The evening was aglow last Sunday night at the 20 Annual Christmas Island Style Gala, organized by the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the naming of the Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award there were two other special awards given, these by Christmas Island Style Chairman Steve “Stef” Stefanides.

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In making the first award Stefanides reached back 20 years to the genesis of the event when he recognized its original founder.

“She truly was the wind under the wings of this wonderful event which has grown steadily since its beginnings twenty years ago,” he said. “Marco Island was fortunate that Dawn Norgren had the vision and energy to lift this event from an idea to a reality.”

Norgren, formally a resident of Marco Island and owner of Island Title, had been invited by Stefanides to “just meet some old friends” and was surprised by the presentation.

“I had to convince the board (of the Chamber) that the event could indeed be a success. They had just lost money on an event that didn’t go so well, but to our delight they backed the effort and the rest was history. I was part of a great committee that worked hard those first years and I’m pleased to see how much a success this has all become” said Norgren.

The second surprise of the evening came when Stefanides, known for giving his “Unsung Heroes Awards” at the annual Chamber gala, presented another special award to Dee and Jerry Bare for their longtime role as portraying Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 30 day celebration on Marco which is known as Christmas Island Style.

Stefanides went on to praise the couple for untold hours of effort bringing joy to the children of Marco and those off the Island.

“Jerry and Dee also travel as far away as Youth Haven to help provide those children with a wonderful Christmas holiday under the most challenging of circumstances” said Stefanides. “It is the wonderful spirit of people such as Dawn, Jerry, Dee and all the other wonderful volunteers and organizations here on Marco that truly speak to why we’re known as the Island of Angels.”

Stefanides went on to explain that the event gained official recognition when former County Commissioner and longtime island resident Dick Shanahan sponsored a proclamation declaring such when he represented Marco Island as a County Commissioner.