Haines City has a special glow around the holidays thanks to what they call, “The City of Angels,” which is in large thanks to the former mayor and city commissioner, Joanna Wilkinson.

“She worked for 17 years on the commission and never took a paycheck,” said Haines City Mayor Morris West. “She has a heart of gold.”

Wilkinson donated each of her paychecks while in office to city improvements. This, in large, is why she is being recognized as a community scholar – years after her retirement.

“The Lake Eva community center has a banquet hall that will be renamed to the Joanna Wilkinson Banquet hall,” said Mayor West. “It’s an honor to be mayor during a time when we can do something like this for Joanna; she has done so much for this city.”

Mayor West joined several other Haines City commissioners and community members to honor Wilkinson at a revealing ceremony at Lake Eva Community Center.

“I was really happy; I remember when they started building (the community center),” said Wilkinson. “It felt really good seeing everybody.”

Wilkinson, now 85 years old, said she decided to donate 17 years worth of paychecks simply because it was a good thing to do. 

“They thought I was hero (for never accepting a paycheck) but I just did it because it’s what I wanted to do,” said Wilkinson.

She said she still holds the values she learned serving the city in the 1990’s close to her heart.

“I was coming from a banking background and learned serving on the commission is almost the same – it’s about pleasing people,” said Wilkinson.  “When we would talk in a lot of our meetings they’d say, 'I want this project done,' but you have to also let them know that you have to get with all the commissioners and figure out if its good for all the town so, that’s how we started out.”

Mayor West said Wilkinson served the city long after she retired – proof that good people with good intentions still exist.

“She’s given back,” said Mayor West. “Even after retirement, she stayed involved for at least 10 years; she wasn’t just serving on the council, she was serving the city of Haines City.”