Dining on wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, Alaska, a crowd of more than 100 honored the 2011 Citizens of the Year Norm and Carol Abrahamson and Outstanding Citizens, Brad Brotherton, Brian Larson and Lynn Peretti.

Each in their own way has contributed time, talents and money to make Renton a better place to live.

“Volunteering is a way for me to give back,” said Carol Abrahamson. She and Norm arrived in Renton in 1958, not knowing anyone. They received a warm welcome, she said.

Mayor Denis Law welcomed the honorees and those honoring them to the annual event that in Law’s words celebrates the city’s volunteers.

The Abrahamsons were introduced last, by Sonja Mejlaender, the City of Renton’s community relations and events coordinator. She chronicled the Abrahamsons’ extensive community involvement in a wide range of Renton events and activities. Carol Abrahamson spent countless hours as a school volunteer.

They are fixtures at the IKEA Renton River Days, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank. Norm Abrahamson is the one to call if something needs fixing or built. Together, they went to New Orleans to help in Katrina relief efforts.

They are the perfect example, Mejlaender said, of “the sum being greater than the parts.”

Amid multiple thank-yous, Norm Abrahamson said the award was “unbelievable.”

Peggy Miller, organizer of the Miss Washington Pageant, introduced Brad Brotherton, who is the prime sponsor of the pageant in Renton. He has lent his time and financial support to the Renton River Days, Return to Renton Car Show, the Renton Heart Month. He contributed the money for a large screen at the IKEA Performing Arts Center that allowed for the showing of the films presented by the Seattle International Film Festival.

Brotherton, the owner of Brotherton Cadillac, Buick and GMC, said it was nice to be recognized “for doing what you love to do.”

Jim Medzegian introduced fellow retired Boeing engineer Brian Larson, whose long list of community involvement includes the Piazza Renton group, the Renton Farmers Market and the Return to Renton Car Show, which has raised about $150,000 for the Renton Police Department youth fund.

The “great honor,” he said, “came out of the blue.”

But, he said, “I guess I have something to live up to now.”

There was some good-natured ribbing doing the evening between Lions and Rotarians in the crowd.

Lynn Peretti, last year’s president of the Renton Lions Club, was recognized for her work with the club, the Salvation Army Food Bank, Renton River Days pancake breakfast, the Humane Society and the Renton Clothes Bank.

In introducing Peretti, Rodger Richert joked, “Where Lynn goes, you lose your clothes.”

Dinner was prepared by Don Persson and Larry Sleeth; the Renton Youth Council provided table service. Aaron Buckner provided entertainment on the piano.

Sabrina Mirante, the chief operating officer of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, said the salmon was shipped in by Peter Pan Seafood. She said that using the Bristol Bay salmon helps bring attention to efforts to protect Bristol Bay.

The 2011 Citizens of the Year recognition is sponsored by the City of Renton, the Rotary Club of Renton and the Renton Chamber of Commerce.