Golden Valley Community Foundation Director Named ‘Citizen Of The Year’

Golden Valley Community Foundation Director Named ‘Citizen Of The Year’

The Golden Valley Rotary Club honored its members and community at its annual awards luncheon on Tuesday.

Among the winners is citizen of the year: Dean Penk.

Penk is the Golden Valley Community Foundation’s board chair. It’s a nonprofit that builds funds to help grow the community.

Former Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris praised Penk and the foundation for its extensive work in Golden Valley. Penk said he’s incredibly honored, but feels he’s just the face of the hard work the whole foundation puts in.

“Part of what we are trying to do is make this a better place to live in, Leave it better than we found it. Part of it is: we live here. Why not make it the best place for people to live?” said Penk.

Penk speaks to Rotarians and guests after being awarded ‘Citizen of the Year.’

Penk said he is proud of the foundation’s investments to help the community grow long term. That includes the Golden Valley Pride Festival, which brought in more than 7,000 people this past weekend.

Rotarians also gave an award to the Rotarian of the Year, Mary Timmons.

Three students received scholarships: Isabelle Mayer from Hopkins High School, Alma Soave from Perpich Arts High School and Seran Umar from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School.

SOURCE: CCX MEDIA