Sauk Rapids Names Its Citizen of the Year

(KNSI) – Jackie Johnson has been named the 2022 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year. She’ll be celebrated at next week’s City Council meeting.

“Mayor Kurt Hunstiger is going to do a proclamation saying it’s Jackie Johnson Day in Sauk Rapids on Monday and he will officially present the plaque to me, and the award.”

Johnson says a coworker at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota and other acquaintances nominated her for the honor, completely unbeknownst to herself. She says she is still processing the distinction.

“It’s very humbling to think that others would feel that I would be deserving of such an award.”

Johnson was told on Monday by a delegation from the City of Sauk Rapids at her office. She is the executive director of the venerable charity organization and has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota for a dozen years.

Before that, she worked for Catholic Charities overseeing the Foster Grandparents program. Those age 55 and older volunteer as much as 40 hours per week mentoring children. They are assigned to daycares and schools across the area.

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