ATHOL – The Margaret Grazis Citizen of the Year Award was first awarded in 1995, and in any year since then, Selectboard member Brian Doge said the 2025 recipient could easily have been honored.

“Of course, for the past 15 years this individual was busy serving as an enduring five-term leader on the town’s Selectboard, making him ineligible for that recognition,” said Dodge at Monday’s Town Meeting. “This is probably fitting, as he is known to help all manner of individuals and charitable endeavors without any fanfare or wanting any recognition. Today, that ends.

“Beyond public service on the town’s chief elective board, he has been a stalwart volunteer, assisting those in need of both food and shelter through his work with the Athol Corps of the Salvation Army. He has literally prepared and served thousands and thousands of meals to the community.

“He has also dedicated himself to serving the Athol-Orange Baptist Church and has assisted many senior citizens with tax preparation over the years. He has sought to spread his faith message through his role sponsoring Bible distribution through the Gideons. He has also been willing to step in wherever to plan and prepare a pancake breakfast fundraiser, or to be a cheerleader for such organizations as Food-a-Thon and AOTV.

“It is with great pleasure that I get to announce this year’s Athol Citizen of the Year Award to Mr. Stephen R. Raymond,” Dodge concluded.

After accepting the award, Raymond had a very simple message for those in attendance.

“I would just like to tell people – volunteer,” he said. “I’ve been a volunteer for years and let me tell you, the town needs you. So, volunteer and help out.”

After serving five terms on the Selectboard, Raymond decided early this year not to seek re-election, saying it was time for some new blood on the board, adding that he hoped younger residents would step forward to serve.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.