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By Kate Daly
Special to The Almanac

Longtime Woodside resident and philanthropist Frances Geballe is this year's recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.

Each year the Woodside School District's PTA asks the community to nominate people who embody the spirit of giving, and Ms. Geballe, with more than 30 years of volunteer service to the school, came out the clear winner.

The award was announced at the Woodside May Day festivities on Saturday, May 1.

Ms. Geballe and her husband Ted moved to Woodside in 1969. Their children and grandchildren attended Woodside School. Ever since then she has volunteered in many classrooms, focusing mainly on literature and the arts.

Retired teacher Linda McCahon says during the 22 years she taught third-graders in Woodside, Ms. Geballe came in four times a week to read with them. Ms. Geballe still meets with third-graders three times a week, and has volunteered at schools in Redwood City and East Palo Alto, as well.

When asked about all the help she has provided hundreds of students over the years, Ms. Geballe grinned and beamed, saying, "I've just loved it!"

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