Dee Sasse won big at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards when she was named the Citizen of the Year on Wednesday.  

“After serving the country during a 22-year military career, this year’s recipient came home to Post Falls and continued to serve the community,” Emcee Mark Woodworth said. “The depth and breadth of that community involvement include children, youth, disabled veterans and everyone in between.”  

The Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn hosted about 170 guests during the 35th Community Recognition reception.  

Sasse, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Idaho American Legion Department Commander, said she was grateful to call North Idaho her home.  

“I’ll keep striving to help veterans and our community,” Sasse said, acknowledging members of Post Falls Legion Post 143 and Rathdrum American Legion Post 154.

She urged others to help veterans by contributing to Newby-ginnings of North Idaho.

"Our children and youth need support, your support," Sasse said. "That’s what all the American Legions and all of the veteran organizations in our community do."  

Nominees for Citizen of the Year included Amy Bartoo, Cindy Jordan, Dena Naccarato, Mark Woodworth and Pete Holley.  

Naccarato, Post Falls School superintendent, won the Chamber’s Significant Impact Award instead for exceptional contributions. 

Naccarato dedicated the award to everyone working in the Post Falls School District. 

“They work hard every single day to make sure our kids have the most amazing experience they can, so this belongs to them,” Naccarato said. 

Sysco Food Services won the Business of the Year Award as a larger business with more than 50 employees for making an impact through generosity and service. 

Woodworth said nearly 600 families were helped through mobile food markets in 2025, highlighting both the need and how Sysco rose to the occasion. 

LaRiviere Inc. was also nominated for the award. 

Kassi Allen accepted awards on behalf of both the Red and Blue Foundation (Spirit of Post Falls Award winner) and Anchored Coffee Company (Small Business of the Year Award) for their drive to help first responders in the wake of the Canfield Mountain incident. 

Spirit of Post Falls nominees included: Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, Kootenai County Classical Academy, Make-A-Wish North Idaho, Post Falls Police Department, and the Steven H. Nipp American Legion Post 143.  

Small Business of the Year nominees included Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Post Falls, ROJO Ink and Skepsis Legal Solutions.     

This year’s Volunteer of the Year recipient FaceTimed into the event from a plane as Tonya Myers held up a phone with her husband, Larry Myers, to accept the award on his behalf.  

Volunteer of the Year nominees included Carter Casidy, Kassi Allen and Madison John.   

Molli Nixon, Incoming executive director of the 3rd Avenue Marketplace, honored Linda Fox as the organization's Volunteer of the Year and Super 1 Foods as the Business of the Year.

Since 2018, Fox dedicated over 3,100 hours to 3rd Avenue Marketplace, including 497 hours in 2025.

Super 1 Post Falls donates food and provides discounts that help the marketplace stretch every dollar and assist every year for the 3rd Avenue Marketplace's Christmas in July fundraiser.

    Chamber President and CEO Christina Petit, Post Falls School Superintendent Dena Naccarato and Mark Woodworth.
  

    Kassi Allen accepted community awards on behalf of both the Red and Blue Foundation (Spirit of Post Falls Award winner) and Anchored Coffee Company (Small Business of the Year Award winner) for their drive to help the community and first responders in the wake of the Canfield Mountain incident. Also pictured: Chamber President and CEO Christina Petit and Emcee Mark Woodworth.
  

    Tonya Myers accepts Larry Myers' Volunteer of the Award on his behalf since he was on a plane during the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Recognition event on Wednesday. Also pictured: Chamber President and CEO Christina Petit and Mark Woodworth.
  

    Incoming Executive Director of the 3rd Avenue Marketplace, Molli Nixon, honored Linda Fox as the organization's Volunteer of the Year Wednesday. The marketplace also recognized Super 1 Foods as the Business of the Year.
  

    Justin Phillips accepts the Business of the Year award for Sysco Food Services from Chamber President and CEO Christina Petit and Mark Woodworth.
  

    Incoming Executive Director Molli Nixon gives Super 1 representative Tabatha Jackson the Business of the Year Award for the 3rd Avenue Marketplace.