The following is a press release issued by the RNR Chamber of Commerce 

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor Jacquie Carson, CEO of Sanborn Place, Home Care and Day Services, as their Reading Outstanding Citizen of the Year at an awards dinner at the Hillview Country Club in North Reading on March 28.

“We are very proud to have selected Jacquie Carson as our Outstanding Citizen representing Reading this year. Her contributions are numerous and it gives us great pleasure to publicly recognize her for her achievements and contributions to our communities,” said Pat Lee, President of the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce. 

Devoted to her job, community, the residents and families of Sanborn and the surrounding communities, Carson is a tireless advocate for their needs. Carson was responsible for securing funding from an Assisted Living Conversion Program $2.77 million grant that allowed for renovations of Sanborn Place. Carson is now working to secure funds for its expansion.  Carson’s other noteworthy accomplishments include serving on the LeadingAge National Housing & Services Steering Committee, Future Consumer Cabinet and the Board of Trustees for LeadingAge Massachusetts from 2008-2011.

Carson is very involved in the Reading community. She is an active member of the Reading Rotary Club and a current board member. She also has served as president of the Reading Rotary Club and served on the Auction Committee, as well as one of the founding Rotarians for the Interact Rotary Youth Club. Carson is also on the Board of Directors for the Burbank YMCA, where she has served for several years. In addition, she is a member of the Reading Street Faire Committee, Taste of Metro North Committee, Reading’s Adopt-a-Family Program and the David K. Johnson Golf Tournament Committee, a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and is also an involved member in the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce, Wakefield Chamber of Commerce and Stoneham Chamber of Commerce, where she participates in many events and fundraisers to support many local charities, including EMARC, Samantha’s Harvest, Pep’s Peddlers—MS Ride, Reading Drama Club, Reading Girl Scouts, Reading Educational Foundation, Reading Food Pantry, Creative Arts, Stoneham Theatre, VNA, Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Buy Local initiative among others. 

Carson lives in Reading with her husband, Brian, and much of their time is spent supporting various committees and organizations in the Reading and North Reading areas. 

“She is passionate about helping families care for their aging elders. Her involvement with so many organizations is not for personal gain, but to help others in need. She is an innovator and a visionary, and she is not afraid of a challenge or hard work,” commented Lori Foley, Associate Director of Finance, Development and HR for Sanborn Place, Home Care and Day Services. “She is known throughout the community as the go-to person for senior housing and services. She is always willing to help whenever needed and that is what makes her deserving of this award.”

The Chamber has also selected Kathleen Walsh, VP of Development, for the YMCA of Metro North, as their Outstanding Citizen from North Reading. Carson will be honored along with Walsh at the awards dinner in March. 

The Chamber invites anyone interested in attending the awards dinner to contact Irene Collins, Executive Director, at 978-664-5060 or email RNRChambercom@aol.com.  Tickets for the dinner are $65 per person and include a choice of entree, dessert and coffee. Cocktails begin at 5:30 pm with dinner and ceremony to follow.  

The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1989 and merged with the North Reading Business Association to form the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce in January 2000. The Chamber has nearly 300 members and provides them with networking, educational and promotional opportunities.  The Chamber is dedicated to its members’ success and encourages participation in Chamber programs and events. For further information or to become a member visit the Chamber website www.readingnreadingchamber.org.