Gridley Lions celebrate the Lions Citizen of the Year, Javier Solis. Pictured left to right: Barbara Ott, Pedro Mota, Don Daniels and Javier Solis.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley Lions International Club recently honored a local citizen for their dedication to the community.

Each year clubs throughout the area have the opportunity to nominate an individual from their town who exemplifies dedication and service to their fellow community members. This year Lion Pedro Mota’s nomination was named Lions International 4C1 Citizen of the Year — Gridley’s Javier Solis.

Solis joined the Lions at the Lions Den on the evening of May 1 to be recognized by the club. Lion Barbara Ott read his nomination letter aloud, which outlined his contributions to his neighbors, including over 30 years of coaching and working with the youth in the community, volunteering his BBQ set up and business for local events, preparing 500 meals for a Special Olympics event and in 2018, organizing over 300 meals for evacuees of the Camp Fire.

Ott described Solis as humble and always willing to be of service. “To paraphrase Javier,” said Ott, “people four to 84 are my priority. If they ask for help or I see they need help, I find a way to help them.”

The 4C1 Lions Citizen of the Year Award covers territory from Sacramento to the Oregon border, and from the coast to the Nevada border, which the Lions Club expressed was quite the honor. Solis’ letter of recommendation will be forwarded on to the state level competition.