The City of Carlsbad named three residents as Citizens of the Year, a tradition more than 50 years old that honors community members who have given their time and energy toward the civic improvement, beautification:
Brad and Beth Thorp
Jill Uhley Rogul
This year’s honorees were recognized during a ceremony July 18 at 3 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Carlsbad City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, followed by a small reception in the courtyard.
Brad and Beth Thorp
Brad and Beth Thorp have lived in Carlsbad for 28 years and are deeply invested in the community, having experienced firsthand the way it comes together to do good. They are the founders of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money to help children and families suffering from life-threatening illnesses, diseases and disorders.
The foundation is named for the Thorps’ eldest son, Mitchell, who died in 2008 at age 18 after a devastating five-year illness. When Mitchell was gravely ill and the Thorps were searching desperately for a cure, the Carlsbad community held a fundraising walkathon at Poinsettia Community Park to help offset the mounting medical bills their insurance did not cover.
“That was a life-changing moment for Brad and me,” Beth Thorp said. “The community showed up in a big way to offer their love and support and help reduce our medical bills. It meant more than you can imagine and we knew we wanted to pay it forward one day.”
The Mitchell Thorp Foundation’s many efforts include an annual Warrior Spirit 5K Run/Walk that is held each February and draws thousands of participants to the same park where the first walk for Mitchell was held in 2006.
Since the foundation was created in 2009, it has given $3.2 million to help more than 1,550 children and families in Carlsbad and beyond pay their medical bills, keep a roof over their heads and keep food on the table. The Carlsbad community help makes that possible, the Thorps said.
“Carlsbad is truly a one-of-a-kind community – so generous and caring,” Brad Thorp said. “It still maintains that small town feel and connectedness. When this community comes together, it spreads like wildfire. We’re blessed to be a part of it and to see the impact it can have on children and families in the most desperate situations.”
In addition to their work with the foundation, Brad Thorp served on the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission for six years and on the board of the La Costa Youth Organization for eight years. Mitchell and the Thorps’ youngest son, Matthew, played baseball in the organization’s youth leagues.
Jill Uhley Rogul
For over 10 years, Jill Uhley Rogul has volunteered at the County of San Diego Animal Services North Shelter on Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad, where she helps to comfort and socialize stray or surrendered animals so they can be adopted into good homes.
Rogul, who moved to Carlsbad in 1999 with her husband, Phil, has spent more than 10,000 hours volunteering at the shelter. She said her commitment to community service started as a child.
“I was raised in a family that really valued service – we were always taught to put others first,” she said. “When you look around and see all the obstacles that people face, you become more aware of how fortunate you are and more open to doing what you can to help others. For me, it’s dogs, because they can’t advocate for themselves.”
Rogul’s volunteerism began in earnest when she retired from a demanding career as a physical therapist running her own practice. The next day she started helping out at the animal shelter in Carlsbad and, in the decade since, has become a constant presence there, caring for the animals, making dog treats, restocking supplies and doing whatever else is needed.
“My favorite thing is working with dogs, especially shy or scared dogs, and building trust with them,” Rogul said. “I walk them, talk to them and tell them that they’re loved and cared for, all of which helps make them more adoptable. When you see them relax and start to eagerly engage with people, it’s just pure joy.”
Rogul said as much as she invests in volunteering, it doesn’t compare to what she gets back. “I just find it so rewarding and challenging,” she said. “I’m doing something important that gives me a sense of purpose, and that makes me so happy.”
She said there are a lot of opportunities to serve others in Carlsbad if people are open to them. “For those who want to give back to the community, there is always something you can do,” Rogul said. “You get what you put into it and I put everything into it because it means everything to me.”
