80 Westlake Volunteers Honored at City Reception

The City of Westlake awarded certificates to 80 volunteers at a special ceremony on Thursday, April 18 in Council Chambers at Westlake’s City Hall.

Joyce Able Schroth, Director, Community Services Department for the city, told members in the packed council chambers that the volunteers provided thousands of hours of service to the city. Members of at least five families were honored.

Schroth read off volunteer after volunteer activity performed by the 80 volunteers including food drives, sorting and securing of annual donations of flashlights and batteries among other activities. 

Click here for the full list of volunteers.

“There are so many of you that volunteer your time,” she said.

Among those honored guests are 4-year-old Anna Lassen who participated in a food drive for the City’s food bank as well as those who have served as auxiliary police, magistrates, commissioners, advisory board members and in a variety of other ways to provide much-needed service to the city of Westlake and its residents.

“We cannot have become the community we’ve become without the help we’ve received from you,” Mayor Dennis Clough said. “It’s really, truly a testament to the community” when so many people are willing to help out. You give so unselfishly.”

During the recognition event, nine volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities. This award program is a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award were:

Bronze 100-249 Hours: Betty Franklin, Family History; Richard Hong, Auxiliary Police; and David Lubrant, Food bank. Lubrant is a senior at Westlake High School and has volunteered since he was age 6.

Silver 250-499 Hours: Al Smith, Holiday Food Basket Distribution for 20 years

Gold 500 or more Hours:   Jimmy Lee, for filling holiday food baskets with flashlights, batteries and shirts over many years (and a primary organizer of the first Relay for Life in Westlake); Dorothy Titera, Family History, especially working with our sister city, Tralee, Ireland.

Lifetime (all auxiliary police): Larry Matus, 10 ½ years/ over 1,890 Hours; Marian Zietz, 11 years/over 1.980 Hours; John Wichman, 13 Years, over 2,340 Hours; Bill Anderer, 20 years/over 3,600 Hours.

The Honorable Johnnie Wall, mayor of Tralee, Ireland enrolled Dorothy Titera  as one of three first members of the newly established organization, The Friends of Tralee.