2022 Silver Citizen Award Recipient - Pat Suggs

Clark County recognizes that older adults are valuable contributors to the vitality of this community. To encourage and support older adults for their contributions, the Clark County Commission on Aging has established a program to recognize older adults by means of an annual award presented at a Commission on Aging event.

The recipient of the 2023 Silver Citizen Award is Pat Suggs. Pat is a resident of Washougal and has devoted her volunteer time to the Camas-Washougal community through a variety of organizations.

Pat volunteers with Unite! Washougal and leads the Unite! Washougal Community Coalition working to increase community connection and thereby reduce substance misuse and underage drinking. Pat and her husband Ernie started the Weekend Backpack Program for the Children’s Home Society of Washington over 10 years ago, providing breakfast, snacks and lunch items to kids for the weekends.

Pat also serves her community as a reading buddy through the Washougal School District reading to, and tutoring, kids in the Dual Immersion Spanish Language program at Hathaway Elementary. She volunteers with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Camas-Washougal in the Reach for the Stars through Books program; is Co-Chair of Washougal Safe (WSAFE), a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to students in need and is an active member of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society Board of the Two Rivers Heritage Museum.

In addition to Pat’s impactful contributions to the community, the review committee also discussed how all of the nominations received this year illustrate the amazing contributions older adults make to our Clark County community.

 

The Silver Citizen Award recognizes the valuable contributions older adults make to the vitality of the community and is open to any county resident 60 years or older who has enhanced the community through their life’s work, engagement of others, volunteerism and or other impactful acts of service to the community for any age group. Major emphasis is placed on contributions to the community made by the individual after reaching age 60. Service in any field of endeavor will be considered (e.g., education, radio, television, business, healthcare, art, music, journalism, faith-based, athletics, politics, volunteer service). A couple may receive the award jointly when both have been involved in service and various community endeavors.