Goodyear Police Department volunteer Susan Sweeden and Abrazo West Campus have been named 2020 Citizen of the Year and Corporate Citizen of the Year.

Chosen by Mayor Georgia Lord, both were formally recognized during the City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Jan. 25.

Citizen of the Year

Ms. Sweeden, a 20-year resident, was honored for her work with the Volunteer in Police Service and You Are Not Alone programs, as well as her assistance with records, recruitment and support services.

“It’s just been a real pleasure helping out and also saving money for Goodyear,” said the retired city of Phoenix and telephone company employee. “I’ve got skills that I can offer, and why not give it back to the city of Goodyear where I live and where I enjoy working.”

Ms. Sweeden received the Gold Volunteer Award for logging more than 800 volunteer hours with the city, assisting the police department with background checks and fingerprinting, entering traffic citations and performing front-desk duties.

She has also assisted with the city’s Shop with a Cop and Coffee with a Cop programs.

Ms. Sweeden has continued to volunteer with the city from her home office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“She’s saved me countless hours,” background investigator Leslie Young said in a video screened during the meeting. “Nobody can compare to what she’s helped me with.”

Ms. Sweeden, who brought several members of her family to the meeting, told the mayor and council the honor was unexpected.

“I’ve had so much fun working for the city of Goodyear as a volunteer,” she said. “It’s a blast, so any time someone needs a volunteer, my hand goes up.”

“We thank you so much for your volunteerism,” Mayor Lord responded.

Corporate Citizen of the Year

Abrazo West Campus, 13677 W. McDowell Road, was named corporate citizen for its contributions to the community and for the tireless efforts of the Abrazo doctors, nurses, administrators and staff in helping those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a specific type of commitment that you have to have as a frontline health care worker. There’s a fearlessness and a selflessness that you’re able to focus on what the patient needs at the moment, and I’ve seen every member of our team step up in that way,” said Christina Oh, Abrazo West Campus CEO, in a video screened during the meeting.

The hospital and staff have been committed to providing care not only to COVID patients, but meeting people’s other health care needs, she said.

“What I’m really pleased about is that, despite COVID, despite the fact that we all know we’re in a current crisis, everybody is looking toward the future, and because of what we’ve been through together, the resilience and the teamwork that we’ve been able to lean upon, that future looks a lot brighter,” Ms. Oh said.

A proclamation read by Mayor Lord honoring Abrazo West noted that Goodyear Fire Department transported more than 3,200 patients to the hospital during 2020. In addition to its many health programs, the campus serves as a major COVID-19 vaccination site for the region.

READ: Abrazo West Campus earn Primary Plus Stroke Center certification

Ms. Oh thanked the city, its fire and police departments, and staff for partnering with Abrazo West and its health care team.

“It’s inspiring to see their teamwork in action and how they’ve carried their community on their shoulders for the past year,” she said.