Warwick Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer presents Evelyn Card with a proclamation honoring her recognition with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
WARWICK — An energetic capacity audience cheered on five local residents for their positive community involvement during the annual Warwick Citizen of the Year celebration Oct. 21 at The Landmark Inn. All candidates were evaluated and judged from nominations from community members.
Michael Newhard, Village of Warwick Mayor since 2001, was selected as 2026-2027 Citizen of the Year.
One of his nominators wrote, “Mayor Newhard’s sustained leadership, institutional knowledge and commitment to collaboration have earned him widespread respect. Under his guidance, the Village of Warwick has continued to evolve while preserving the character, vitality and sense of place that define the community.”
Donna Benson and Robbie Jacobs were the two recipients of Outstanding Community Service Awards.
A Village of Florida resident, Benson has a long history of service, leadership, generosity and genuine caring for others. She served three terms as Orange County Clerk from 1998 t0 2013.
Jacobs, owner of Back in The Game Consignment in the Village of Florida, has given away sporting goods and thousands of bicycles to children. Robbie says his personal motto is simple: “Make it a kind day.” He believes, “The kindness is worth more than the profit.”
Additionally, two 99-year-old Warwick volunteer legends, Evelyn Card and Donald McFarland, were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The event, sponsored by the Warwick Valley Rotary Club, was co-chaired by Stan Martin, Leo R. Kaytes and Tina Buck. Retired Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton was master of ceremonies for the 19th consecutive year.
Proceeds from the evening are donated to Rotary International’s PolioPlus project to eliminate polio worldwide. Carole Tjoa, PolioPlus chair for the eight-county Mid-Hudson Rotary District, said polio, which killed hundreds of thousands annually 50 years ago, is near extinction thanks to global immunization led by Rotary International and the World Health Organization.
