Other nominees this year for Albert Lea Citizen of the Year

“He has been such a blessing in helping kids in Albert Lea and beyond,” Greg Gudal said. Meyer also served on the board at St. John’s Lutheran Community, including as chairman during the construction of the organization’s new Fountain Lake campus, and now serves on an advisory committee there. Meyer said he first joined the Kiwanis organization in the 1970s and joined the Daybreakers Club in Albert Lea in 2006 after his retirement. He led a project for about 25 other Kiwanis Clubs in the region from 2013 to 2021 working with Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to obtain books to distribute to local preschool and kindergarten students. Though he no longer oversees the project for the region, he leads the effort with the Albert Lea clubs, working with representatives from other clubs to line up times to prepare the books for distribution and then to read in the classrooms at three public school districts, two private schools and other child care centers. Through the Daybreakers Club he also helps bag and sell kettle corn as a fundraiser for the club and has worked as liaison up until last year for his club to the Aktion Club, a service club affiliated with Kiwanis for adults with disabilities.

He has delivered meals to eight to 12 people one day a week through Meals on the Go for at least 10 years and is also involved with Trinity Lutheran Church, where he is a member.

Eileen Woyen, pastor of the church, said Meyer serves the church as a Holy Communion assistant and reads the lessons and shares in their prayers.

“Darryl has a gift for sharing

God’s Word,” Woyen said. “Darryl’s voice and presentation of the Scripture and our prayers is inspirational and assists in our understanding.”

She said Meyer’s passion for others and serving God is evident in his daily life. He is also involved in several other efforts outside of the community through Minnesota Teen Challenge for people struggling with addictions and Camp Hill Village Minnesota for adults with developmental disabilities. He has also sponsored the education of several youth in other countries over the years and has even taken part in efforts in other countries.

Meyer and his wife, Jo, have two children and one grandchild.