Barrington commission honors two longtime volunteers

A pair of longtime volunteers to various Barrington community groups were honored for their service recently by the Barrington Area Development Commission.

Chrissie Mena was named the commission's 2018 Barrington Citizen of the Year and Sam Oliver received a special award for her long-standing community involvement. The awards were presented last week at an annual community dinner that organizers said drew about 150 guests representing from several nonprofit agencies.

Mena has been donating her time to several Barrington nonprofit efforts for at least 20 years. Among her accomplishments are serving as president of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital's auxiliary, the Noon Rotary, Barrington Junior Women's Club and Barrington Area United Way.

In addition, Mena has been on the boards of WINGS, the Barrington Area Community Foundation and other organizations. Former Village President David Nelson, a previous Citizen of the Year, presented the award to Mena, founder and president of Living 60010.

Oliver, who moved to Barrington with her family in 1968, received the commission's Lifetime Volunteer Award. Recipient of the Citizen of the Year honor in 1978, Oliver has served the community in many ways, including service on the boards of Barrington United Methodist Church and Citizens for Conservation.

Harper College President Ken Ender was the keynote speaker at the awards dinner.

The Barrington Area Development Commission was started in 1966 with the purpose of initiating and supporting programs that improve community life. The first Citizen of the Year Award was presented in 1975.