Jack Dreessen is congratulated Tuesday, Jan. 11, after being named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by Arlene Hughes, center, and her sister, Barbara Behrens, who were Citizens of the Year in 2008. STAFF PHOTO BY MURRAY JUDSON The 2010 Citizen of the Year is probably most familiar to patrons of the Port Aransas Community Theater, but the time and talents of Jack Dreessen also have been shared with the Art Center for the Island, Keep Port Aransas Beautiful, Community Presbyterian Church, the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association and the Port Aransas Museum.

Dreessen was named Citizen of the Year during the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau’s annual luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the Civic Center.

Members of his family were snowbound and unable to get out of their driveways to attend the presentation, according to presenter Charlie Zahn.

In accepting the award, Dreesseen said, “I got out of that driveway over eight years ago . . . this is home!”

Jack Dreessen, right, is presented the Citizen of the Year Award during the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau’s annual luncheon held at the Civic Center. STAFF PHOTO BY MURRAY JUDSON The award, Dreesseen said, was “unexpected” and will not deter him from continuing the activities he is involved in that help make Port Aransas a better place.

In addition to performing in numerous plays and musicals presented by PACT, Dreessen has served on the nonprofit organization’s board of directors and as treasurer, and he handles the purchasing for the concession and stage needs. When he’s not performing, he is often taking tickets at the box office.

An active member of the Art Center for the Islands, he has served on the board of directors. He mans the front desk of the center on a regular basis and is usually the one to greet everyone who arrives at the First Friday artist receptions – in his trademark attire of shorts, sandals and tropical shirt. He also exhibits his pho- tography at the center.

Jack Dreessen, 2010 Citizen of the Year, was selected for his dedication to a variety of nonprofit organizations. Clockwise from top left, Dreessen tells some of the history of Port Aransas as a docent for the Port Aransas Museum. A regular on the Port Aransas Community Theater stage, Dreeseen poses for a promotional photo for ‘Cheatin’ in March 2010. Dreessen was on hand to help distribute food collected by PACT volunteers to the Port Aransas Helping Hands Food Pantry in December 2009. As a member of Keep Port Aransas Beautiful, he has served as a member of the board of directors and has been its treasurer. He also served as a volunteer coordinator for the annual Beach Cleanup sponsored by the Texas General Land Office.

Dreessen also is a member of the Community Presbyterian Church choir and often is a featured soloist during the annual Christmas cantata and “Fun Night.”

He is a volunteer for the annual Port Aransas Sand and Surf Beach Run that provides financial support for various youth and Winter Texan ministries of the church.

Although he is not a member of the Rotary Club or the Port Aransas Boatmen, he is a regular volunteer with the Rotary Club’s Shrimp Boil and the Boatmen’s shrimp boil that kicks off the Deep Sea Roundup.

Dreessen is a regular participant in the Port Aransas Relay For Life as a performer and member of a team to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer.

A member of the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association, Dreessen volunteers as a docent at the Port Aransas Museum, which is operated by PAPHA.

The Citizen of the Year award recognizes individuals for past and current service in several aspects of the community.

Criteria for the award requires that nominees have long records of giving back to the community without expectation of personal or professional gain, and their contributions must have broad impact on the community rather than be focused on one cause or organization. The award is not intended to recognize an individual for a single accomplishment.

Previous recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award are, starting in 1991, Dale Bietendorf, the late Lillian Graham, Mark Creighton, Una Farley, the late J.C. and Wanda Barr, Georgia Neblett, Mike Hall, the late Barbara Sheppard, John Thompson, the city’s first responders in 2001, George Horner, Pam Greene, Betty Crawford, Charlie and Linda Zahn, Richard Safford, Chuck Borders, Barbara Behrens and Arlene Hughes and in 2009,