When Brentwood’s newest Citizen of the Year got the call from the Chamber of Commerce informing her of the honor, she had no idea how to react. Karen Rarey could only manage, “Oh my God!”

“I’m just blown away,” said the woman who wears many hats within the community. “There are so many deserving people out there. It was just a true honor to be selected.”

Rarey, a 16-year resident of Brentwood, has lent her hands to an array of local causes. For the past three years, Rarey served as the accounting chair of the Brentwood Relay for Life. She joined the effort first as a participant, then became more involved as a dedicated volunteer. As president of the Liberty Union High School District ED Foundation, Rarey has helped raise money for local schools.

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce President Paul Kelly felt that Rarey was a logical and deserving choice for Citizen of the Year. He cited her participation in numerous organizations, her ability to organize events and her attention to detail as major reasons why she was chosen. Rarey has a successful history of planning big celebrations, including a craft and safety fair marking the grand opening of the Highway 4 Bypass in 2002, and taking care of décor for the Brentwood Police Officer’s Ball in 2001.

The honor will be officially bestowed on Rarey at the Chamber of Commerce Installation and Business/Citizen of the Year Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. in Club Los Meganos at Trilogy at The Vineyards. The Brentwood Press will be honored as the Business of the Year at the event. Tickets are $45.

“Obviously, she’s got a very long history of engagement and involvement in a variety of things in the community,” Kelly said. “That set her apart from a great many others.”

Rarey was also a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Brentwood, serving as the group’s president in 2003 and 2007. Through her position as Outreach Specialist at REI in The Streets of Brentwood, Rarey helped facilitate bicycle donations for the Brentwood Regional Community Chest, as well as for the Friends of Oakley after their toy drive was disrupted by thieves.

She has also been a member of several prominent local boards, such as the Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizen's Advisory Commission and Brentwood’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Rarey currently serves as a director for the John Marsh Historic Trust, a role she embraces with pride and affection. “It’s been near and dear to my heart since I moved out here, and I finally had the opportunity to join them,” Rarey said. “It’s such a worthy cause.”

Rarey feels that since East County offers many opportunities for service, it’s only natural to be involved in many causes. While she loves giving her time and talents to a variety of organizations, she especially enjoys helping out children.

“Far East County is a very giving area,” Rarey said. “There’s so much to do and so many people who are out there doing it. You just want to get out there with them – it’s a feel-good type of thing.”

For more information about the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year dinner, call 925-634-3344.