Citizen of year winner is stellar volunteer

Ray Faubion is the new Citizen of the Year voted on by members of the community and the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

The honor comes just a couple of years after he presided over the chamber and vowed to give back to the community any way he could.

“My parents, Ray and Jeannine, were both active volunteers with many organizations while I was growing up. I think their example ... has given me the direction to become involved,” said Faubion, 47, who has lived in Lee County since the age of 2.

He received the Citizen of the Year award at the Annual Chairman’s Gala at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa last Saturday but didn’t believe his name had been called until his wife, Jeanne, leaped out of her chair.

“I was in shock and I had to look over at my wife to see if I had heard correctly that they said my name. She jumped and I was totally shocked,” he said after having heard his own accomplishments announced prior to his name being called. “I absolutely wasn’t expecting it and when they were reading everything off I was wondering who they were talking about.”

But it was Faubion they were talking about and his accolades sounded impressive, even to him.

He has been a member of the Kiwanis club for 10 years, has been involved with Relay for Life, the United Way, the Bonita Springs YMCA and has worked with the Boy Scouts of America as a Den Leader, Committee Chair and Scoutmaster.

Faubion admits that he keeps a busy schedule between volunteering and raising his three sons, Addison, Collier and Hunter. But there is always time to do more. He and his wife recently gained a “daughter” in an exchange student from Switzerland whose name is Maria, 17.

“She is practically my daughter and will be here for at least a year, and possibly longer,” said Faubion, who credits his family with his success because they support him.

Faubion also works full-time as an insurance agent but in his down time enjoys spending time with his family, camping in their RV and being a Miami Dolphins fan.

“I’m just so proud of him. I can’t believe they picked him,” said Jeanne, shortly after seeing her husband on stage receiving a standing ovation from chamber members. “I’m so touched for him.”

The selection process for the award includes a nomination process which is coordinated in a joint effort through The News-Press and the Naples Daily News.

Readers submit nomination forms that are then reviewed by a committee and a winner is selected and announced at the gala.

“I’m at a loss for words still and I keep pinching myself to see if it’s real,” Faubion said. “It’s very humbling and it’s the best award I’ve ever received.”