The Solon Senior Advocates have long thought that there are citizens in our community that contribute in many ways in providing for our community residents. The Advocates recently established an annual “Solon Citizen of the Year,” a recognition that will coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday season each year in order to emphasis the spirit of giving that this recognition warrants. This citizen recognition is different from the Senior Advocates’ “Senior of the Year” which is awarded to those who have volunteered for the betterment of the community.
We feel the first” Solon Citizen of the Year” recognition should be bestowed on Sam Lensing, a person who has gone out of his way to make Thanksgiving and other occasions special. This year his Market Deli prepared Thanksgiving meals for various community groups, and a special Thanksgiving/Christmas meal complete with trimmings for 90 seniors, Friday, December 16 at the Solon Methodist Church.
Sam’s support of the Solon Community Pantry is extraordinary. He orders weekly needed items, plus the grocery’s points system gives the pantry free item choices. For several years he has honored Thanksgiving and Christmas gift certificates given to pantry and school families in sums of $25, $50 and $75.
Despite working long hours and managing a busy grocery store Sam is always ready with a story or joke or take some time to chat. If a certain product is not on the shelf, he will order it if it’s available through his supplier. In November 2008 the store was damaged by a fire, but Sam was undaunted, he set up a small store in Jordan Creek Plaza until his new store opened in September 2009.
The Advocates ask if you have a “Sam” story, send a brief write-up to P. O. Box 99 or
[email protected] and the Economist will publish them from time to time.