Clallam's top citizens to be lauded April 27

Six local heroes will be honored with the Clallam County Community Service Award for 2007 on April 27.

The recipients are:

Jim Pickett of Sequim, whose volunteer efforts stretch from Citizens for Sequim Schools and Clallam County United Way to the Sequim Park Advisory Board, Driving 101 Safety Committee and more than a score of other organizations.

Lambert “Bal” Balducci and Kathleen Balducci, husband and wife who developed, supported, managed and participated in the Port Angeles Community Players theater group for nearly 30 years as well as being leaders of the Port Angeles Symphony and Port Angeles Light Opera Association.

Dick and Marie Goin of Port Angeles, dedicated Hospice of Clallam County volunteers who have aided hundreds of sick or suffering individuals.

They are also husband and wife leaders in salmon restoration projects across the county and in Olympic National Park.

Orville Campbell, former Port Angeles City Council member who has been a leader of North Olympic Land Trust, Port Angeles Business Association, Clallam Economic Development Council’s Marine Cluster, Family First Step and a number of other civic organizations.

The Community Service Award honors the “dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments” of community leaders and volunteers “who have made a difference in Clallam County, who have made our communities a better place by doing extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.”

This is the 27th year of the award, begun by the Peninsula Daily News and now co-sponsored with Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Noon Club.

A judging committee that included past Community Service Award recipients selected the six from more than 25 nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.

“These are truly local heroes, working to make community life stronger, tighter, happier, richer – busy people who unselfishly give their time and energy to help others, who always seem to be able to make time to offer a hand or a shoulder,” said John Brewer, PDN editor and publisher.

The six will receive framed award certificates at a reception that begins at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, in the downstairs meeting room at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 Lopez Ave., in Port Angeles.

The reception is open to the public and will include coffee and desserts.

Admission is free.