Community Corner

Husband and Wife Honored as Citizens of the Year

The Deals, who both have 30 years of volunteer experience in Glendora, will be honored by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce this Thursday.

Stan and Debbie Deal never considered volunteer work as something they had to squeeze into their busy life as parents of three children. Giving back to their community was simply part of everyday family life.

The husband and wife duo have a combined resume of nearly 100 volunteer projects over their nearly 30 years as Glendora residents. 

For their efforts, the two will be honored as the Glendora Chamber of Commerce’s Citizens of the Year this Thursday 6 p.m. at the , 500 Amelia Ave.

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“We always considered that our life is not compartmentalized in different pieces. Our family is engaged in all phases in some way,” said Mr. Deal, a professor at Azusa Pacific University. “We always kept volunteering as part of our family life.”

The two moved from Duarte to Glendora 28 years ago for Glendora’s high performing school district.

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Since then Mr. and Mrs. Deal, both 54, have been regular faces in church programs such as AWANA’s Cornerstone Church, as well as city boards and organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, Glendora Library Trivia Challenge, Glendora Coordinating Council, Centennial Celebration, Glendora Christmas Parade and Kiwanis.

Also among their long list of community contributions, the two have been active in school fundraising efforts, even long after their own children graduated from the school district.

Both continue to serve for the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools, booster clubs and school PTA’s. The two also volunteer on APU boards, including the Alumni Advisory board and the Scholarship Auxiliary.

“Education has always been very important to us,” said Mrs. Deal.  “Our family is full of educators and teachers.”

Deal said volunteering with the schools is important more so now than ever, considering the significant budget cuts schools currently face.

“You hate to see programs end and for them to lose teachers,” said Mrs. Deal. “It’s hard. We love Glendora and we’ll continue to support the kids and teachers.”

The Deals say they are both very honored to be recognized by the community. Despite their impressive and extensive list of achievements, they’ve remained humble.

“I really don’t feel deserving of the award looking at other people who seem to do so much more,” said Mr. Deal.  “It’s very humbling.”

For more information about the Citizens of the Year award dinner, call the at (626) 963-4218. Reservations are $45 and are required.


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