2007 Citizen of the Year - Joyce Figgs

Delmar's 2007 Citizen of the Year
By Mike McClure
(Article in the Laurel Star newspaper)

For the past 48 years Joyce Figgs has been volunteering her time with the Delmar Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary in an effort to help better the community she has lived in all of her life. On Thursday, November 29 she will be honored as the Delmar Citizen of the Year in a banquet hosted by the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce.

It was quite a surprise. "That was a shock," Figgs said of the honor bestowed upon her by the Chamber of Commerce. "You feel kind of unworthy of it because therešs so many good people that do nice things. But it's quite an honor for them to think that you do."

"It was a big surprise to her," added husband Lacey Figgs. The two have two children, Donald and Kim, and one grandson, Justin, 22.

Joyce was born and raised in Delmar, Delaware and has lived in the town all of her life. The town has changed quite a bit over the years. She remembers growing up with grocery stores and restaurants lined along Pennsylvania Avenue as well as a pair of drugstores located downtown.

Figgs also recalls when she first got involved with the auxiliary 48 years ago. Her sister was involved with the organization and asked her to join.

"I did want to do volunteer work for an organization that would do good for everybody," Figgs said. "I've hoped that over the years I've done things that have helped to better the community."

Figgs said the goal of auxiliary is to help fire company raise funds for equipment in order to serve the community better.

"We're very close. We all work together for the same goal and we all work hard together. It's not just one person, we're pretty tight," said Figgs

In addition to the Delmar Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary, Joyce has also been involved with the county and state auxiliaries, serving as president of the state organization in 2005. "It was great. I met a lot of nice people from all three counties of the state. It was a very nice experience," Figgs said.

Figgs works in accounts payable at the Milford branch of Manlove Auto Parts. She has worked there for the past 14 years after working at Columbia Vending in Delmar for 15 years. She is also an active member of St. George's United Methodist Church.

Joyce is very familiar with the Delmar Citizen of the Year banquet, as the dinner used to be held at the fire hall. This year she will be the honored guest. "I'd like to thank everybody. I'd like to thank the fire company for allowing me to serve them all these years," said Figgs. "It takes a group working together and they are a group that sticks together."

(Article used by permission)

Joyce ~ we, the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce are truely proud to present this award to you this evening. Your contributions to the Delmar Fire Department Auxilary are commendable. We appreciate your hard work, your dedication dedication and your fine leadership of our community!. Congratulations and thank you from the entire Delmar Community.