_____________________________________________________________________________________
By Pauline Masson –
Nine times a year the Pacific Partnership and what ever volunteers they can round up, promote and conduct a familiar series of outdoor events.
These are the parades, pageants, music shows, car show and rodeo that entice residents out of doors to mix with friends and acquaintances and enjoy the rites of the seasons.
The Pacific Partnership and its volunteers hosted nine outdoor events in the city in 2023 – the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, four Sunset on the Rails music shows, the Pacific Car Show, the Iron Horse Rodeo, Hometown Christmas and the Christmas Parade.
Come the Christmas time, the Partnership recognizes members who help make it all happen.
This year, top honors went to Jeff and Paula White who were presented with the Partnership Visionary Award for their tireless effort in helping the community raise funds to construct the Jeffrey White Skate Park.
Their presence enhanced a series of fund raisers conducted by their son’s friends, who have vowed to construct a skate park as a memorial to the younger White – a renowned child skater who lost his life in Afghanistan in April 3, 2012.
The award to the Whites was one of four plaques that Josh Sachs, Partnership president and Val Droege, Partnership executive director presented to honorees during the December 13 Chamber of Commerce / Pacific Partnership annual Christmas celebration at the Pacific Eagles hall.
Other Partnership top workers who were honored include Brian Quick, Partnership Board Member of the Year; Sarah Summers, Dedication Award for dedication, devotion and steadfast unwavering support; and Linn Vogt, Public Service Award for Outstanding service Above and Beyond expectations
._____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Among biggest Partnership news of 2023 was hiring Val Droege – a networker who has deep roots in Pacific area civic and cultural life – as executive director.
Droege is a business owner, who owns and operates a screen printing company, AquariusMediaPro. She, her teenage daughters, and husband have lived in Villa Ridge for 17 years.
The enthusiastic executive director has served as treasurer and later president of Coleman Elementary PTO while her daughters attended school there. She was a Girl Scout Leader and Co-leader when they were in Girl she is secretary of Pacific High School Band Boosters, and a member of MVR3 Key Communicators.
Droege credits her work with local groups for her current role.
“My experience with the non-profits led me to this position of executive director for the Pacific Partnership,” she said. “I love it so far, and I’m excited for this upcoming year’s events and look forward to focusing on more improvements we can make, not only to Pacific Station Plaza, where we recently replaced the signage.”
