On Monday, October 17, 2022, hundreds turned out to celebrate Salem’s volunteers and over 111,000 volunteer service hours at the annual Volunteer Recognition event. The evening began with a red carpet reception and appetizers at the Salem Public Library. Following a special tribute to retiring Mayor Chuck Bennett, featuring video and in-person comments from Governor Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney, retired Oregon legislator Betsy Johnson, and retired Salem City Councilor Brad Nanke, Mayor Bennett hosted the celebration of Salem’s volunteers. Thirty-four awards honored the contribution of Salem’s volunteers.  For a complete listing of all awardees, see attached.

“Salem is an incredibly special place to live and work because of your generous contributions and service,” said Mayor Chuck Bennett in opening the ceremony. “Our volunteers give their talent, energy, and time to the City of Salem, for which we are incredibly grateful; this event is our way of recognizing the thousands of volunteers who help to make our community a better place for all of to live.” 

During FY 2021-22, more than 6,090 volunteers contributed 111,941 hours of service. Salem has 18 active Advisory Board and Commissions. Members donate their time to advise the Mayor and City Council on topics that range from public art to municipal judge compensation and everything in between. Volunteers are active in parks, at the Salem Public Library, and at Center 50+. Volunteers with the Community Emergency Response Team are trained to help in an emergency.

2022 Volunteer Recognition Awards 

Al Loucks Business-Government Partnership Award
The Al Loucks Business-Government Partnership Award honors a business or businesses making a major contribution to the City of Salem or one of its programs or projects. This year, the Al Loucks Business-Government Partnership was awarded to:

• DJ Vincent, Church at the Park
• Richard Berger, Neighborly Development Ventures and Ian Johnson, Northeast Salem Community Association Land Use Chair for Jory Apartments Project

At Your Service Award
The At Your Service Award was created for those who volunteer their time and/or services to the City of Salem. City Departments work with volunteers to enhance their services and are asked to nominate volunteers to be considered for an At Your Service Award. This year, the At Your Service was awarded to:

• Felipe Gonzalez, Cultural Tourism & Promotion Advisory Board
• Mary Quinn, Friends of Center 50+
• David Sasser and Pastor Kevin Reich of Relevant Life Church for storm drain marking
• Paul Tigan, Citizen Budget Committee
• Lisa Holliday, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Engagement & Leadership with Willamette University for Martin Luther King Jr Day or Service, Global Day of Service, and Bearcats Give Back
• Eugene Edwards, Dean of Student Engagement at Corban University for One Thousand Soles Program

Distinguished Project Award
The Distinguished Project Award honors a group of volunteers who have worked together on a significant project. This year, the Distinguished Project was awarded to:

• Susan Napack, Laura Hermann, Alice Hermann, Greta Bergquist, and Erika Baker for Belmont Cottage Street Painting
• Oni Marchbanks for Equity Splash/Zenzele Learning Center
• Kaileigh Westermann-Lewis for Salem Cloth Project – Cloth Diaper Bank

Dorothy Patch Community and Educational Achievement Award
The Dorothy Patch Community and Educational Achievement Award recognizes students, teachers or schools who have successfully undertaken a project to benefit the City or residents of Salem.  This year, the Dorothy Patch Community and Educational Achievement was awarded to:

• Christina Tracy, principal at Howard St. Charter School for students’ micro-shelter village artwork
• Maureen Foelkl, science instructor at Queen of Peace for creating Fungi Plastivore Purifier (which degrades polyurethane into organic matter)

Mayor’s Merit Award
The Mayor’s Merit Award is presented to a recipient or recipients for special projects or activities undertaken for the good of the community. This year, the Mayor’s Merit was awarded to:

• Brian McKinley and Jordan Keagle, for Salem’s new city flag
• Kerry Wymetalek, Monty Montes, and all the VFW 661 Volunteers, for free lunches and other services
• Anya Holcomb and Sifa Kipanga, Salem for Refugees

Mayor’s Youth Achievement Award
The Youth Achievement Award is presented to a youth, youth group, or youth group coordinator involved in a volunteer project benefiting the City. This year, Mayor’s Youth Achievement was awarded to:

• Evyn, An, Phu, Shelby, Kaiden, Brook, Sam and Jade of CAREcorps for Civic Center plantings. 

Outstanding Neighbor Award
The Outstanding Neighbor or Neighborhood Association honors a group or individual neighbors that set an example, performed a project encouraging civic participation, or enhanced the city some manner. This year, Salem’s Outstanding Neighbors are:

• Alan Meyer of Morningside Neighborhood Association
• Corey Poole of Southeast Mill Creek Association
• Kaethe Mentrum of Northgate Neighborhood Association
• Leslie Polson of Northeast Neighbors
• Linda Miller of Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association
• Mark Wigg of Bush Garden Tuesday Gardening Group
• Mary Gilds of Angels of Tripp Street
• Burt Eikleberry for Mill Race Park
• Shirlene Gonzalez of North Lancaster Neighborhood Association
• Steve Anderson, Jennifer Palanak, and Milleyllen Strayer of Edgewater Partners 

Salem Spirit Award
The Salem Spirit Awards recognizes individuals or groups that are constantly promoting Salem and are frequently behind efforts to improve our City. This year, the Salem Spirt was awarded to:

• Brad Steiner and Dan Walker of Allied Video
• Gary Pullman of Northeast Salem Community Association
• Jonathan Castro-Monroy of Salem Keizer Coalition for Equality

Richard Swyers Public Works Employee Award
The Richard Swyers Award honors a Public Works employee whose efforts best exemplify the fine work of former Public Works crew leader, Richard Swyers, who passed away in January 2020. This year, we honor Salem Public Works employee, Bill Fear.

Special Mayor’s Award
This year, the Mayor honored Linda Berman for her work with Salem’s Sister Cities Program and 32 years of service to the City of Salem. Linda passed away in February of this year. 

Vern Miller Award
The Vern Miller Key Resident Award is presented in recognition of an individual’s outstanding long-term service to the City. This year, Salem honored Roz Shirack of the South Central Area Neighbors, Our Salem, League of Women Voters, Budget Committee, Salem Harvest, Chemeketans, and the Salem Planning Commission.

Willard C. Marshall Award
Our Willard Marshall Award, presented to a person who has contributed the most to the City during a given year, this year goes to Lois Stark for her work on behalf of the Salem Public Library.