Written by: Corey Buchanan. 2/25/21. Article reprinted here from Wilsonville Spokesman.
The tech-savvy Charbonneau resident is honored with award for standout volunteerism
To culminate the Rotary Club of Wilsonville’s virtually-held Give Together: Heart of Gold 2021 Auction and Awards Night Thursday, Feb. 25, Rotary President Joe Schwab handed this year’s First Citizen award to Charbonneau volunteer Elaine Swyt, who sat next to him and away from camera view prior to the revelation. The award is given annually to an outstanding volunteer in the community and finalists included Aaron Woods and Lyn Whelchel.
“This is so well deserved and we appreciate all you do for our community,” Rotary member Laura LaJoie-Bishop said during the proceedings.
Swyt volunteers and has helped run websites for many groups in Wilsonville and beyond including the Clackamas County Cultural Coalition, Boys & Girls Cypress Branch and the Charbonneau Arts Association. In her acceptance speech, she thanked the Rotary, those who supported her nomination and her husband (Joe, who is a community leader in his own rite and acknowledged her fellow finalists.)
Swyt, who has been instrumental for local groups during the pandemic, said the last year has “tried our souls” but that it has brought out the best in all of us
“You keep hoping that I will learn how to say no. I just see the opportunities to say yes,” Swyt said.
Woods has served on the Wilsonville Planning Commission and Development Review Board while leading efforts to address inequities in the Wilsonville community. Whelchel is the director of the Heart of the City organization, where she assists disadvantaged populations and hosts events to provide school supplies and warm clothes for people.
“Each of our finalists have impacted our community in unique and meaningful ways to make Wilsonville a better place,” LaJoie-Bishop said.
Some past winners include former Wilsonville Mayors Tim Knapp, Charlotte Lehan and John Ludlow, scout troop leader John Budiao, teacher Jordan Scoggins and volunteers Jake and Dianne McMichael. The Rotary has handed out the award in some form through many of the last 40 years.
The event, which was held virtually for the first time this year, is the club’s primary fundraiser. Some of the work the Rotary performs in the community includes hosting a Through A Child’s Eyes event for Coffee Creek Correctional Facility mothers to spend a fun day with their children, providing college scholarships for local students, facilitating an exchange program for local youth to experience new cultures, organizing breakfast fundraisers for organizations and offering a Summer Concert Series in Town Center Park. For more information, visit the Rotary’s website at https://www.wilsonvillerotary.com/.