On April 18, The Community Chest of Port Washington celebrated the many accomplishments of Blanca Fabian and awarded her with Citizen of the Year 2015 in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the residents of Port Washington. The Community Chest of Port Washington, founded over 65 years ago, is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Port residents. They raise money and distribute grants to nonprofit organizations that deliver a range of much-needed services. In 1970, they started a tradition to recognize a person, group of people or organizations for a lifetime of outstanding volunteer service on behalf of residents of Port Washington. This year, Fabian was honored for her untiring dedication to so many people here in Port. In his opening remarks, Neil Lazar, president of the Community Chest, said, “We view this award as representing what makes Port Washington a great place, tonight we honor Blanca Fabian who exemplifies just that.”
Fabian came to the U.S. in 1978 from a very modest background in San Vincente, El Salvador. She was raised by parents who taught her to show kindness towards all people and they instilled these strong values through their example. She has shared this kindness with the many local organizations and churches she has volunteered for. Fabian has 
embraced her life in Port Washington for the past 38 years with her husband, Juan, and their three children, Flor, Eduardo and Jacqueline. She raised her children, worked full-time and continued throughout the years to give back to a community she came to love. She is a member of the St. Peter of Alcantara Church Parish Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Crisis Relief Team, a grassroots organization that helps the community out during crises. Fabian also volunteers for the Port Washington/Manhasset Chapter of CancerCare and is the president of the Family and Friends Council at the Sands Point Center for Health and Rehabilitation. She is a board member of the Community Economic Development Corp., the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County and Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington. She sits as vice president of the Community Action Council, an organization which provides many services and enrichment programs. In 1997, she joined the board of directors of the Cow Bay Housing.
Fabian was also one of the founding members of the Community Action Network, whose mission was to welcome and foster the diversity of Port Washington.
The ceremony and reception were held at the Port Washington Library. It was attended by family members, friends, colleagues, state and Town of North Hempstead elected officials and many people from the community who came to pay tribute to her. There were presentations and members of the audience were invited to speak. They all had something in common—they were extremely grateful that Fabian decided to make Port Washington her home.
