This year, Council Member Penny Lilburn will be receiving the Community Pioneer Award for all the work she has done throughout the community. She was first elected to the Highland City Council in January 2004, and re-elected in November 2008 and 2012. Heavily involved in the community, Penny is also the Executive Director of the Highland Senior Center where she has served seniors for the past 20 years. She served as Mayor of Highland from December 2007 – 2010 and Mayor Pro-tem from 2011-2013. Council Member Lilburn currently serves on the Board of Directors for Omintrans and is the current Chair for the Plans & Programs Committee as well as past Chairman of the Board. She also serves as an Alternate Board Member for San Bernardino Associated Governments and serves on the City of Highland’s Public Safety sub-committee, the Orange County Property Task Force and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Valley Transportation Agency.
Prior to her position on the city Council, Penny served as President of the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce, served a two year term as President of the Highland Woman’s Club, was honored as Citizen of the Year for the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce, won the League of Woman Voters Citizen of Achievement Award, was Assemblyman Emmerson’s Woman of Distinction and was named California’s Woman of the Year in 2000.
Kim Carter, Executive Director of Time for Change Foundation, stated, “I was totally elated when the selection committee chose Penny Lilburn. She is one of the few people I know that blends government and community work together creating a win-win for all.”
In addition to her many other civic duties and board positions, Penny is a single mother of one daughter, Courtney, serves as a Board Member for St. Bernardines Medical Center Foundation, Community Board Member for Security Bank of California, Past President and a founding member of the Highland Kiwanis Club, Board member of the VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California and continues to serve on boards for other local agencies.
Other awardees at this year’s event include: Dan and Melissa Carlone for the Community Champion Award; Safety Employees’ Benefit Association for the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award; Michael Gallo for the Humanitarian Award; Brenda Dowdy and Vicki Lee-Nichols for the Community Service Award; and Ron Cochran for the Public Safety Award.
The mission of Time for Change Foundation is to empower disenfranchised low income individuals and families by building leadership through evidenced-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities. Event sponsorship opportunities and seats are available. Please call 909-886-2994 or visit www.timeforchangefoundation.org for more information or to make a donation.