Rotary names super volunteer Citizen of Year

Courtesy Photo

Rotarians Tanya Colee, Carl Cantrelle and Greg Lier pose with Citizen of the Year Audrey Raziano (holding plaque).

Anyone who has volunteered in St. Charles Parish has probably met Audrey Raziano. Each year she spends thousands of hours volunteering to help dozens of causes – from education and financial assistance to cancer research.

And thanks to her hard work and dedication to helping others, Raziano can now add the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year award to her list of achievements.

"She is well deserving of this award," said Tanya Colee, Rotary Club president. "Audrey has just done so much for the community…she’s an amazing person, always helping out in any way she can.

"If you ask Audrey for help, she says yes. Anyone that knows her knows that about her."

Raziano said she was very surprised and honored to have been chosen.

"It really meant a lot to me – it’s a prestigious award," she said.

Raziano said that all of the time she has spent helping others is worth it when she sees the impact she has had on peoples’ lives.

"You don’t realize the lives you touch while you’re (volunteering) until some point down the road…what really brought it out the most for me was Relay for Life," Raziano said. "You’re out there hoping you’re raising money so you’ll see more survivors and know that you’re making a dent in the fight against cancer.

"Each year, you go to the survivor’s dinner and you see the same faces over and over…and it hits you – you’re making a difference, you’re saving a life. It’s an awesome feeling."

Audrey volunteers all over the parish, including at J.B. Martin Middle School as a mentor, Luling Volunteer Fire Department, the finance committee of St. Mark Catholic Church, Junior Achievement at R.J. Vial Elementary, Holy Family Catholic Church as a lector and St. Charles Economic Council. She also organizes the St. Charles Fireman’s Association Golf Tournament, Relay for Life and Fishing for Frankie tournament in honor of her late brother.

Raziano said that anybody can get involved in the community like she is.

"No matter how small your involvement – whether it’s an hour a month, an hour a year or one event – nothing is too minute that it doesn’t make a difference," she said.