On Tuesday, May 3, the Bluffton Lions Club hosted a dinner at Bluffton Town Hall honoring Ed and Nancy Yeager as the 2021 Citizens of the Year. The husband and wife team are a dynamic duo who support a variety of community programs.

The third floor meeting room was filled with friends, associates and the extended Yeager family. Testimonials, some planned and delivered at the podium and some impromptu from the floor, detailed how much the Yeagers are doing for the Bluffton community.

After being presented with a Lions Club plaque, Ed Yeager talked about why they are involved in opportunities such as the Lions vision screening program for local school children, the board of the Bluffton Family Recreation Center, docents for and board of the Swiss Community Historical Society, board of the Bluffton Public Library and the board of the Bluffton Community Assistance Corporation, a.k.a. the Bluffton Food Pantry.

Ed urged those present to join in such activities, emphasizing the difference an individual can make. He began with the example of the vision screenings, which are a three hour commitment just once a year.

The Yeagers were selected from among nominees who are "Individuals, families, or groups associated with the greater Bluffton area.... Achievements and/or qualities honored are to the degree that the nominee's efforts advanced the quality of life in the greater Bluffton area."

The first such award was made to Dr. F. D. Rodabaugh in 1981. Recent honorees are: 2021 Ed and Nancy Yeager; 2019 Larry Core; 2018 Sam Diller; 2017 Fred Steiner; 2016 Barbara Plaugher, 2015 Ollie Lugibihl; 2014 Denny Morrison, 2013 Dick Ramseyer; 2012 Robert and Beverly Amstutz; 2011 Elaine Harris; 2010 Jerry and Lori Lewis.

A complete list of Citizen of the Year honorees can be found at https://www.blufftonlions.org/citizen-year