At their December meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to award the 2024 Community Member of the Year Award to the Wood Village Baptist Church for its years of dedication to community service. Of this year’s four nominees, two also worked or volunteered at the church. This was the third year in a row the church had received a nomination.
Between the over twenty-year partnership co-hosting the Nite Out with the City and the increase in direct services in the community since the pandemic, the Council felt it was time to recognize not only the church but key figures within it. In addition to the two individuals from the church who also received nominations this year, Vera Hallman for her work on the annual Making Spirits Bright Community Toy Giveaway and Maria Guadalupe Herrera Flores for her work on this year’s holiday meal programs, Pastor Tom Miles also identified three other individuals for recognition of their involvement with the church’s monthly food pantry -- Irmgard Blevins and Don and Angel Neill. Their work ensures nearly 200 families a month have access to quality food at no cost.
The church also organizes annual community cleanup days, helping community members maintain their properties, provides a space for piano lessons and other recreation opportunities through PlayEast, served as the site of the annual Las Posadas event for many years, and so much more. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to serving Wood Village and the greater East County community.