Chip-In Hall of Fame Award

Introducing the Citrus Heights Chip-In Hall of Fame Award

The City of Citrus Heights is proud to launch the Chip-In Hall of Fame Award, a new volunteer recognition program celebrating residents who make a meaningful impact in our community.

This award honors individuals who embody our Citrus Heights Cares initiative by "Chipping In"—whether through beautification efforts, acts of kindness, or dedicated volunteerism. These are the unsung heroes who give back selflessly, expecting no recognition but truly deserving it.

Nominate a Chip-In Champion

On Wednesday, March 12th, we invited residents to nominate outstanding individuals who go above and beyond to improve our city. The nominees shown below will be invited to our Volunteer Appreciation Week Reception on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where we will announce the award recipient. The winner will be announced through our social media channels after the event.

The awardee will be anonymously selected by a panel of community leaders and City staff based on their nomination submissions.

Click through the carousel to view the nominees below!

Melissa Hayden, a woman laying down on the grass with a dog.

Melissa Hayden

Melissa has worked tirelessly in animal rescue in our city. She was instrumental in getting donations for spay and neuter of homeless cats and kittens, working with trappers to coordinate appointments.

John Healy, a man wearing a grey shirt, jeans, glasses, and a hat.

John Healy

John is a chaplain with LECS and he is a mentor with placer county veterans court. He is also active in local veterans groups. He belongs to American legion post 169. 

Natalee Price, a woman wearing a Christmas sweater, a Santa hat, and other Christmas jewelry.

Natalee Price

Natalee is involved in both the Area 10 SOAR Neighborhood Association and REACH. She spearheaded initiatives like Good Neighbor Week and community yard sale day, drawing inspiration from NUSA, fostering stronger community bonds. She has planted trees, organized cleanups with a revitalized local Lions Club, and provided essential grocery shopping for seniors.

Michael Lagomarsino, a man wearing a Citrus Heights Police Department uniform.

Michael Lagomarsino

Michael is the records volunteer but has offered his assistance to many of the programs and departments at the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD). He attends every city council meeting and has even spoken on behalf of the records to bring awareness to the agency's workload.

Mike Rutledge, a man wearing a Citrus Heights Police Department uniform.

Mike Rutledge

Mike contributes to the Citrus Heights Police Department’s (CHPD) Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) program. Since its inception, Mike has been the backbone of CHPD’s drone program, playing an instrumental role in its development, success, and continued innovation. He is also a FAA Part 107-certified pilot instructor. He’s led countless critical missions for the CHPD. He has personally field-trained nearly every CHPD pilot.

Al Fox, a man wearing a grey button up, black pants, and glasses. He's standing and smiling.

Al Fox

Al has been a great Citrus Heights partner with our schools. His response to any asks has always been, "I'm going to try my best". Al has led so many beautification projects, donations, and multiple acts of service for ALL of our Citrus Heights Schools. He is an active volunteer through many service clubs such as Heights Church and the Rotary Club of Citrus Heights. He has helped solicit attendance incentive cards, school banners, back to school balloon arches for the students and has served a community partner to San Juan Unified School District through different avenues. 

Ray and Karen Helzerman

Ray and Karen Helzerman provide critical SeeClickFix reporting by patrolling the City every Wednesday and looking for blight and safety issues. They are a Chip In power couple, driving around and reporting potholes, abandoned shopping carts, illegal dumps and all other issues they encounter on their patrols. They are directly responsible for submitting tons of service requests that assist the City in the Fight against Blight and Pothole Fixing! 

Ray and Karen Helzerman, a man and a woman standing beside the door to a Smart Ride bus.

Allan Pentecost

For years, Allan has been a critical part of the Citrus Heights Event Center's facility rental team. He created the system used to book and track event registrations and scheduling. In the past five years, Allan has been instrumental in improving General Services Department efficiency and significantly reducing stress by creating macro-enabled tracking systems for a variety of work tasks, including financial tracking, contract tracking and other administrative functions. 

Allan Pentecost, a man wearing a black shirt and glasses. He is smiling and looking at the camera.

Janet Harry

Dating back to 2016, Janet has been a constant reliable force within the organization and community. She is always willing to step up—whether it's providing reliable clerical support, organizing and decorating events to lift morale, representing the city or police department at community booths, or fostering support, leadership, wellness, and camaraderie among CHPD. Janet actively participates in various city-sponsored events, such as the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. She brings the Citrus Heights residents she cares for with her, giving them the opportunity to enjoy these community gatherings as well.

Janet Harry, a woman wearing a Citrus Heights Police Department uniform.

Joan Whittaker

Joan has been a volunteer at the Event Center since the day the Center opened. She has consistently volunteered her time at the front desk for 15 years. She is always willing to help our guests with questions, bookings and tours. She is always friendly with the clients and we appreciate her dedication to our building.

Joan Whittaker, a woman sitting at a desk in front of a computer, waving and smiling to camera.

Kathy Morris

There is so very much that Kathy volunteers for that the list would wrap around the block. Examples: REACH President, parks cleanup, San Juan School district, neighbors night out, attends almost every City Council meeting, etc. 

Kathy Morris, a woman wearing a white shirt with dragonflies on it and white shorts.