Evelyn Englert didn't believe she could be Colleyville's Citizen of the Year.

In fact, when told she was nominated for the award, she asked to have her name taken out of the running.

"To be a nominee was in itself an honor," she said.

The Long Island, N.Y., native moved to Colleyville in July 1999. She started volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce soon after that.

"I saw an ad in the chamber's newsletter for volunteers, and I went in the next day. It was the best thing I ever did."

Mrs. Englert started out answering phones but quickly moved up to setting up golf tournaments and co-chairing luncheons.

"The chamber was a great way for me to meet new people," she said.

Mrs. Englert has spent eight years volunteering with the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce.

"She's fantastic," chamber president Ret Stansberger said.

A few years ago Mrs. Englert helped establish a fundraiser to help injured veterans with their transition back to civilian life.

"The fundraiser was very humbling," said Mrs. Englert, recalling one man from an event at Grapevine Lake who had suffered a serious head injury and lost a leg in the war.

"He and his wife never had a formal wedding, so we [the Chamber] put a whole package together. We gave them a wedding, and American Airlines provided the airfare and hotel in Paradise Cove in Hawaii for a week."

Ms. Stansberger expressed her gratitude for Mrs. Englert and all of her hard work with the chamber.

"She is highly respected around the community," Ms. Stansberger said. "We are thrilled to have her."

Matt Keyser is a Euless freelance writer.