Carol Stream honors its Citizens of the Year

Residents who exhibit exceptional volunteer service in Carol Stream were recognized last weekend at the 2013 Carol Stream Citizen of the Year awards banquet.

Award winners are chosen by past recipients after receiving nominations from local service organizations.

Recipients of the Citizen of the Year recognition, given to those who have volunteered in at least one group in 2013, are Nancy Bagdonas of the Carol Stream Woman's Club and Terry Michaelsen of the Carol Stream Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT.

Special Citizen of the Year awards, given to those who have volunteered for five straight years in the community, were given to Linda Keen of the Carol Stream CERT and Steven Griffin of Carol Stream Park District.

The Judge's Recognition Award, which recognizes volunteers who live outside of Carol Stream, was given to Ed Zuniga of the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce.

A total of 11 people were nominated for the awards. The awards have been given out since 1965.

"It was a great evening," said Rick Gieser of the Citizen of the Year committee, "to recognize and thank the people who have done great things and will continue to do great things that help make Carol Stream such an awesome community to live in."