Mono County Board of Supervisors Honors Carolyn Balliet with Sixth Annual Community Spirit Award

BRIDGEPORT, CA (January 28, 2026) - The Mono County Board of Supervisors is proud to announce Carolyn Balliet as the recipient of the 2025 Mono County Community Spirit Award. Now in its sixth year, the award was presented to Balliet during the Board of Supervisors meeting on January 20, 2026, in recognition of her decades of selfless service, extraordinary compassion, and tireless dedication to the residents of Mono County.

Established to recognize individuals whose generosity of spirit strengthens the fabric of the community, the Community Spirit Award highlights those who work quietly to improve the lives of their neighbors. Since making Mono County her home in 1994, Balliet has embodied this ethos, impacting countless lives through diverse volunteer efforts ranging from healthcare to food security.

"Carolyn Balliet has exemplified the values of our community through a lifetime of service," the Board stated in the official proclamation. "She has provided steadfast leadership and support, bringing comfort and dignity to residents during life's most difficult moments."

Balliet's contributions to the region are vast and varied. Notable achievements recognized by the Board include:

• Healthcare and Hospice: Balliet established the first volunteer Hospice program in Mono County. She also served as the County's first Foster Parent specializing in caring for troubled teens and came out of retirement to staff dozens of COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
• Food Security: In 2016, Balliet founded the "Feed the Needy" program. Known for personally collecting and distributing donated food-often in her overfilled Subaru-she continues to drive these efforts today. She has also served as a volunteer and organizer for the Salvation Army and prepared monthly meals for Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District volunteers.
• Support for Youth and Families: Since 2010, Balliet has overseen the "Giving Tree" program, ensuring hundreds of less-fortunate children receive gifts during the holidays. She has also supported local youth through the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (PACT) program.
• Community Leadership: A hands-on volunteer, Balliet served on the Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA) Board for over 14 years, helping navigate the organization through financial difficulties.

Beyond her organizational roles, Balliet is known locally for her personal acts of kindness, including adopting senior dogs, volunteering at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Cast-Off, and assisting neighbors with transportation and groceries.

The Mono County Board of Supervisors congratulates Carolyn Balliet and thanks her for her enduring commitment to making Mono County a better place for all.

-###-