Al Blaser and Joyce Hoerling for their volunteer work with the Centralia Clean Team.
Hoerling was also honored as the “Volunteer of the Year” for her dedication to the Clean Team, spending four to five days a week out on the streets volunteering.
Following the award presentations, Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston made a proclamation declaring January Volunteer Appreciation Month.
Centralia City Councilor Elizabeth Cameron spoke following the proclamation.
“I think it’s very valuable to the community that we have this volunteer program giving you recognition for all the work, but to expand to all volunteers in the city because I know there are many. Therefore the proclamation is very appropriate, if you did not receive a recognition award this evening at City Hall, we wanted to include you also. So for any volunteers listening in, I thank you very much on behalf of the City of Centralia for your volunteer work,” Cameron said.
Cameron created the volunteer award last year to help bring recognition to the work volunteers provide the city every year.
At the next regular meeting of the city council, the Lewis County Master Gardeners group at Fort Borst Park will also be honored for their volunteer work in 2022.
