2011 Samaritan Awards

Philomath First Senior Citizen

Dale Collins

Dale Collins has proven that he is a person that believes in leading by example.  It is difficult to find a person that has more faith in the City of Philomath than Dale Collins.  Dale has been involved in the community since moving to Philomath in 1972. He has not taken his role in the community lightly and considers it part of living in Philomath to be involved.  Dale has served the community as a volunteer firefighter from 1972 – 1982, served on the Philomath City Council from 1975 to 1981 and 4 of those years were served as Mayor of Philomath.  Dale is active in the Philomath Lions Club, has received the Melvin Jones Award for his service, works in organizing items for their Book Sale, and collects and prices items for their Garage Sale. Dale is on the Philomath Downtown Association’s Design Team – he waters plants at least two days a week from May through September. He rewired lights for the Christmas lights on Main Street and is getting ready to organize groups for the median maintenance. Dale is on the Philomath Area Chamber Ambassador Team, frequently attends the luncheons, he volunteers to help in the office and even mows the lawn in front of the caboose. During the spring through fall months, Dale can be seen mowing and helping maintain the pocket park that was created where the electronic reader board was installed.  He is also busy helping plant and maintains the landscaping at both ends of town where we welcome visitors to Philomath.
And in none of these organizations does he take a back row seat.  He is out there doing and helping and making this community a better place. Dale has seen a need and goes after a solution with an eager, positive attitude.  When the desire to have lights up for the holiday season, he researched what it would take to make it happen and “twisted arms” to get the electrical work done on the light posts throughout town so that the lights could be plugged in and enjoyed. 

Dale has also been overheard to say that he felt if everyone in our community could just give “one hour a month” – they could do it spread out an hour at a time or contribute it all at once, that our community would be a much better place and everyone could have pride and ownership in our town.  

Philomath First Citizen

Erin Haynes

Erin Haynes has lived in the Willamette Valley since he was 18 when he came as a freshman to play football at OSU. He started working at OSU right after graduation and in 2005 he retired after 32 years at OSU. He was the student body president of his high school of 2,500 students and the senior class president while at OSU. He still serves many leadership roles in the community. While he loves to read and is a big history buff, Erin’s interest and hobbies center mostly around his volunteer activities, which are extensive. Here are some of his current volunteer activities: 

• Vice President of the Philomath Booster Club
• Very instrumental in the passage of the Philomath School Bond, including serving as Director for Pass the Bond Committee
• Financial sponsor of numerous annual community events – PYAC Fundraiser, Booster Club’s Golf Tournament & Monte Carlo Night
• Member of Rotary, has served as President, chairs the County Fair ticket takers fundraiser, and volunteers at men’s homeless shelter
• Very supportive of Philomath athletic programs and youth in the community
• Announces Middle school and JV football games, and the annual basket ball tournament
• Coordinates the team game programs for several sports
• Philomath Football Club President
• Membership chair for the Philomath Baseball Association
• Serves as Chapter Advisor of Phi Delta Theta at OSU for 35+ years and House Corporation Treasurer

He loves to play Santa and has done so since a student at OSU. He carried on that tradition and has played Santa for probably close to 1,000 children over the years.

Philomath Junior First Citizen

Alyssa Williamson

Alyssa has a passion for Philomath and works hard to see it flourish.  Her past and current services to the community include serving as the Frolic Queen in 2007-08, volunteering at PYAC, working on the Promotions Committee of the Philomath Downtown Association and recently being elected to the board of the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce.  As those who have worked with her can attest, Alyssa is an active participant when she gets involved with any organization and brings a lot of great ideas to the table.

As an employee for Citizens Bank, Alyssa has been tremendous.  She is great with customers, co-workers and the community at large.  Not only is she personable, but she is consistently looking for opportunities to do more than her job asks of her.  As a community bank, it’s important that our employees find opportunities give back to the community that supports us so well.  Alyssa didn’t need any prompting. She sought out the opportunities to serve mentioned previously.

Philomath is very fortunate to have retained this hometown girl.  She is a testament that our community does have opportunities for local graduates to build a career in the area.  For all she has done and strives to do for Philomath, it is my privilege to nominate Alyssa Williamson as the Philomath Junior First Citizen.  

Volunteer Awards

In addition, a variety of Philomath agencies, clubs and institutions nominated volunteers for the Samaritan Awards. Here's a listing of those winners, and the nominating group:

Benton County Museum - Rod Harvey, Clemens Primary School - Melissa Sollitt, Mary's River Quilt Guild - Jan Tallis, Nazarene Christian School - Ralph Conner, Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce - Barb Hartz, Philomath Booster Club - Erin Haynes, Philomath Boy Scout Troop #161 - Forrest Chambers, Philomath Community Foundation - Cheryl Black, Philomath Community Services - Debbie Thorpe, Philomath Downtown Association - Cheri Galvin, Philomath Elementary School - Robin Brattain, Philomath Fire & Rescue - Dave Wiger, Philomath Fire & Rescue - Marta McGovern-Philpott, Philomath Frolic & Rodeo - Buzz and Frankie Anderton, Philomath High School - Jackie Thorsness, Philomath Lions Club - Doug Fish, Philomath Middle School - Linda Skaar, Philomath Police Department - Chaplain Dave Brooks, Philomath Youth Activities Club - Ken Thrall, Philomath Rotary Club - Kathy DeYoung, Strengthening Rural Families - Deb Crisman.