Every year, the people of Elk Grove honors an Elk Grove citizen who has contributed greatly to our community and is an example of the meaning of giving. Since 1955, representatives from different Elk Grove community service organizations have presented this annual award honoring an area resident who has rendered outstanding services directly to the Elk Grove community. You will also notice in this post that over half of the past recipients of the Citizen of the Year have had a park named in their honor. The story in the citizen about the Citizen of the Year, Part 1 & Part 2 by Elizabeth Pinkerton.
The Elk Grove Citizen of the Year is truly a community award. The recipient of the Elk Grove Citizen of the Year award is honored at a banquet held on the first Monday in November each year. The award and banquet are co-sponsored by several local service organizations. Some of the co-sponsors include the Elk Grove Lions Club, Elk Grove Optimist Club, Pride of Laguna Creek Lions Club, Rotary Club of Elk Grove, Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise and the Soroptimist International of Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Food Bank. Proceeds from this event benefit the Elk Grove Citizen of the Year scholarship which is given to a qualifying high school senior.
One of many letters in support of nomination of John & Betty Hall for Elk Grove Citizen of the Year for 2022
I have lived, worked, and volunteered in Elk Grove as a member of the American Legion for many years. When you volunteer in this community, you soon notice people who are dedicated to serving the people of our community. Many of those people have been recognized as past recipients of the honor as the Citizen of the Year. None of those people stand out more in my mind than John & Betty Hall.
Quite often, when people think of John & Betty Hall, they first think of the Walk to Remember Bryan Hall. For those who know a little more about that program, they know that John & Betty started the Walk as a way of raising funds for Bryan’s daughter’s college fund. After a just a few years, with her college fund secure, the fundraising continued to allow the Halls to reach out and provide funds for other children who lost their fathers while they were serving in the US military. They kept this special effort going for 10 years, and I was personally proud to be able to volunteer in support of this effort.
Additionally, Betty has been an active member of the Blue Star Mom’s, helping other mothers who have lost their sons or daughters from their military service.
John as long been a member of Elk Grove American Legion Post 233. Always an active member and always willing to assist in our efforts to reach out to assist veterans.
Both John & Betty also volunteer for other programs in Elk Grove. Whenever assistance is needed with the Running of the Elk Half Marathon or the Elk Grove Golf Classic for the Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation, John & Betty are there, helping wherever they can. They have done the same for the Heart of JB Golf Tournament as well.
If that is not enough, Betty Hall served for years on the board for the Elk Grove Food Services for several years. Another volunteer effort that has helped our food bank serve the thousands of people who have needed assistance in putting food on the table. As a member of the board, she also served on the Run4Hunger committee for years. One of the major fundraisers for the food bank.
In addition to the above service to our community, Betty has been a member of Soroptimist International of Elk Grove for many years. As a volunteer for this organization which seeks to empower women and girls through education, she as served the women and girls in our community. As a member of the Soroptimist organization, you will find Betty and John assisting with other volunteer activities in our community.
American Legion Elk Grove Post 233 is so in love with what John & Betty does and stands for that we have asked them to be our Grand Marshalls for the 2022 Veteran’s Day Parade.
Because John and Betty are so willing to give to our community, it is easy to say yes when the call and asks if I can help them with one of their events.
I am proud to send this letter in support of John & Betty Hall for the Elk Grove Citizen of the Year for 2022.
Paul Copsey, Post 233, American Legion Elk Grove
Curious about past recipients?
1955 – Raymond Case, Park, principal-superintendent, Elk Grove Elementary School
1956 – Alvin Bartholomew, Park, Lions Club, businessman, leader of many community groups
1957 – Tom Karamanos, Park, Lions Club, started Elk Grove Business Men’s Association
1958 – George Henderson, Park, Boy Scout leader, started Elk Grove Boy Scouts
1959 – Elk Grove Volunteer Fire Department
1960 – Cantrell Castello, Park, 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, Park, builder of houses, EG Park maintenance
1964 – Paul Betschart, Park, sports supporter, fire department, Lions Club
1965 – Jessie Baker, Park, supporter of children with special needs and disabilities
1966 – Theodore Smedberg, Park, EG principal, superintendent, Sac County Office of Education
1967 – Hilma Colton, Park, HS teacher, Girl Scout leader, Cemetery District
1968 – Ida Fleming, Park, active with many community groups
1969 – John Zehnder, Park, dairy and business man, Lions Club, and many groups
1970 – Robert Fite, Park, principal and strong community supporter
1971 – Jack Hill, Park, volunteer firefighter, soapbox racers for youth
1972 – Anabel Gage, Park, local historian and photographer
1973 – Douglas Berner, athletic activities for all youth
1974 – Bernice Gallup, reporter of local news
1975 – Marvin “Bud” Jones, Park, businessman, EG water district
1976 – Glen Beeman, Park, educator, business manager, EGUSD
1977 – Henry Kloss, Park, Lions Club, Sacramento County Supervisor, Franklin family
1978 – Jeanne Womack, Park, Western Festival leader and parade organizer
1979 – Carl Amundson, Park, Rhoads School and started EG Historical Society
1980 – Roy Herburger, Park, Lions Club, Elk Grove Citizen Owner/Publisher since 1959
1981 – Elizabeth Pinkerton, Park, educator, local historian, writer
1982 – Glenn Houde, Park, EGUSD Superintendent
1983 – Richard Lichtenberger, Park, leader in Senior Center
1984 – Mel Oneto, Park, Lions Club, agriculturist, Boy Scouts, Senior Center, Family of the Year
1985 – Margit Kloss, Park, Franklin Parents Club, many organizations
1986 – Gerald Derr, Park, Lions Club, EG fire department leader and chief
1987 – Dorothy Hrepich, Park, active in many community groups
1988 – Gary Lawson, Park, educator, principal Jessie Baker, disability leader
1989 – Iris Zimbelman, Park, created the Strauss Festival
1990 – Pat Braziel, brought about many local improvements
1991 – Jerry and Jeanne Strong, Park, 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, Park, community leader and activist
1994 – Roger Shaffer, leader in many community groups
1995 – David Simpson, Park, newspaper writer, Lions Club, supporter of many organizations
1996 – Roy Sharp, agriculture programs, animal care, reaching out to youth
1997 – Hal Bartholomew, Park, 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 veterans, disabled youth and adults
2000 – Cathy O’Neil, Volunteer Extraordinaire, started clothing drives for those in need
2001 – Frances Fite, Park, leader of Rhoads School project, many other groups.
2002 – Dan Lawrence, 2008 volunteer of the year, a leader in many community organizations
2003 – Jean and Lyn Hawkins, Park, 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, Park, Lions Club, leaders in business and a variety of organizations
2008 – Bob & Lisa Lent, long time Rotary leader, involved with many organizations
2009 – Frank and Paula Maita, business leaders, city, chamber, and other groups.
2010 – Mary Lewis, Park, 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, Lions Club, Optimist Club and Scholarship Foundation.
2016 – Jim and Annaclare Entrican, Active with the Elk Grove Historical Society
2017 – Pancho Sanchez, Elk Grove Lions Club.
2018 – Kevin Spease, Laguna-Sunrise Rotary, Planning Commissioner and local businessman.
2019 – Rebecca Davis, Retired Teacher and part of the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation.
2020 – Jack Edwards, Elk Grove Lions, American Legion, and Tracey Edwards, Soroptimist International of Elk Grove.
2021 – Gil & Kay Albiani
2022 – John & Betty Hall, American Legion, Elk Grove Food Bank, Soroptimist International of Elk Grove, etc…