The “Community Builder Award” is an award the District presents to local individuals, businesses, and organizations for their volunteer service, sponsorship, promotion of programs and events, outstanding service in the interest of the District, and for other contributions significant to McKinleyville’s quality of life. District Staff has identified Charlie Caldwell as a worthy recipient of the award for 2021 for his dedication to serving and supporting the community.

Charlie has been a champion for the development of a skatepark in McKinleyville for over 20 years. As a skatepark champion, Charlie has dedicated countless hours writing grants, doing community outreach, fundraising and hosting skate ramps at various community events, always encouraging more people to learn and enjoy skate boarding.

He has been a valued member of the Park & Recreation Committee (PARC), since April of 2012. Charlie actively participates in promoting and supporting all of the recreation opportunities available to the community. He is also a member of the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, where again, he donates his free time and skills in service to the good of the community. You will see Charlie watering flowerpots along Central Ave. in the spring and summer, setting up skate ramps at Music in the Park, Pony Express Days Festival and World Wide Day of Play, and also putting up the Christmas Tree of Lights at the Safeway Shopping Center.

Charlie is driven to provide positive opportunities for youth and families in the community. He loves outdoor opportunities available to community here and the heart of the people who work to bring out the best of those opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Charlie is excited about the coming developments of the community forest and the BMX track and park projects and looks forward to seeing the skatepark at Pierson Park come to fruition as well.

It has been a great pleasure getting to know and work with Charlie over the last many years. His effort and willingness to support projects in service to the health and well being of the community are testament to his role as a “Community Builder.”

Previous Recipients:

December 2020 - Hooven & Co., Inc. 

February 2019 - Kelly Miller and Christine Willfong

June 2018 - Rosemary Freret

January 2018 - Sheriff’s Citizens on Patrol (SCOP)

January 2017 - Aaron Ostrom

January 2016 - Humboldt County 5th District Supervisor, Ryan Sundberg

December 2014 - Humboldt Area Foundation

March 2013 - Humboldt Regional Occupational Program

February 2013 - Norman Shopay

January 2013 - Northern Humboldt Employment Services

July 2011 - McKinleyville Land Trust

May 2011 - McKinleyville Press

November 2010 - John Kulstad

October 2010 - Friends of the McKinleyville Library

September 2010 - Humboldt County CalWORKS Welfare-to-Work Department

August 2010 - Kiwanis Club of McKinleyville

July 2010 - Coast Central Credit Union