SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Supervisor Susan Peters’ recent retirement has enabled a windfall for two District 3 non-profits. Community groups gave generously to support a secretly-hatched appreciation for the Supervisor’s 16 years of County service.  With two weeks left in office, she got the surprise of a lifetime when opening a December issue of the Carmichael Times.  Her own face beamed larger-than-life in a full page ad, embellished with the legend: “For 16 Years of Devoted Service to Sacramento County, District 3 Thanks Supervisor Susan Peters.” The tribute also honored her Chief of Staff Howard Schmidt, who retired from 16 years with the County.

Published simultaneously in The American River Messenger, the two Messenger Publishing Group editions reached many thousands of District 3 constituents. If readers were dazzled by the uber-portrait, the lady herself was blindsided. “I came home to find the newspapers and a bouquet had been left on my doorstep,” she reports. “I burst into tears. It was really nice of all these people to donate to thank me for doing a service I've really loved.

 “I’d never seen such a big picture of me. My 94-year old dad was especially proud. He wanted copies of the newspapers for our relatives.”

Part-subsidized by Messenger Publishing Group owner Paul Scholl, the advertisement was also sponsored by donations from Peters' fans. These included private citizens, business organizations, non-profits, and notably, previous and serving county supervisors. So generous was support that the project’s cost was quickly covered and a balance remained.

Rather than return donations, it was decided to split surplus funds between two charities that Peters nominated. She chose the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART).

A community favorite, the Nature Center has promoted nature education for 46 years and is steward to a 100-acre wildlife preserve. After the center lost public funding ten years ago, its operations have continued under the American River Natural History Association’s aegis. Adult and youth programs are entirely supported by fundraisers and donations.

Carmichael HART was established less than five years ago as a coalition of faith communities, non-profits, businesses, agencies, and individuals. Along with affiliated groups in many other Sacramento areas, HART’s efforts include developing programs to help homeless men, women, and families.

The published appreciation to Susan Peters was sponsored by the Carmichael Times; the American River Messenger; Susan Maxwell Skinner; Supervisor Muriel and Dr Ernie Johnson; Peter Tateishi; the Fulton Ave Association; Carmichael Rotary; Allan Davis (Milagro); Gabrielle Rasi DDS; Linda Beech Cutler; Carmichael Park Foundation; Carmichael Chamber of Commerce; Carmichael Rotary Club; Carmichael Recreation and Park District;  Kim Pacini-Hauch: Carmichael Improvement District; Supervisors Rich Desmond, Sue Frost and Sandy Smoley.