The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce has selected resident and community advocate Catherine Hillenbrand as recipient of its 2014 Spirit Award. The award recognizes “a Capitol Hill community member who has done outstanding work to benefit the Capitol Hill neighborhood.”

Hillenbrand led the process to organize community priorities in the development of property surrounding the future Capitol Hill Station. Last week, CHS reported the bidding process had opened to become part of the development opportunity on this central stretch of Broadway.

In 2013, the organization honored Kay Rood for her work in shaping Cal Anderson Park.

The 2014 award will presented at the group’s annual Spirit of the Hill dinner slated for February 20th at Fred Wildlife Refuge. The chamber’s announcement of the 2014 selection is below.

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) is pleased to announce that Catherine Hillenbrand is the 2014 Spirit Award recipient. Every year the Chamber presents the Spirit award to a Capitol Hill community member who has done outstanding work to benefit the Capitol Hill neighborhood at their annual State of the Hill social event.

Through her leadership the Champions was created and has brought together the Chamber, the Community Council and myriad other Capitol Hill voices and has earned the community a seat at the table in all future decision making about transit and development on Capitol Hill. Done entirely in volunteer hours, Catherine’s work has brought the community voice to a public project that will define this neighborhood for a century to come. Catherine is a former owner of the Comet, a former publisher of Real Comet Press, a former member of the Seattle Arts Commission, and a currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at Capitol Hill Housing.

According to Michael Wells, Executive Director of CHCC, “Catherine Hillenbrand represents all that the CHCC Spirit Award was meant to honor.  Diligent, forceful, invested as a community member and with enough embedded Capitol Hill history under her belt to make her honorary Mayor of the neighborhood (though we can only humbly offer her our highest Community Award Honor), Cathy’s work represents the best and the brightest in neighborhood community service.  The work she has done in stewarding the development process of the soon to be Capitol Hill light rail station is nothing short of heroic.”

The award will be presented at the Chamber’s annual State of the Hill on February 20, 2014, a social event where the annual report of the Chamber work is given to members along with their plans for 2014. Doors open at 5:00PM and the Chamber presentation will begin at 6:00PM, with performers from the Moisture Festival providing entertainment at 5:30PM and 7:00PM. Food will be provided. Cash bar. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.