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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2024 19 In January, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce named Anita Worthen Citizen of the Year for her dedicated service to the city's veterans and their families. Many elected officials and community leaders, including State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and the representative for Congressman Raul Ruiz, were in attendance. Art Welch, former Mayor of Banning, presented Anita with the Citizen of the Year award and shared a humorous anecdote about how Anita recruited him to help organize the Veterans Expo. He joked and said, "She's the world's biggest pest! Anita is invaluable. We've been working together for 15 years." Anita's dedication motivated her to become Founder of the Pass Area Veterans Expo, an annual event held in Beaumont since 2013. Its purpose is to connect military personnel, veterans, and their families with the resources they need. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Los Angeles, Anita attended Los Angeles High School. After graduating, she embarked on a 28-year career with American Airlines. She credits these years with acquiring the networking and organizational skills to effectively manage the Veterans Expo. Anita's husband, sadly, suffered from complications related to Agent Orange exposure. As a military spouse, she understood the challenges veterans and their families faced in accessing earned benefits and resources. After her husband's death, she moved to Beaumont in 2008, connected with the Chamber of Commerce, and had an encounter with a woman struggling to access her VA benefits. Anita thought, "Why don't we do a program here in Beaumont to assist?" In 2013, with the Chamber's support, she launched a Veterans Expo. Eleven years ago, it started with 63 attendees. This year's event on Jan. 20, drew 450 participants from Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. As Anita's husband often said, "Family is not just blood; family are the people you bond with and who care for and support each other." She embodies this sentiment. Anita truly exemplifies the kind of dedication and compassion any community is fortunate to have. ~ Regina omas In recognition of her commitment to the Veterans Assistance Program, Anita was presented with seven certificates during the Citizen of the Year awards ceremony. ese awards were bestowed by the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, City of Beaumont, City of Calimesa, County of Riverside, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, California's 23rd Senate District, and California's 25th Congressional District. A Servant's Heart RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT