Recognizing the people who put their efforts into making the city a better place is an Issaquah tradition that continued on May 30 at the 40th annual Community Awards.
Hosted by The Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, the Community Awards mark a celebration of citizens making meaningful contributions to various aspects of the community, from teen programming to government representation and the organization of Salmon Days.
With 111 attendees, the community awards brought together the chamber, local government, school district and local businesses to nominate key people who have done important work over the past year.
Some of the night’s big awards were the city of Issaquah Hall of Fame winners Dan Anderson and Frances Walton.
Anderson is a retired attorney who has spent decades supporting the local Kiwanis Club, Village Theater and Eastside Master Chorus. He is the longest serving member of the Village Theater Board and serves on several Kiwanis committees. Walton is a cellist and founder of several long running music organizations and programs. She founded the Bellevue Youth Symphony in 1958, Philharmonic Northwest in 1972, and founded the spring music program in the Issaquah School District in 1964.
The Issaquah chamber’s Citizen of the Year was 5th Legislative District Sen. Mark Mullet, recognized for his contributions to Issaquah as a a state senator, former city councilmember, business owner and for his involvement in local nonprofits.
Chamber of Commerce events manager Wendy Murphy said the Community Awards are one of their favorite events of the year as it brings together all the people actively working to make the city a better place to live.
“Usually people say ‘I cry at least once,’” she said. “It really is one of our favorite events.”
Mark Mullet received the Issaquah Chamber’s Citizen of the Year award for his work as a Senator, local business owner, and involvement in nonprofit organizations. Evan Pappas/Staff Photo
Brenda Devore, left, presented Mike Raab with the Issaquah Chamber Spawnor Roll award for all of the time and effort he puts into Salmon Days.
Evan Pappas/Staff Photos Sam Brown and Marni Kurta (not pictured) were awarded the Life Enrichment Options Community Caring Award for their years of volunteer work.
