Peggy Harris Receives Citizen Involvement Award

CPO 15 Chair Peggy Harris is a rare gem in her community and an inspiration to everyone she meets.
The Committee for Community Involvement (CCI) selected Peggy Harris to receive the 2017 Harold M. Haynes Citizen Involvement Award. The award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership engaging members of their community in civic affairs.
Peggy Harris, a retired school teacher, has educated and inspired others to be informed, get involved and take positive action through her many years of energetic volunteering, leadership and cooperative support for CPO 15. Add to that her volunteer efforts with 4-H, the Washington County Fair, local schools and more.
As CPO 15 Chair since 2008, Peggy has been a tireless advocate for the communities of Blooming and Fern Hill, illuminating rural community issues, including connections with urban areas. In addition, she has been an effective advisor for her district's Commissioner and the Board on several issues.
Fellow CPO 15 leader Megan Stenburg comments on Peggy's service:"Peggy has the courage, will, and energy to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Using these qualities, gladly volunteering out of selfless interests, Peggy works to improve quality of life, community safety and health, public spirit and education in the Blooming and Fern Hill communities. I know the positive impact that will be felt for generations in Washington County thanks to her, especially by neighbors, churches, local schools, underprivileged children, immigrants, the larger community—even four-legged friends!In photo, left to right: Kari Herinckx, Megan Stenburg, Peggy Harris |

Accomplishments led or spurred by Peggy in recent years:
Host of National Night Out and Neighborhood Watch events
Champion of improving the Hwy 47 and Elm Street intersection
Provider of a wide variety of informative and educational topics at CPO 15 meetings including public safety, soil and watershed quality and conservation, compelling agricultural topics and local history
Community contributor on Chehalem Ridge Nature Park Master Plan
Co-founder of the annual earthquake preparedness community Quake Up events
Presenter of special-issue CPO forums including Barriers to Rural Broadband Internet Access and Homelessness in Rural Washington County