Tristan Bockovich drives Emma Bradley, seated on the left in the back seat, and Kathy Johnson, seated just behind him in the parade. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Each year the Lions Club requests nominees for either one or both of these awards based on the nominee’s volunteer and community service as well as their affiliation with nonprofits, community organizations and outreach. We also request the nominator to share a personal experience or thought regarding why they feel this nominee should be awarded and will the nominator be available to have the winner at the stage in Harbor Park for the presentation as well as to the parade as an announcement to the community.
This year’s award for outstanding Citizen of the Year went to Kathleen Johnson who has worked behind the scenes at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in many roles, including the installation of a veterans’ memorial, documentation of historic parish records, serving on the council, membership committee, mission endowment fund, does our recycling and has headed up the reduction in plastics in our building. She has been key in our Funeral ministry, as well as someone that reaches out to those struggling with end of life issues.
She has quietly and faithfully provided rides, food, friendship and outreach to so many folks who are house bound, have no family here or are just needing a friend to hear them as they face struggles that can seem overwhelming. Several letters came from children of folks who had terminal cancer, ALS or other debilitating situations that Kathleen was an angel to them and their families through her outreach.
This lifelong resident has been an inspiration to many and epitomizes Lion-ism through her service and volunteerism.
Emma Bradley was nominated last year as our Senior Citizen of the Year, and it was such a close call; making us thrilled she was nominated again this year! If you have ever admired the flower boxes around our lovely city, you should know Emma had her hand in creating, maintaining and even providing these. She has been a member of the Garden Club for many years, providing hand painted nametags, entry flowers and countless hours of volunteer time to the beautification of our town.
If you have had the chance to visit our local Playhouse then you have also seen Emma’s hands working on costumes for our local productions – again, behind-the-scenes volunteerism at its finest!
She also can be found at the nonprofit 1st and 2nd Thrift Store, where she is integral to its success and continued outreach in this community.
We had several other nominations for the Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the year; we encourage you to consider nominating those worthy folks you know who go above and beyond in their volunteerism in Cook County. We have had couples nominated in the past, and that is a great way to go as well.
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