One of the final acts of outgoing Centralia City Councilor Elizabeth Cameron during her last council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, was announcing the nominees for the city’s 2023 Volunteer Recognition awards.
“These people are exceptional. They go to great lengths,” Cameron said.
She added volunteers are valuable to the city as not only do they help the city save money but also help short-staffed city workers. The 2023 Centralia Volunteer Recognition Award nominees include:
• Laura Bailey of the Centralia Clean Team
• Al Blaser of the Centralia Clean Team
• Stephen Breed of the Centralia Clean Team
• Cindy Browne of the Centralia Clean Team
• Joyce Hoerling of the Centralia Clean Team
• Richard and Karen Noto of the Centralia Clean Team
• Peter Lahmann for his involvement with multiple community volunteer organizations
• Judy Bell of the Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area
• Leah Wegener of the Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area
• Brian Mittge of the Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area and for helping organize the Founder’s Day celebration
• Jim McCully for his work helping organize Centralia’s Juneteenth and Founder’s Day celebrations
• Hallie Ralls of the Centralia Downtown Association
• Tommy Seaman of United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) and the UNFI employees for their clean up efforts
• Dr. Michael and Margaret Strohbach of Health & Hope Medical Outreach
• Hillary Read for her work for the Historic Borst Home Museum
• Beverly York for her work as program coordinator for the Historic Borst Home Museum
Cameron created the Centralia Volunteer Recognition awards last year to highlight the many Centralia residents who give their time and labor to support the city through various programs, organizations and events.
Those nominated will receive their 2023 Centralia Volunteer awards during the city council meeting at Centralia City Hall scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 23. Centralia City Hall is located at 118 W. Maple St.
