City Council honors Dawn Smith as Citizen of Month

Dawn Smith was honored by the Menifee City Council Wednesday as the Outstanding Citizen of the Month.

Dawn Smith, a 43-year resident of Menifee and one of the most active community volunteers in the city, was honored Wednesday by the Menifee City Council as Outstanding Citizen of the Month.

Smith is well known in the community for her efforts as the director of the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, which provides food for those in need. In addition to baskets of groceries given to those visiting the Cupboard in its Sun City location, the Cupboard also provides backpacks full of supplies each weekend for local students in need.

Her involvement extends far beyond the Cupboard, however. Smith was instrumental in the formation of Arts Council Menifee and Menifee Interfaith Council; is past president of the Menifee Rotary Club and past chairman of the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce; and was a part of the effort to incorporate Menifee. She received the Power to the People award from Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez and was named a Woman of Distinction by Senator Mike Morrell.

"I can't think of anyone who works as hard behind the scenes as she does," Mayor Bill Zimmerman said in presenting a plaque to Smith at the City Council meeting.

City Council member Lesa Sobek said Smith "has the biggest heart of anyone I know. This award is way overdue."