Many things that should have happened in 2020 got put on hold due to COVID, and well into 2021 we’re trying to get back to some semblance of order and play catch up. That’s what the Riverside Township Lions Club is doing to recognize the Riverside’s Person of the Year for 2020.

Last year, Riverside Foods’ Peter Boutsikakis was named Person of the Year and was to have been honored at a dinner at the Riverside Golf Club. Obviously, it couldn’t happen, so Peter has kept his “title” and will be honored on Sept. 23. 

Boutsikakis joins a long list of business people, especially during the early years of the award, named Person of the Year. While most of those early winners were men, the list soon included women and two couples, Lloyd and Dorothy Unger and Lew and Martha Heine. Only one organization, the Riverside Junior Women’s Charity, has been named to the list.

The Lions Club seeks nominations throughout the year, and its next Person of the Year will be announced in 2022.

Honorees are chosen by a committee from the membership of the Lions Club who review nominations. It was an easy choice when Peter Boutsikakis was nominated many times. 

Boutsikakis, recently married and now a Riverside resident, is more familiar as co-proprietor of Riverside Foods. Aside from running a business that serves our basic needs, he goes a step further in trying to provide items that are requested. He is supportive of the community and is generous where there is a need. Most recently he assisted James Long as he worked towards receiving his Eagle Scout award. 

The dinner will be held on Sept. 23 at the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside with cocktails (cash bar) at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $48 and can be purchase at Aunt Diana’s, Riverside Bank and the Riverside Public Library beginning next week until Sept. 17. Questions? Call 708 447-5219. Information can also be viewed on Facebook. COVID protocols will be observed in keeping with state and local guidelines.

It’s never too late to honor someone like Peter Boutsikakis for Person of the Year 2020 even if it is the year 2021. Congratulations to a worthy recipient.