Community Corner

City Council Honors Citizens of the Year Robert and Charleen Vuillaume

The community recognized the Darien couple with cake and coffee at Monday's City Council meeting.

It's been just about six weeks since Robert and Charleen Vuillaume were named Darien's 2012 Citizens of the Year, but the couple is still astonished at the outpouring of admiration they've gotten from the community.

"From when first heard about the award, we were nonbelieving, shocked, surprised, very humbled and somewhat embarrassed," Robert said with a smile at Monday's . 

The Vuillaume's modesty, however, is just one aspect of why the Darien Citizens of the Year committee chose to recognize the couple.

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Darien's City Council and members of the community gathered Monday to honor the Vuillaumes with a resolution and a reception at .

"Robert and Charleen Vuillaume have selflessly given their time, talents and treasurers in support of Darien," Mayor Kathleen Weaver read in the resolution.

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Through the Gift of Carl Foundation, the Vuillaumes have supported literacy, theater and music programs for local children and teens. They also help fund the purchase of memorial trees that are planted around Darien as part of the city's Arbor Day celebration.

"It’s truly remarkable to read all of those accomplishments, and you should be very proud," Weaver said. "When you hear all that read, I’m sure it surprises even you what you’ve accomplished."

Matt Goodwin also presented the Vuillaumes with an award on behalf of Darien VFW Post 2838 that recognized them as life members of the VFW National Home for Children, which takes in the widows and children of deceased veterans.

The city will again honor the Vuillaumes March 24 at the annual Citizen of the Year Dinner/Dance at . Tickets are $30 and are available for purchase at City Hall.

For more about the Vuillaumes and the Gift of Carl Foundation, read "."


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