April is National Volunteer Month and the City of Aurora named its 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and the Aurora City Council surprised Aurora resident Curtis Wilson with the first Volunteer of the Year award in more than 15 years.
“He is the personification of selfless service and embodies the true spirit of community, “said Irvin when Wilson was introduced at a recent City Council meeting and lauded by members of the Aurora City Council.
Wilson serves as a commissioner on three City boards: The Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board, Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, and the Aurora Civilian Review Board, where he serves as chairman. Wilson is a stalwart volunteer at events in multiple wards, sometimes volunteering at more than one event on the same day.
“He has been at every event I’ve hosted so far, and they wouldn’t have been a success without him,” said Ward 7 alderman Brandon Tolliver. Similar sentiments were echoed by Ward 2 alderwoman Juany Garza, Ward 5 alderman Carl Franco, Ward 6 alderman Mike Saville, Ward 8 alderwoman Patty Smith, and Ward 10 alderwoman Shweta Baid.
Wilson strongly supports City departments, where he volunteers at events, including the Aurora Festival of Lights, job fairs, the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative workshops, and the Aurora Senior Shovel Program.
“I am humbled, but this isn’t about me. It is about all of us as a community,” said Wilson and he held back tears, when accepting the surprise recognition.
—City of Aurora government