Phil, Eileen Delaney named chamber citizens of the year

By: PATTI MAGEE - Staff Writer | Monday, January 21, 2008 8:52 PM PST ∞

FALLBROOK -- Phil and Eileen Delaney have been recognized as the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce's Citizens of the Year --- an honor so special that it has been given out only 29 times in the chamber's 62-year history.

The couple received the award during a recognition banquet earlier this month attended by nearly 170 people at the San Luis Rey Officers Club at Camp Pendleton.

Frank Hopkins, who took over as chamber president from Phil Delaney, said it took five pages to list all the Delaneys' accomplishments.

"We honor couples who strive hard for the community and for the betterment of each of us," he said. "I also have been privileged to work with Phil as president-elect."

Among the Delaneys' most recent accomplishments was helping victims of the October wildfires. In that effort, Eileen served as a public information officer and caseworker and assisted with an "After the Ashes" fundraising event. Phil helped establish the Fallbrook Fire Victims Fund with Legacy Endowment for fire victims. In November, his work with a diverse group of community organizations enabled Fallbrook's "After the Ashes" event to go forward. Legacy has already disbursed nearly $100,000 to victims.

Eileen also has served as an elected member of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group since 2001. She is chairwoman the Design Review Board Committee and a member of the circulation and parks and recreation committees. She recently was selected to fill a seat on the I-15 Corridor Design Review Board as well.

She has served for five years on the Fallbrook Fantasy Wedding Committee, which provides a free wedding to a local military couple, and was named California State Senate Woman of the Year in 2003.

Eileen founded Operation United Families in 1999 to benefit members of the military and their families. Each Christmas, the organization provides baskets of food, clothing, toys and gifts to Marine Corps families at Camp Pendleton; offers fresh fruit for Marines returning from deployment; donates candy and treats for Easter celebrations and collects gifts for baby showers for military mothers-to-be.

Eileen was a two-term Fallbrook honorary mayor.

She was chosen by District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to attend the first District Attorney and Sheriff's Department Sheriff's Academy and is a director of the Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation. Eileen has served as a member of the board of directors of Boys & Girls Club, Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, Village Association and the Art & Cultural Center.

"This is an award I share with everyone," she said.

Phil Delaney is the first person to have served twice as president of the chamber in non-consecutive terms -- in 2001 and in 2007.

"Considering that the chamber was founded in 1926, this accomplishment is an indication of Phil's exceptional positive leadership," Hopkins said.

Hopkins said Phil also testified on behalf of Fresh and Easy food stores to persuade the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to permit the store in Fallbrook.

-- Contact staff writer Patti Magee at (760) 731-5797 or pmagee@nctimes.com.

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