Chamber names Elsie Stearns Citizen of the Year
Fighting back tears, Elsie Stearns graciously accepted the Al Mills Citizen of the Year award last week during the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. The Al Mills award is presented to one individual or organization each year to recognize dedication and commitment to island residents and the business community. From the time Stearns arrived on Pine Island, she has exemplified this with her never ending acts of selflessness. She credits her beliefs due to the mentorship of another devoted individual.
Stearns first came to Pine Island with her family 28 years ago and enrolled her two young children into Pine Island Elementary School and went to work at the island Winn-Dixie.
“One day while I was at work at the grocery store, Donna Roach, the branch manager of Landmark Bank came to me and offered me a job as a teller. My kids were in school and I felt ready to begin a career and in time, Donna became a role model for me,” Stearns said. “She had always been very active in the community, in fact she also served on the fire board. I paid a lot of attention to what Donna did and how she handled things. I learned a lot from her and from my dad who also gave of himself for the better of his community and it is my hope that I can instill this same sense of caring in my children and grandchildren as well. I have received awards in the past, but never expected to receive such an honor as this one and making it all the more special was that it was presented to me by my best friend.”
Presenting the award was chamber member and close friend, Carlyn Herring who relayed information about Stearns’ accomplishments and contributions to the Pine Island community.
“It is such an honor for me to present Elsie with this award. We have been friends for more than 25 years and I have seen first hand how much she has given of her self to the community. Elsie has been involved with Coastal Cleanup efforts, has been a long-time volunteer at Pine Island Elementary School, and a founding member of the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fund,” Herring said. “Her biggest challenge was her term at chair of the Pine Island Fire Board. These were very trying times for the fire board, yet Elsie always did her best to look out for the best interests of her community. In most recent years, Elsie was responsible for bringing back the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, she is now on the board of directors of the Beacon of HOPE and her bank regularly is the host site for Radiology Regional’s Mobile Mammo so that those who cannot afford to have their annual mammorgrams or who do not have the time or ability to leave the island, can get their screenings here on the island.”
Herring also added that Stearns’ bank, Southwest Capital, also serves as a drop off location for the Pine Island Food Pantry, is a regular volunteer at the Taste of Pine Island, each year spends time ringing bells for the Lee County Salvation Army Kettle Campaign and more.
“I don’t know anyone who has done more for Pine Island than Elsie,” Herring said. “And in my opinion, she is very deserving of this award.”
Stearns expressed her reason for her passion about the community of Pine Island.
“When I moved here I quickly realized that this community was like my family and like my family, you take care of them,” Stearns said. “I love making things happen for people and to help their dreams be realized. My dreams all have come true. I have a loving husband, wonderful children and terrific grandchildren and live in a community that is one of the most caring and giving I have ever seen.”
This marked the eighth presentation of the Al Mills award, named after a former community leader and past president of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. Past recipients include Nancy Goodwin, Peg Harmon, the founding members of PILTRO, Betsy Haesemyer, Sally Tapager, Dan Honc and John “Giddyup” Bunch.