I’ve told the story before about how I became a volunteer in Edgewater. One day, I answered a knock on my door from a neighbor asking if I’d be interested in serving on a city board, which she chaired. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I applied and was selected. At a recent City Council meeting, several volunteer board members made it a point saying how glad they were they volunteered. I also hear that from people that volunteer in many ways.
Volunteers are such an important part of our special community. Our neighbors step us to coach our youth sports teams, help our seniors, help events happen, serve on boards , commissions and task forces and much more. On Thursday, May 21st many of our volunteers came together for our second annual volunteer celebration. At that event, we announced the 2026 winners of the Pauline York Volunteer of the Year Award! While we recognized all of our volunteers, we gave this special award named after the late Paulin York to Josh Williams & Matt O’Neal. Nominated by Nick Stuth, Edgewater Recreation Coordinator, both Josh and Matt have coached youth soccer every fall and spring season.
They started when the league was about 30 kids and it has grown to be over 200 per season. They have been head coaches of their teams each season. Their commitment is twice/week for practices and once week/games. They also attend pre-season coach’s meetings to offer advice to new coaches. They plan all practices, create game day plans, and work independently. Nick nominated them both, saying “Both coaches have been hugely instrumental in creating a very successful youth soccer program in Edgewater (which is why I can’t just nominate one). They were coaches before I was hired as Coordinator and have consistently gone above and beyond the typical expectations of volunteer coaches.”
According to the nomination, “For Josh & Matt, it’s simply about making it a better experience for the kids. They set aside their egos and always act in the interest of the kids, not only on their team, but in the whole league. They are not only there to support the kids, but their parents, staff, and other volunteer coaches.” Thanks and congratulations Josh Williams & Matt O’Neal!
I want to give special thanks to the members of our Charter Review Task Force. City Council authorized the Task Force to take a deep dive into the Edgewater City Charter, which is basically our Constitution. In the 125 Years Edgewater has been around, there have been various governing documents. Our Charter was written when Edgewater changed our structure to have a City Manager nearly 20 years ago. We’ve done some updates, all of which needed to be approved by voters. The Charter Review Task Force did the most comprehensive review of the Charter we’ve had. They have made recommendations to City Council, who will consider and prioritize them and look at future ballot questions. The process is far from over, but the work of the Task Force has largely wrapped up. They spent much time and energy and I really appreciate their volunteer work. The Task Force members were Larry Welshon (Chair), James Middleton (Vice Chair), Sarah Chaikin, Tyler Fisher, Marci Hladik, Chris Mendez, and Kate Sposato.
A few upcoming events I’m looking forward to: The Edgewater Pride Parade on Saturday, June 6th is part of Pride month in Edgewater. Bike to Work Day (in partnership with the Denver Regional Council of Governments is Wednesday, June 24th, and the Edgewater Hometown Festival is Saturday, September 27th.
Thanks for being a part of Edgewater!
