2021 Avon Lake Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year Announced
06/14/2021 – Avon Lake, OH: The Avon Lake Community Council is excited to announce the 2021 Avon Lake Citizen of the Year – Marty Gallagher - as well as Project of the Year – T. Kekic Spirit of St. Louis replica sign. It was a challenging, but unanimous decision for this year’s individuals and projects that have had significant involvement in and dedication to the community of Avon Lake.
The 2021 Citizen of the Year went to Marty Gallagher of Avon Lake. "Marty Gallagher was a unanimous selection for the Citizen of the Year", stated Community Council President Marty O 'Donnell. His fundraising work as President of the Athletic Boosters for school sports programs, his work with Community Resource Services over the past many years, and his taking over the Beer Festival were major factors."
"Marty is also a board member on the Avon Lake Historical Society, the Beach Park Railway Museum, and a coach in Avon Lake youth sports" stated O'Donnell. “The voting organizations (that make up the Community Council) all agreed the recognition of all of his work and dedication was well-deserved.”
The winner of this year’s 2021 Project of the Year goes to the T. Kekic Spirit of St. Louis sign replica. “This project was truly a community project by Eagle Scout, Nick Zangas, and a number of businesses in Avon Lake, as well as city members by way of labor, parts, and donated time" stated O’Donnell. “It brought back past history of Avon Lake routed to the Kekic Gas Station sign (Stop 43) back to Avon Lake after 40 years as a recreated model.”
"Besides Nick Zangas, Nick Yarham, owner of Northern HammerWorks, Mike Kral Design, Gary Wightman of Avon Lake Sheet Metal, Frank Landl, and Grassa’s Body Repair Ltd. all did yeoman work to complete the model." O'Donnell said.
The Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year special recognition will be held in the evening in September 2021 at the Avon Lake Public Library Waugaman Gallery. More details to be announced soon.
For additional questions about these nominations or questions about the Avon Lake Community Council, please contact Martin O’Donnell at modonnell@avonlake.org or 440-933-7310. The Avon Lake Community Council is made up of 24 community organizations that work together to help to share resources, ideas, and awareness for the good of all the groups.
