The annual Cypress Americana Awards were held over the weekend at the Disneyland Hotel where top residents, including from Garden Grove and Stanton, from the eight cities the college serves were recognized during a gala dinner.
Those honored from Garden Grove were Mark and Debbie Mahoney. Those honored from Stanton were Joel and Debbie Greer.
A video presentation of each of the residents played at the front of the hall and then each recipient was walked to the stage by their mayor or mayor pro-tem.
The annual Cypress Americana Awards were held over the weekend at the Disneyland Hotel where top residents, including from Garden Grove and Stanton, from the eight cities the college serves were recognized during a gala dinner.
Those honored from Garden Grove were Mark and Debbie Mahoney. Those honored from Stanton were Joel and Debbie Greer.
A video presentation of each of the residents played at the front of the hall and then each recipient was walked to the stage by their mayor or mayor pro-tem.
From Garden Grove, Mark and Debbie Mahoney are not only being recognized as the 2015 Citizens of the Year, but were also the Garden Grove Chamber's Man and Woman of the Year in 2014.
"I truly love Garden Grove and everything we do in the city and it's organizations," said Debbie Mahoney, who grew up in Garden Grove, attending local schools.
"Debbie is a dedicated and compassionate leader whose love for the City of Garden Grove motivates her to work selflessly," said Mark. "I have tremendous pride in the community and continue to volunteer to help create a great place to live,” said Debbie.
"Debbie's dedicated and caring nature is an inspirational force in the lives of many, including me, her husband; I’m involved because of Debbie,” said Mark.
The Mahoneys said it's the best feeling to know that together they can make a contribution to others.
"We both make individual and combined contributions, Mark said.
Some of those contributions since 1998 include Debbie as a past president of the Women's Division of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival and past president of the Garden Grove Renaissance Friends Foundation.
Debbie is the recipient of the Parent Teachers Association Honorary Service Award, a two-time recipient of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce Women's Division Silver Spoon Award and a recipient of the Honda Center Pond Pride Award.
Mark's service includes past presidency leadership for the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, Silver Spoon recipient for the festival, and 22-plus years of active membership in the Elks Lodge, including his current 2014-15 role as Lecturing Knight, and Loyal Knight-Elect for 2015-16. Mark is a recipient of the Model T-Ford Club of America’s highest Award, the Rosenthal Trophy and served as president for three consecutive years.
Together, Mark and Debbie have been active in the Garden Grove Sister City Program as a host family from 2002-2010.
Mark's family began farming in Anaheim in 1881 in the area that is now part of Buena Park. Mark is a Model-T enthusiast, an interest that introduced him to Debbie. He has spent 40 years as a board member of the Orange County Model-T Ford Club, serving seven times as its president, and has been a board member for 18 years.
In addition to their service, both of the Mahoneys have a rewarding professional life and they are an exemplary couple who make Garden Grove a greater city for all.
Some background information about the Greer's includes:
-In 2007 Joel said he had just finished his MBA at Cal State Long Beach and that Debbie and he were looking for something they could do together;
-Debbie said she found an ad for the Citizen’s Academy in the newspaper, that interested them and so they both attended. "That was an opportunity to meet city officials and learn more about how city government operates," said Joel.
-After the seven-week classes, the Greers began attending City Council meetings to stay informed and that's when the then Mayor David Cadenzas asked if one of them would be interested in serving on the Planning Commission.
"I applied for the position and Councilman Al Ethans appointed me in 2008 where I have served for the past seven years," Joel explained.
Shortly after that, Debbie was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission, where she participated in neighborhood meetings to help determine the Central Park design and participated in the Healthy Eating, Active Living program and was one of the founding members of the Stanton Community Foundation, where she remains an active member.
Both of the Greers continue to participate in citywide events, assisting wherever they're needed. Joel is the official city photographer, taking thousands of pictures at the Easter egg hunts, Halloween with Family and Friends, Christmas in the City, the Veterans Day services, the Car Show, and the Mayor’s Prayer breakfasts.
"We have both enjoyed serving on our commissions and being part of city events, and meeting people throughout the city," said Joel.
Debbie grew up in Tennessee and Joel grew up in El Segundo and they have both been active in their church groups. Joel leads a Bible study on Sundays and Debbie serves in the Women’s Ministries in Westminster, in addition to their full-time careers.
"We consider it an honor to be selected to represent the City of Stanton at the American Awards dinner."
