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Willcox's go-to guy:
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| Chamber Citizen of the Year Chuck Broeder thanks the Willcox Chamber and the audience at the Annual Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture meeting last Tuesday for the honor. From left, his wife, Carol, and daughters, Sarah Rose and Elizabeth, support Chuck in all of his efforts to help the community. (Ainslee S. Wittig/ARN) |
Chuck Broeder is citizen of the year; Coronado and Smyers also honored
By Carol Broeder & Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
The 2008 Willcox Citizen of the Year is Chuck Broeder, who was recognized last Tuesday during the chamber's annual meeting at the Best Western Plaza Inn.
"Our honoree has lived in Willcox for a little over a decade. During that time they have joined more civic organizations and volunteered more time than most people do in a lifetime," said Steve Reno, who nominated Broeder along with Ainslee S. Wittig.
His "knowledge of Willcox's history and the love of community" made Broeder "a natural choice for the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's Citizen of the Year."
Broeder "always seems ready to take on a volunteer project at the drop of a hat," Reno said. "One only has to ask for help and he is there."
"He's the go-to-guy in Willcox for events. He has a family, and while that is a ready excuse for someone like me to beg out of volunteering for many things, our honoree instead jumps at volunteering and enlists his family's help, which they do willingly."
"He is also a small-business owner, but does not have employees for his business, and therefore when he volunteers his time during store hours, he loses money because he cannot keep his business open," he said.
"What kind of person values community so much larger than self?" Reno said. "He is helping to bring visitors to all kinds of local businesses except his own, which would easily benefit, too, if the doors were open."
"What a Catch-22, which by the way, is their favorite number. Okay, I just made that one up to keep you and them off-balance," said Reno, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Broeder is "a member of some important local organizations," he said.
"Ones you're all familiar with, like Rotary, Rex Allen Museum, Rex Allen Days, Warren Earp Days, Summer Fest, and Christmas Lighted Parade."
"He's not just a member of these groups and events, he's usually a leader among these clubs and events."
"He took on Warren Earp Days from its beginnings, making it into a summer boon for local businesses and increasing awareness of Willcox's historic worth," Reno said.
"Its name change to Willcox Western Heritage Days is still a bone of contention with me, but our honoree took it in stride, because he's as selfless a volunteer as you'll ever find."
"Part of his secret is his ability to listen to all sides of an idea and find merit in each," he added.
"There's more, much more, but I'll be brief, because by now he knows who he is and would probably like to get this over with," said Reno, and with a nod in Broeder's direction, adding, "I suggest you start formulating an acceptance speech in your head."
"In the past he has chaired the Summer Fest, which was a successful summer community event for the three years it graced our community," he said.
Reno said that Broeder also "kept the Lighted Christmas Parade going after its fledgling first year and several slow years, helping it to grow and become the significant Willcox winter community event it has finally evolved into."
"He paid some dues by not letting that event fall to the wayside when maybe 50 people would attend in the lean days," he said. "Now there are hundreds who watch and at least 50 who participate."
Reno said he also knows Broeder as the chairman of another parade.
"He just took on the huge responsibility of Rex Allen Days parade chairman, and we couldn't have found a more qualified leader for that event. He ran his first successful RAD parade this past October, as it boasted one of its largest-ever field of entries."
He called Broeder "a great liaison between the Rex Allen Museum and the Rex Allen Days committee, two groups that sorely need to cooperate with each other, and thanks to him, that situation gets better every day."
"He's also a great Rotarian in charge of scheduling guest speakers and he's among those early morning Rotarians who place flags during holidays whenever possible," Reno added.
"He also has a couple of nicknames, like the 'barricade man.' He's the one our parade events can count on (usually at his own expense) to drive back and forth to Tucson and haul the barricades, and haul them out again," he said.
"He's a 're-enactment guy,' participating in Tombstone-style gunfight re-enactments or dressing up in historic costumes to play a character from Willcox's past during historical society events," Reno said.
"His understanding family comes from the, 'If you can't see him, get out and join him,' school of thought, and we'd love for his daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, and Carol, the great woman behind the Citizen of the Year, to join him up here as we salute Chuck Broeder, 2008 Citizen of the Year."
As the family walked toward the podium, Reno added, "Chuck and Carol also run C&C'es antique store on Haskell Avenue, across from SSVEC and remember to look him up sometimes at the store for some great collectibles."
When it came his turn to speak, Broeder said, "First of all I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to do the things I have done, and for bringing us to this wonderful community. It is a wonderful community, and that's why I do the things I do."
"I would also like to thank my family for their patience and their participation, especially my wife, who truly is a great woman," he said.
"I am very honored to have received this award when I know who has already received it," Broeder said.
"I also know there are those who deserve the award, but have not received it."
"Once again, I am very honored to receive this award from such a great community," said Broeder, adding, "I hope we get more volunteers. Thank you very much."
By Carol Broeder & Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
The 2008 Willcox Citizen of the Year is Chuck Broeder, who was recognized last Tuesday during the chamber's annual meeting at the Best Western Plaza Inn.
"Our honoree has lived in Willcox for a little over a decade. During that time they have joined more civic organizations and volunteered more time than most people do in a lifetime," said Steve Reno, who nominated Broeder along with Ainslee S. Wittig.
His "knowledge of Willcox's history and the love of community" made Broeder "a natural choice for the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's Citizen of the Year."
Broeder "always seems ready to take on a volunteer project at the drop of a hat," Reno said. "One only has to ask for help and he is there."
"He's the go-to-guy in Willcox for events. He has a family, and while that is a ready excuse for someone like me to beg out of volunteering for many things, our honoree instead jumps at volunteering and enlists his family's help, which they do willingly."
"He is also a small-business owner, but does not have employees for his business, and therefore when he volunteers his time during store hours, he loses money because he cannot keep his business open," he said.
"What kind of person values community so much larger than self?" Reno said. "He is helping to bring visitors to all kinds of local businesses except his own, which would easily benefit, too, if the doors were open."
"What a Catch-22, which by the way, is their favorite number. Okay, I just made that one up to keep you and them off-balance," said Reno, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Broeder is "a member of some important local organizations," he said.
"Ones you're all familiar with, like Rotary, Rex Allen Museum, Rex Allen Days, Warren Earp Days, Summer Fest, and Christmas Lighted Parade."
"He's not just a member of these groups and events, he's usually a leader among these clubs and events."
"He took on Warren Earp Days from its beginnings, making it into a summer boon for local businesses and increasing awareness of Willcox's historic worth," Reno said.
"Its name change to Willcox Western Heritage Days is still a bone of contention with me, but our honoree took it in stride, because he's as selfless a volunteer as you'll ever find."
"Part of his secret is his ability to listen to all sides of an idea and find merit in each," he added.
"There's more, much more, but I'll be brief, because by now he knows who he is and would probably like to get this over with," said Reno, and with a nod in Broeder's direction, adding, "I suggest you start formulating an acceptance speech in your head."
"In the past he has chaired the Summer Fest, which was a successful summer community event for the three years it graced our community," he said.
Reno said that Broeder also "kept the Lighted Christmas Parade going after its fledgling first year and several slow years, helping it to grow and become the significant Willcox winter community event it has finally evolved into."
"He paid some dues by not letting that event fall to the wayside when maybe 50 people would attend in the lean days," he said. "Now there are hundreds who watch and at least 50 who participate."
Reno said he also knows Broeder as the chairman of another parade.
"He just took on the huge responsibility of Rex Allen Days parade chairman, and we couldn't have found a more qualified leader for that event. He ran his first successful RAD parade this past October, as it boasted one of its largest-ever field of entries."
He called Broeder "a great liaison between the Rex Allen Museum and the Rex Allen Days committee, two groups that sorely need to cooperate with each other, and thanks to him, that situation gets better every day."
"He's also a great Rotarian in charge of scheduling guest speakers and he's among those early morning Rotarians who place flags during holidays whenever possible," Reno added.
"He also has a couple of nicknames, like the 'barricade man.' He's the one our parade events can count on (usually at his own expense) to drive back and forth to Tucson and haul the barricades, and haul them out again," he said.
"He's a 're-enactment guy,' participating in Tombstone-style gunfight re-enactments or dressing up in historic costumes to play a character from Willcox's past during historical society events," Reno said.
"His understanding family comes from the, 'If you can't see him, get out and join him,' school of thought, and we'd love for his daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, and Carol, the great woman behind the Citizen of the Year, to join him up here as we salute Chuck Broeder, 2008 Citizen of the Year."
As the family walked toward the podium, Reno added, "Chuck and Carol also run C&C'es antique store on Haskell Avenue, across from SSVEC and remember to look him up sometimes at the store for some great collectibles."
When it came his turn to speak, Broeder said, "First of all I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to do the things I have done, and for bringing us to this wonderful community. It is a wonderful community, and that's why I do the things I do."
"I would also like to thank my family for their patience and their participation, especially my wife, who truly is a great woman," he said.
"I am very honored to have received this award when I know who has already received it," Broeder said.
"I also know there are those who deserve the award, but have not received it."
"Once again, I am very honored to receive this award from such a great community," said Broeder, adding, "I hope we get more volunteers. Thank you very much."
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rose wrote on Dec 18, 2008 10:39 AM: