Two honorees selected to receive Encinitas ‘2019 Citizen of the Year Award’

The City of Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission in partnership with the Encinitas Rotary Club recently announced the award recipients for the 2019 Senior Citizen of the Year Award. This awards program is designed to identify and celebrate people who have selflessly contributed to the City of Encinitas as a senior citizen role model.

Lynne Calkins and Gregory Butler have been selected for the Senior Citizen of the Year Award as co-award recipients.

Lynne Calkins

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Calkins served as coordinator of the Interfaith Shelter for the past 15 years. As a registered nurse she donated her time to give flu vaccinations to her congregation. She started a caregiver support group and runs a “care team” at her church. She makes sure that members who are homebound are visited by other church members and looked after. The care team offers support, personal visits, and meals to homebound seniors.

Calkins coordinated educational tutoring for refugee children. She organized numerous Death Café events, provides resource information on end-of-life choices and death with dignity movement via her nonprofit organization. Calkins organizes an annual collection of clothing for the poor in Fiji and has participated in several missions to third world countries offering extensive medical knowledge and care to those in need. Finally, she organizes blood drives at the San Dieguito Tennis Club. Calkins volunteers her time, kindness, and amazing wealth of knowledge throughout the year.

Gregory Butler

(Courtesy)

Butler is very active as a volunteer with his church. He has been providing transportation to senior citizens as a volunteer driver for over 12 years. In addition to driving he volunteers to do home repairs and run errands for seniors. He is known as a handyman, carpenter and electrician and puts his skills to good use. He repaired stairs and installed a temporary ramp so that wheelchair bound parishioners could attend mass. For over 30 years, Butler has spent countless hours coordinating quarterly Blood Bank Drives and serves as a liaison between the Blood Bank and the church. He has been the chairperson of the “Tootsie Roll Drive” which provides funds for the mentally disabled and continues annually to have an active role as treasurer and coach. He has been chairperson of numerous events held by St John’s Catholic Church including the Fiesta Christmas Tree Sale and other activities that benefit the community. Butler is an unsung hero whose goal in life is to be a model citizen and lead by example.

Both award recipients displayed dedication, overarching commitment, and demonstrated impact of those served. Calkins and Butler will be honored at an Encinitas City Council video conference meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. They each received a personal award, and their name is listed on a perpetual plaque housed at the Encinitas Senior Center. Additionally, they will be recognized at the Encinitas Rotary video conference meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 12 p.m.
— News release