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Mission Viejo honors city and public‑safety employees; highlights community fundraisers and volunteers
Summary
The council recognized the city’s 2024 Employee of the Year, OCFA and Sheriff's Department honorees, and presented a proclamation to TIP volunteers; staff also summarized Conrad Ruhlin fundraising events benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters and wheelchair tennis programming.
The Mission Viejo City Council opened its Jan. 28 meeting with multiple community recognitions.
City Manager Elaine Lister and HR staff introduced Sherry Merrifield as the city’s 2024 Employee of the Year, describing an employee‑driven nomination process and presenting a certificate. Anne Figueroa, representing Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, and other local representatives offered congratulations.
The council also recognized Orange County Fire Authority employee Jaime Martinez as OCFA’s Mission Viejo employee of the year; Battalion Chief Levi Medina and OCFA representatives praised Martinez’s decade of service and instruction work. The city presented an OCFA proclamation and plaque.
Deputy Christopher Chung was honored as the Mission Viejo Police Services 2024 deputy of the year for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant Principal Mike Zeitz and sheriff’s representatives described Chung’s role as a school resource officer and his promotion to a new assignment.
Community Services staff presented plans for the fifth annual Conrad Ruhlin fundraising tournaments (tennis and pickleball) and a kickoff dinner on March 7; last year’s fundraising generated nearly $60,000 across live and silent auctions, supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern California, the Lisa Colagraci Foundation for Brain Aneurysms, and a wheelchair tennis program.
The council also presented a proclamation recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), which provides volunteer crisis‑scene support to families after suicides, homicides, overdoses and other traumatic incidents.
These recognitions were ceremonial; no formal policy actions were taken as part of the presentations.
