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Citizens of 2006 are appreciated at Lions’ Club 23rd
annual event
Phil Bauer chosen Citizen of the Year
By Danna Webster
KP News
In an
area like the Key Peninsula, the work of the 30
volunteers honored at the Citizen of the Year banquet
has an impact on every man, woman and child who lives
here. That is the view of Dick Hassan, a first-time
nominee for the citizen award. He brought 120 orchid
corsages to the banquet and gave one to each woman who
attended, including an 8-year-old Girl Scout.
Presenting flowers has long been a trademark of Hassan,
who was nominated for his work and financial
contributions toward the repair of a retaining wall at
Volunteer Park. “It was a surprise that people thought
to put me in that category,” Hassan says. “I felt
blessed to be a part or even to be invited.” He believes
the awards ceremony is an absolute necessity in order to
honor the volunteer workers of the Key Peninsula.
Phil
Bauer, who was selected as the 2006 Citizen of the Year,
says, “It is good to honor people. The KP is unique.
There are so many nonprofits, 501-C3s and churches all
out here to help people on Key Peninsula.” (See related
story about Bauer, page 7.)
Bauer
compliments the many local volunteers, saying, “There
comes a time in your life when you can do it.” It is his
view that the plaque belongs to all of them. His first
words, as he received his plaque, were, “I’d like to
share this with the other volunteers not nominated and
deserve it, and with all the other nominees.”
The
keynote address by Terry Bouck, superintendent of the
Peninsula School District, emphasized the volunteer
workers of the many community groups and school
organizations that make the Peninsula unique. He said
two words come to mind that apply to our volunteers:
impossible and energized. “Impossible isn’t in your
vocabulary,” he said. “And energized means bringing to
action. You’re bringing it (that action) around every
day.”
Bouck was
presented with the Lions Club Certificate of
Appreciation. President Marvin Keizur told him, “The Key
Pen could not function without your efforts.” Another
salute was given Bouck from Master of Ceremonies Hugh
McMillan with regard to the technology used for the
presentation. “A first — first time we ever had a
presentation in PowerPoint (software),” McMillan said.
In
closing, Keizur expressed the sentiment in the Lions
Club logo, “Together We Are Greater.” He announced to
the nominees, “You are all winners.”
The
unique spirit of KP volunteers was alive and well at the
banquet, according to co-chair Patricia Medveckus. Two
of the nominees from the KP Community Services did the
dishes that night. Ruth Bramhall, former Citizen of the
Year, sold 600 raffle tickets. Two Scout troops and the
KP Youth Council worked the setup and cleanup details.
LuLu’s Homeport provided a bartending team, and Hassan
sent eight orchids back to Blondie’s restaurant crew in
appreciation for their help with the dinner.
Hassan
shared the view that all the nominees were winners. He
is known as the inventor of a game that celebrates
success and winning. He called the game “T” ball. It is
a game for very young children where hitting the ball
creates a sense of winning, and working together with a
team can win a whole game. It is a similar situation for
volunteers who do many separate tasks but together
contribute to the success of the whole community.
“Everyone has a job to do, but all of them working
together make a mountain,” Hassan says.
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