The 2008 Citizen of the Year Norma Cugini has deep roots in Renton.

Her great-grandfather, Thomas Rowe, came to Renton from Cornwall, England, in 1903 or 1904. He worked in Renton’s coal mines. The grandparents of Cugini’s husband Alex came to Renton in 1900 from Italy. His grandfather worked in a brick-making factory. Norma and Alex were both born in Renton. They met at Renton High, married and moved to their home on Renton Hill, where they’ve lived 53 years. Alex’s side of the family had a lumber business, and then ran Barbee Mill sawmill. The Cugini’s son Robert is the third generation of Renton High graduates. The Cuginis also have two daughters and two grandchildren.

So Norma Cugini has deep Renton roots. And during her 80 years she has extended those Renton roots into many of the city’s charitable organizations.

“I haven’t missed too many,” Cugini says.

Cugini’s volunteerism began after her children started school. She helped launch many Renton organizations, including the Downtown Renton Association and King County Sexual Assault Center. Cugini was the first co-chair of the Renton Annual Art Show. She was also co-chair of the capital campaign to construct the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank and Service Center. And she was one of the original volunteers for the Renton Farmers Market.

The Cuginis created a business scholarship at Renton Technical College in memory of Alex’s mother. Cugini has also served on the board of directors for Renton Salvation Army Advisory Board, Renton Civil Service Commission and Seattle organizations Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera.

Cugini was also one of the founding directors and later president and chairman of Renton Community Bank. She was also on the board of directors for West One Bank.

Even at 80, Cugini remains active on the board of directors for the Renton Community Foundation. She plays a key role in the foundation’s annual Circle of Giving campaign. She also makes regular donations to many organizations.

Even with all her philanthropy, Cugini was “very much surprised” to be named Citizen of the Year.

“I think it was four or five years ago that I was ‘Outstanding Citizen,’ so I didn’t think this would ever happen,” she says.

But Cugini says she’s “honored” to be chosen.

“It’s a wonderful thing to have happen,” she says. “It makes all of those kind of tough days that existed, it makes them worthwhile.”

Cugini credits her husband Alex with spurring her community involvement.

“He always encouraged me,” she says. “He was the one to say, ‘You can do that’.”

But Cugini’s decision to volunteer was never difficult.

“I saw a need,” she says. “I hate to see children in poverty. There’s so many things wrong with the world, if you just start at the local level and try to do a little bit, you can do an awful lot to help.”

Banquet Oct. 23 to honor

Renton’s 2008 top citizens

The City of Renton, Renton Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Renton honors one Citizen of the Year and two Outstanding Citizens each year.

Winners are nominated, and then chosen by a committee made up of representatives from the sponsoring organizations and past Citizen of the Year award winners.

This year’s Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Citizens will be honored at the annual Citizen of the Year banquet Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. at Renton Technical College. Tickets are $30 per person. Reservations can be made at www.GoRenton.com or by calling the Renton Chamber of Commerce at 425-226-4560. Reservations are requested by Oct. 17.