Centralia citizens who volunteered their time and labor last year, doing everything from picking up litter to helping organize holiday celebrations, were honored Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Centralia City Council meeting with awards.
Former Councilor Elizabeth Cameron created the award in 2022 before her last year in office.
“I’m not going anywhere, and this program is going to continue on to recognize those volunteers in our city who deserve some recognition for the wonderful work that they do,” Cameron said.
Additionally, Councilor Max Vogt has taken over the Volunteer Recognition Award program.
“(Cameron) created this and this is her legacy, and I’m taking it on now that she’s leaving,” Vogt said. “This coming year, I will be taking this over without Elizabeth.”
Eighteen awards were handed out, and Peter Lahmann was named the 2023 Volunteer of the Year for his volunteer efforts with multiple organizations.
“Mr. Lahmann organized and got volunteers for the restoration work on the Freedom Walk memorial in the Washington Park, and also worked on restoration work on The Sentinel statue,” Cameron said.
She added Lahmann also performed sidewalk sealing around the Freedom Walk, The Sentinel and the George Washington monument in Washington Park.
He volunteers on the Centralia Clean Team, serves as the president of the Lewis County Historical Society and Museum, organized the 4th of July and Christmas parades at the Stillwater Estates, participated in the Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade and volunteers with the Gamewardens Association.
“Mr. Lahmann also works on the boats to keep them seaworthy and donates up to 10 military vehicles and maintains them for parades and events,” Cameron said.
The other volunteers who received awards included:
• 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
• Jim McCully for his work helping organize Centralia’s Juneteenth and Founder’s Day celebrations
• 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
• 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
“Thank you to all the volunteers that were nominated for this … All the work you guys do in the community is fantastic,” Councilor Cameron McGee said.
