St. Charles honors longtime advocate

If you weren't sure about how surprised and proud Steve Martin was to win St. Charles' 2014 Charlemagne Award, the 13 posts he created on his Facebook page sealed the deal.

"I just won the Charlemagne Award, and I'm not going to Disney World," Martin wrote. "I have more work to be done in St. Charles."

The 61-year-old Martin has already done much work in the city. The Charlemagne Award reflects a lifetime achievement designation for a distinguished history of service to the community.

A sampling of Martin's service includes membership on the Downtown Partnership board of trustees; past president of the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau; member of the board of directors for the Heritage Center; past president of the St. Charles Jaycees; member of the Mid-Valley Neighborhood Improvement Association; and service as a parade marshal in 33 city parades.

Martin has also logged 45 years in the banking industry. He is currently a vice president and head of loans in the Fox Valley Region for First State Bank.

The annual award winner is kept secret and only revealed on the night of the ceremony. Coordinators of the ceremony hid four generations of Martin's family offstage. They popped out and joined Martin as he accepted the award.

"It was so good to have so many of them with me," Martin wrote on his Facebook page. "I had no idea they were there until I reached the podium. A wonderful surprise!"

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce created the award in 1968.

The award ceremony on Friday night also recognized several other locals. Among the honorees was St. Charles Alderman Dan Stellato. He won the Chairman's Award. Realtor Debbie Gurley won the L.E.A.P. award. And The Salvation Army Family Store, St. Charles Unit District 303, St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles Park District and TriCity Family Services won Civic Image Awards.