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 established a program to recognize older adults who go above and beyond in service.

The co-recipients of the 2024 Silver Citizen Award are Bev Jones and Larry Smith. Bev is known for not only giving selflessly of her time, but joyfully as well. She served the community professionally for 43-years as a nurse, retiring in 2021. Since then, Bev has been an active member of the Battle Ground Lions Club, and in 2016 was honored as the Battle Ground Citizen of the Year. In addition to her work for the Lions Club, Bev has given her time and energies to many organizations including the North Clark County Community Food Bank, Battle Ground Education Foundation, Battle Ground Police Department Shop with a Cop, and Friends of the Library, to name a few. 

Larry’s resume spans public sector service and volunteer posts that include innumerable boards, committees and commissions. Among those are the SW Chapter of the American Red Cross, Clark County Pride Committee, Clark County Parks Foundation, the Clark County Historic Society and Museum, and Meals on Wheels. Larry is perhaps best known for co-founding CMAC (Community Military Appreciation Committee) and for serving the City of Vancouver as both a Councilor and as Mayor Pro Tem. Larry is described as having a great love and loyalty for this community. He has received several awards including the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s First Citizen award (2017) which is given annually to a Clark County resident who models the attributes of good citizenship through leadership, action, civic pride, and cultivates inclusive civic engagement practices. Recipients of this award are individuals who, through their business, volunteering, and philanthropic efforts, improve the lives of those in the community by serving first. 

The award presentation will take place at the commission’s Wednesday, Nov. 20 meeting at 4:30 p.m. The event will use a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Attend in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or join by phone or computer through information provided at: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging-meetings.

The 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. The next nomination period will begin in summer 2025.

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members. 

For more about the commission, visit www.clark.wa.gov/aging. 

CONTACT:
Amy Wooten, Community Planning
564.397.4913, amy.wooten@clark.wa.gov  

Susan Ellinger, Community Planning
564.397.4516, susan.ellinger@clark.wa.gov