Citizen of the Year: Jewel Lamb

CRYSTAL RIVER — A homegrown champion for charitable organizations throughout the county, Jewel Lamb never thinks twice about working hard for the betterment of her community.

MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle

Jewel and Steve Lamb pose Wednesday for a photo at their home in Crystal River. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts and the zeal she has for helping those in need in Citrus County, Jewel Lamb has been named the Chronicle’s Citizen of the Year for 2011.

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“She helps people all the time and without recognition,” said Chronicle publisher Gerry Mulligan.

However, in appreciation for her humanitarian efforts and the zeal she has for helping those in need in Citrus County, Jewel Lamb has been named our Citizen of the Year for 2011.

Jewel, along with her husband, Steve, owns Crystal Automotive Group in Crystal River.

But Jewel is better known in the community for her charitable work.

She is a member of several organizations, including the We Care Food Pantry and the YMCA of the Suncoast — Citrus Branch. She is also a past board member of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Citrus County and the Citrus County Education Foundation.

As someone who has had so much success in her personal life, Steve Lamb said his wife believes strongly in philanthropy because of that success.

“You know what drives her? How blessed we are for what we have,” he said. “She absolutely believes in giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate ... I think Jewel pretty much sets the standard for community
involvement.”

Throughout their 17-year-long marriage, Steve said his wife has always been a tenacious yet sweet and giving person with insurmountable amounts of energy and incredible organizational skills.

Even long-time friend and neighbor, Silvia Grillo can’t figure out where Jewel garners all her dynamism. Beyond working hours on end helping numerous not-for-profit organizations and running a business, she still finds the time to be an attentive mom, wife and grandmother who keeps an immaculate house and has amazing skills in the kitchen.

“Even when she cooks she can whip up a dinner at the drop of a hat and it’s gourmet,” Grillo marveled. “She’s amazing. That’s all I can say. She’s really Superwoman.”

While Jewel’s compassion for others is far-reaching, her true soft spot is for helping children, the homeless and the hungry and also rallying for King’s Bay. She is currently chairperson of the capital campaign to build a YMCA in Citrus County, and this year’s Corvette draw raised $100,200 for two local charities: United Way of Citrus County and the Black Diamond Foundation. She also is very involved with providing funding for Mission in Citrus in Crystal River, and she is a board member with Save Crystal River, a newly formed non-profit opposing the regulation of the bay by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tom Thomas, board member and past president of United Way Citrus County, said many people do not realize Jewel gives a lot and in ways that are not well known to the community.

And it’s a couple’s effort, he added.

“(Jewel and Steve) both do a lot together,” he said.

Most recently, both Jewel and Steve donated a 2012 Dodge Ram Hemi quad-cab pickup truck to raise funds for the new Feed Citrus County Distribution Center and the We Care Food Pantry through a drawing.

“She’s like a little unseen angel that shows up when you need her,” said Diane Toto, president of the We Care Food Pantry in Homosassa. “She’s someone that understands vision. She has a deep feeling for people.”

Toto said she has always had contact with Jewel on and off for about four years, but when work began on trying to raise funds to build the distribution center in Homosassa, Jewel really stepped in to help.

And for Jewel, it’s not just about writing a check, Toto added. She is not afraid to work hard and “get her hands dirty.”

“She’s more than money. It’s what she does behind the scenes,” she said. “People don’t love Jewel for her money. It’s Jewel herself as a person.”

But Steve admits that as much as his wife loves to help others, she never does it for the praise or recognition. In fact, if someone tries to give her props, she quickly changes the subject.

“We have a saying: ‘You can accomplish anything you want as long as you don’t care who gets credit,’” Steve said. “She doesn’t like accolades. She lets her work in the community speak for her.”

Though he said his wife may be a bit embarrassed (in a good way) about being honored so publicly in the newspaper, he knows she will be extremely appreciative for the commendation.

“I’m glad she’s getting recognized,” Grillo said. “She truly deserves it.”

Chronicle reporter Shemir Wiles can be reached at 352-564-2924 or swiles@chronicleonline.com.

Past Citizens of the Year

* 2010 Paul Mellini
* 2009 Brown Dumas Jr.
* 2008 Lace Blue-McLean and Andy Houston
* 2007 Barbara Mills
* 2006 Jean Grant
* 2005 Mike and Kautia Hampton
* 2004 Aaron Weaver
* 2003 Pete DeRosa
* 2002 Don Sutton
* 2001 Leroy Bellamy
* 2000 Ron and Beverly Drinkhouse
* 1999 Stan Olsen
* 1998  Gary Maidhof
* 1997  Chet Cole
* 1996  Curt Ebitz
* 1995 Laura Lou Fitzpatrick and John Lettow
* 1994  Peggy and Dave Pattillo
* 1993  Ray Darling and William Bunch
* 1992  Avis Craig
* 1991  Annie W. Johnson and Father James C. Hoge
* 1990  Ginger West
* 1989  David Langer and Phil Zellner
* 1988  Bob and Mary England
* 1987  Dr. Ed Dodge
* 1986  Wilson Burns and Steve Lamb
* 1985  Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board: Charles Miko, David Walker, Dixie Hollins, Tom Franklin, Rick Rollason, Robert Henigar and Clark Stillwell
* 1984  Ruth Levins
* 1983  Sam Tamposi
* 1982  Judge William F. Edwards
* 1981  Hank and Miriam Cohen
* 1980  The Rev. Roger Shively