Congratulations to Edmonds resident and My Edmonds News “Environmental Advocate” columnist Laura Spehar, who has been chosen by the Edmonds Kiwanis Club as Edmonds’ Citizen of the Year for 2011.

Spehar, who was nominated by Bonnie Mott, will be honored at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting today at the Edmonds Yacht Club.

Here’s what Mott wrote in nominating Spehar for the award:

“Laura cares deeply for our community and all humans and animals flying or crawling! She is always available and willing to help others on these organizations:

Friends of the Edmonds Library — ongoing book sale director
Mayors Climate Protection Committee
Edmonds Tree Board
Puget Sound Birdfest Steering Committee
Edmonds Watershed Fun Fair
Friends of the Edmonds Marsh
Edmonds Wildlife Habitat and Native Plant Demo Garden Steering Committee
Halloween Howl Event
Edmonds Mural Society
Edmonds School District
Edmonds Museum Guild
Edmonds Lions Club
Edmonds Wildlife Habitat Project
Louis Braille School
Edmonds Storm Drain Stenciling Task Force
Fabric of Life
Edmonds Center for the Arts
Contributing writer for the Edmonds Beacon
Contributing writer for My Edmonds News
Edmonds Beach Clean-ups/Adopt-a-Park Clean-ups
And those are just the ones in Edmonds!

Laura is truly an inspiration and a tremendous asset to Edmonds.”

Signed
Bonnie Mott

Juliana Van Buskirk, who oversaw the contest for the Kiwanis Club, noted that there were many qualified people nominated, including Jim Wassall, Darrol Haug, Manya Vee and Jeff Stilwell.

“We want to thank all of those that took the time to nominate,” she said. “There are so many deserving people in our wonderful community. We encourage all of the citizens of Edmonds to be thinking about whom they believe would be a good candidate for next year’s Kiwanis Club of Edmonds Citizen of the Year Award.”