Former Youngstowner named Citizen of the Year

SANDPOINT, Idaho — Lois Hawkins Miller, a former Youngstown resident, has been named Sandpoint’s Citizen of the Year for 2008 for her service to a facility that helps more than ninety people who have disabilities.

The project was conceived by a Circle of Friends, of which Miller is a member, and with the sum of $100, the group began its mission to remodel the Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., facility. Through Miller’s efforts, the community worked together, and after two years, $80,000 was raised.

With the help of a makeover by a Spokane, Wash, TV station, a beautiful facility has resulted for training individuals with special needs.

Miller has worked with the developmentally disabled population for more than thirty years. She was also honored to receive the Community Star award in 2007.

Miller is a 1945 graduate of The Rayen School. She still maintains friendships in the Youngstown area, the most active with a group that began the “Wagoms” in their senior year of high school.

Miller and her husband, Don Spratt, live in LaClede, Idaho, a village just outside Sandpoint.