A very likable 2011 Citizen of the Year

The honor, the accolades and the recognition are wonderful. But it's enough just to be embraced by the community.

Donna Franco, 2011 Citizen of the Year in the Pass, says actress Sally Field's famous Oscar acceptance line for the Best Actress in the 1984 film "Places in the Heart" ("I can't deny the fact that you love me! You like me.") quickly comes to mind.

And just like an Oscar winner receiving that treasured gold statuette, longtime community volunteer Franco will accept her award and give a speech on January 27th. It's a night when people from throughout the Pass will turn out to honor one of their own.

It's the 57th Annual Installation Dinner for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce.

Devotion to community

Many of you have seen Franco's smiling face at the pancake breakfast during the Cherry Festival. Or maybe you've spotted her timing log-sawing contests at the Oktoberfest. Many of you catch a glimpse of scurrying about buying, wrapping and delivering Christmas gifts to deserving families for Winter Wish. Or you see her volunteering at the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce and serving as an elected director for the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District. She has an unwavering spirit for volunteerism.

"She just dives into anything that will help our community," said Kathy Munyas, the chamber's executive director.

Bruce Murrill and Lyle Millage, who donate many hours of community service to the Pass, nominated Franco for the honor.

"Donna does so much," Murrill said. "She gets the work done - plain and simple. This is a richly deserved honor for a very special person."

Helping the Pass

Many in the Pass caught their first glimpse of Franco in 1972 as she cheerily rang up their groceries at the old Alpha Beta. By 1981, Franco and a girlfriend opened up a cake decorating business in town, and she got involved with the Chamber. Over the years, Franco has served as director, vice president and president. By 1999, Franco retired and became a nearly full time volunteer for the community. She answered phones and questions at the Chamber and spent countless hours on beloved community projects. And through it all, she avoided the limelight - until now.

"The volunteers do it all and make things successful," she said. "I just help organize.'

Come support the dinner and honor one of Beaumont's most dedicated volunteers!

What: 2011 Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner

Date: January 27th

Time: Cocktails: 5:30 p.m. Dinner and program: 6:00 p.m.

Where: The Grand Oak Steakhouse & Bar, the Highland Springs Resort, 10600 Highland Springs Ave., Cherry Valley

Cost: $40.00 per person (reservations and payments in advance. Checks should be made payable to the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, 726 Beaumont Ave., Beaumont Ca 92223)

Information: 951-845-9541