Citrus Heights, CA (MPG) – Each year Stones Gambling Hall in Citrus Heights honors someone in the community for their work toward making the city a better place to live with the “21 Award.”

On Tuesday, March 29, Stones honored long-time resident and councilmember Jeannie Bruins for her body of work for the betterment of the City of Citrus Heights. 

The Stones Gambling Hall “21 Award” is presented to a member of the community who has shown exemplary commitment and dedication to the advancement of the City of Citrus Heights, a history of leadership and demonstrated a passion for making a difference.

“The most important accomplishment for me was the development of the Sayonara Center,” Bruins said about her many accomplishments.

The event was attended by many of her friends in the community, local officials and business leaders. Her son and two grandsons were also present. Bruins went on to explain how her political career started.

“I decided to run in 2002 not expecting to win. But by God’s grace, I was elected,” she said.

The community is a better place because of that election. Bruins was first elected to the Citrus Heights City Council in 2002 and has been re-elected in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. She served as Mayor in 2006, 2011, 2018 and 2019.

Over the years, Bruins has served in the Citrus Heights Incorporation Project Board of Directors, City of Citrus Heights City Council and CEO of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce. She has also served with the Citrus Heights Community Garden, Citrus Heights Children and Youth Center, Citrus Heights Police Activities League and Rotary Club of Citrus Heights. Bruins is currently active at Sunrise Community Church where she volunteers for adults with special needs, with their children’s programs and sings in the choir.

Bruins has also served on the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and the Sacramento Area Sewer District since 2003. During her term she facilitated an upgrade of the private sewer system for Chapel View, a Citrus Heights neighborhood. She has been a strong supporter of the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band and led them to incorporate as a nonprofit, which helped secure their financial future and continued community service.

Bruins closed with a comment of thanks, saying, “God bless you all for coming. God bless Citrus Heights and God bless America.”

This year’s award was the sixth given. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Stones Gambling Hall postponed the event in 2021.