The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group is recognizing the efforts of everyone in the community during the pandemic and derecho events as an opportunity to recognize everyone’s efforts as citizens of the year.
“Usually, when we’re selecting a citizen of the year for our award, there’s one or two people that rises above and beyond the efforts of all other citizens in our community,” said Joe Jennison, director of the Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group.
Jennison noted in the pandemic and derecho year, however, there were too many examples of the citizens in the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon stepping up to help one another to weather the unexpected storms.
“Instead of trying to single out one person, we thought it would be best to recognize the work of all members of the community for what they did to help during the pandemic and derecho,” Jennison said.
Jennison said anyone who attends the picnic on Tuesday will be able to pick up a badge and be recognized as a citizen of the year.
“It’s our way to recognize all of the people who stepped up during a challenging year, in whatever capacity, to help their friends and neighbors this year,” Jennison said.