Carolyn Chase presented Spirit of San Diego award
ccording to Mayor Susan Golding, San Diego Earth Day
founder and executive director Carolyn Chase has "The Spirit of San
Diego." Carolyn was honored by the Mayor in her annual State of the
City address in front of a SRO crowd at the Lyceum Theater in Horton Plaza.
The Spirit of San Diego awards were designed to recognize
citizen leadership, participation and commitment to improving San Diego's
quality of life. The ten-inch high, clear sculptures were given in the categories
of: environment, humanitarianism, public safety, good Samaritan, urban design
and local business leadership.
Quoting Mayor Golding: "Anything the government
does successfully could not happen without the will, spirit, energy and
commitment of the people of this city. In my inaugural address, I asked
for your help. I asked for people of this city to come forward and evidence
the spirit of San Diego to each other and take a personal responsibility
for the problems that exist. Tonight, I will recognize some of the outstanding
examples of that spirit - even though there are also many others who deserve
to be mentioned.
"Carolyn Chase, the founder of San Diego Earth
Day, has shown the spirit of San Diego by creating a celebration for the
protection for our earth each year in Balboa Park. It is her vision and
her commitment that we honor tonight. She has the spirit of San Diego."
Carolyn's reaction to the award was typically understated.
"The award is really symbolic of the work of many hundreds - indeed
thousands - of other citizens committed to a clean, healthy and prosperous
environment and quality of life for our region. I am proud and happy to
be able to provide leadership and to muster resources toward that end. I
accept this award on behalf of everyone's efforts for Earth Day and the
environment, each and every day."
Carolyn has donated more than 3,000 volunteer hours
to managing local environmentally-oriented events, projects and volunteers.
Her final remarks are typical of all successful community organizers: ".
. . and remember, everyone can do something. You are all invited to our
next volunteer introductory meeting. Call 496-6666 for the time, date and
location."
