VANCOUVER — Clark County recognizes that older adults are valuable contributors to the vitality of this community. To encourage and support older adults for their contributions, the Clark County Commission on Aging established a program to recognize older adults who go above and beyond in service.
The co-recipients of the 2024 Silver Citizen Award are Bev Jones and Larry Smith.
Jones is known for not only giving selflessly of her time, but joyfully as well. She served the community professionally for 43 years as a nurse, retiring in 2021. Since then, she has been an active member of the Battle Ground Lions Club, and in 2016 was honored as the Battle Ground Citizen of the Year. In addition to her work for the Lions Club, Jones has volunteered with many organizations including the North Clark County Community Food Bank, Battle Ground Education Foundation, Battle Ground Police Department Shop with a Cop, and Friends of the Library.
Smith served in a number of public sector and volunteer posts. Among those are the Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross, Clark County Pride Committee, Clark County Parks Foundation, the Clark County Historical Society and Museum and Meals on Wheels. Smith is perhaps best known for co-founding the Community Military Appreciation Committee and for serving the city of Vancouver as both a councilor and as mayor pro tem. He has received several awards including the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s First Citizen award, which is given annually to a Clark County resident who models the attributes of good citizenship through leadership, action, civic pride, and cultivates inclusive civic engagement practices.
The Silver Citizen Award recognizes the valuable contributions older adults make to the vitality of the community and is open to any county resident 60 years or older who has enhanced the community through their life’s work, engagement of others, volunteerism and/or other impactful acts of service to the community for any age group. The next nomination period will begin in summer 2025.
The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.
