Veronica Johnson Is 2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year!
“There are so many people more worthy of this title,” Johnson said, asking that this article be less about her and more about the thriving volunteer community in Columbia Heights and all the ways people can get involved. “It’s so easy to volunteer in this town. We have so many opportunities. I’m just one of the many people who show up.”
In fact, Columbia Heights keeps a running list of volunteer and service opportunities in town on its website at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/volunteer. Right now, you’ll find information about Adopt-a-Drain, Anoka County Community Action, Athletic Boosters, the City Beautification Committee, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bitty Kitty Brigade, Community Farmers Market, First Lutheran Church, Friends of the Library, HeightsNEXT, Kiwanis, Key Club, Lions Club, the City’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Monarch Pledge, Neighborhood Watch, Rotary, the Sister Cities Committee, Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA), Government Advisory Commissions, City events and sponsorship opportunities, and Toastmasters, as well as a few paying public service opportunities like working as an election judge or being an on-call firefighter.
We welcome additions to the list. Do you want your community organization or non-profit to be added? Email details to bsandell@columbiaheightsmn.gov. For anyone reading this, we encourage you to consider getting involved if you haven’t already, or please spread the word about all the available opportunities nearby.
As for Veronica, we can’t end this article without talking about her at least a little bit. Veronica is the current president of the local Kiwanis Club, a longtime member of the Sister Cities group and American Association of University Women, a regular volunteer at SACA, Community United Methodist Church, and the League of Women Voters, an Anoka County Recycling Ambassador, a regular Adopt-a-Drain participant, a dependable election judge for City elections, member of the Community Centennial Committee, and regular volunteer at City events. She was nominated by Dolores Strand and Karen Karkula and selected by the Mayor in consultation with last year’s Outstanding Citizen winners.
The Outstanding Citizen Award is meant to put a spotlight on previously under-recognized Columbia Heights citizens who have made or continue to make positive impacts in the community through volunteering, charitable contributions, or other activities and efforts that benefit the overall community. Non-residents, elected officials, or current candidates for office are not eligible. Do you know of someone you'd like to nominate? Nomination forms are available for 2023 at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/outstanding.
Congratulations, Veronica!
5-12-2022