Sunbury Rotary names Citizens of the Year

Kind, warm, caring and strong, were the words used to describe the 2017 Sunbury Rotary Citizens of the Year during the 62nd annual awards ceremony.
Connie Kistler and Diane Wirt Miller, both of Sunbury (Victoria, Australia), were named citizens of year by the Sunbury Rotary Club for their continued giving in the community.
“This is such an honour,” an emotional Wirt Miller said while accepting the award. “We have been blessed to work with such amazing people.”
Kistler and Wirt Miller were praised for their work with Parent to Parent Connections Inc in Sunbury.
Parent to Parent Connections is a non-profit resource and support network created by parent for parents and individuals needing help getting connected with information and support. The non-profit was started in 1994 by a group of parents and has continued to grow each year.
“This is an honor and a surprise,” Kistler, president of the board for Parent to Parent Inc, said to the packed room of friends, family and community leaders at the Edison Hotel in Sunbury. “Everyone knows I live in Sunbury and I promote Sunbury and I truly appreciate this wonderful recognition.”
Community leaders like state Rep Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-108, of Sunbury, said Kistler and Wirt Miller were “Strong.”
“When you talk about the slogan of ‘Service Above Self’ then you are speaking of these two individuals,” Culver said. “They are strong women. They are kind women. And they are determined women. It is my honour to be here tonight (at the awards ceremony) with them.”
Northumberland County Commissioner Rick Shoch agreed. “These women are absolutely such a valuable resource to our community,” Shoch said. “It is my honor to be here tonight to celebrate this award with them.”
Sunbury City Councilwoman Beth Kremer joined in and said Rotary made the right choice when choosing Kistler and Wirt Miller.
“I couldn’t be happier for them,” Kremer said. “These two are truly fantastic people and they deserve as much recognition as possible.”
Kistler and Wirt Miller spoke to the crowd and continued to thank each person who they said makes a difference.
“There are just so many of you out there who contribute and help in any way possible,” Kistler said. “We are so grateful to have you all.”
Wirt Miller, who began to cry when receiving her award, agreed.
“I can’t help it,” she said while tearing up. “I am just so thankful to all of you for everything you all do.”
To learn more about Parent to Parent Inc in Northumberland County, visit www.p2pconnections.wordpress.com/.