2024 Citizens Who Care & Educator of the Year
What is Citizens Who Care & Educator of the Year?
 
Citizens Who Care is Andover's longest running program that honors outstanding community volunteers. Since 1996 the Rotary Club of Andover has honored 10 people each year who have contributed to the local community through their extraordinary volunteer contributions. In 2009, the Club added the Educator of the Year and Student of the Year awards to Citizens Who Care. Those chosen exemplify what it means to be an "unsung hero." They come in all ages and professions.
 
How are the recipients chosen?
Starting in January of each year, the club seeks nominations from the community and Andover Public Schools. Any individual, nonprofit organization, business, or group can nominate their favorite Citizen(s) Who Care. The Club receives about 50 nominations from which the honorees are selected.
 
The Educator of the Year is nominated by teachers, school administrators and parents. A panel that consists of four educators who are intimately involved in education, but who have no ties to the Andover School System, makes the final decision.  The Student of the Year is nominated by school faculty. Nomination forms for all Citizens Who Care categories will be available on the website starting in January of each year.
 
How does Citizens Who Care & Educator of the Year make a difference in the world?
We celebrate these local heroes at our annual Citizens Who Care & Educator of the Year Gala.  Funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and program ads raise funds to support club activities including scholarships, local grants, and our international water project.  Check out our photo album pages under Citizens Who Care to see photos from previous galas. 
 
Congratulations to our 2024 Citizens Who Care Honorees:
 
• Peggie Ritzer & Kristen Walsh
• Martha Tubinis
• Steve Cooper
• Andover TV (Wess Murphy, Sean Murphy, Sara Antonakos)
• Kate Margolese
• Denise Wynn
• Jennifer Srivastava
• Major Wanjun Gao
• Brendan Hamm
• Ann Knowles
• Sheila Graham
 
2024 Educator of the Year: 
• Suzanne Crowley
 
2024 Student of the Year:  
• Edward (Eddie) Mukalazi
 
You can show your support and appreciation for these outstanding honorees by attending the Citizens Who Care Gala on Thursday, May 9, 2024 starting at 6 pm at the Andover Country Club. 
 
To purchase Tickets for the Gala ~ 
 
Individual Tickets: $125 via check or $130 online: http://square.link/u/A3qvDqhv
Table of 10: $1,250 via check
Please make check payable to Andover Rotary Charitable Trust and mail to: Rotary Club of Andover, PO BOX 1152, Andover, MA 01810.
 
To make a tax-deductible online donation: http://square.link/u/SNC2oj1B
 
For more information contact:
Event Chair Al Timm: al_timm@yahoo.com
Citizens Who Care Nominations Chair Jim Greeley: greeleyj7@gmail.com
Educator and Student of the Year Nominations Chair Steve Fink: SteveFink73@icloud.com
Sponsorship Chair Don Gottfried: dgottfried@aha.financial
 
Be A Citizens Who Care Event Sponsor and/or Silent Auction Donor:
 
 

Mike & Sue Wartman, Citizens Who Care 2023

 

Gina Murray, Educator of the Year 2023

Luke Bardetti, Student of the Year 2023

Emily Strong, Citizens Who Care 2023