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Bonnie Jones
2022 Citizen of the Year

In 2016 Bonnie was a major contributor to the success of the 1542 Charter Member Campaign to help fund the MB Maritime Museum's first structure. When she joined the board she single-handedly established, developed, and managed the fund development memorial paver and bench program. She maintained an active Facebook page that attracted membership and managed the volunteers who worked the museum as well as working shifts herself to keep the doors open for visitors. Bonnie created a museum store with products to continue funding operations which allowed the museum to continue opening at least 4 days a week and holidays as a Morro Bay public benefit - totally free to the public. She researched and wrote the text and selected the photos to create the commercial fisherman's and women in fishing panel that was completed in 2022. With the board she helped develop an expansion plan for the next phase of the museum development. As the board treasurer, Bonnie kept the museum fiscally sound during 2020 and actually expanded programs with a grant for the Kids Cove from the City of Morro Bay, developed a maritime speakers' program, and so much more.

Most of all in 2022 she had the idea that MBMM should host a free family fun day where various community businesses and nonprofits would offer an activity that represented an aspect of the working harbor during the October Morro Bay Maritime Month. She gathered a small committee that grew into a diverse group of community residents and businesses who joined together to make MBMM Family Fun Day a smashing success. It is scheduled again in 2023 for the 2nd Saturday in October during MB Maritime Month. Bonnie tends to take the lead in everything she does and believes in strong collaboration with other community organizations. 

Additional Volunteer/Leadership Roles: President of St. Timothy's Women's Group opening activities beyond members of St. Timothy's parish; Lead Coordinator for Community Dinners at Vets Hall until Father Ed developed dinners at St. Timothy's then Bonnie took the lead to coordinate and even cook dinners to make sure hungry were fed on St. Timothy's Community Night; Co-director of SLO County's inaugural Anti-Human Trafficking Summit held in Morro Bay; Honorary Member of Morro Bay Rotary Club; Charter Member of MB Maritime Museum 1542 Navigator Circle, Board Member & Treasurer of MB Maritime Museum, Chair of MB Maritime Month Family Fun Day.

The Shell Shop
2022 Business of the Year

The Shell Shop Inc. has been owned and operated by the Thomas family since 1955. Laurence Thomas was an abalone diver and commercial fisherman. His 10 year old son, David Thomas, wanted to sell his father's shells in a 'lemonade style' stand, and successfully earned over $100 that summer selling the abalone shells for .10 cents each. These shells were the natural byproduct of the commercial fishing industry, making The Shell Shop one of the pioneer ‘green’ businesses that focused on reusing what was discarded by others. Soon after, the Thomas family started importing shells as well as selling the abalone shells for which Morro Bay was famous.

Local school children learn about the ocean seas and bay waters from Dave Thomas. An excellent employer, his staff has been employed with him for 18-30 years steadily. It is rare Dave misses a day of work at the shop he loves and the patrons he serves. As salvage divers, Lawrence and Dean Tyler, supported the Harbor Department's efforts to salvage sinking boats and bring historical nautical treasures back to display in Morro Bay. The anchor in front of the shop is from the 1923 Hondo Point Disaster. Dave and the Shell Shop became an ongoing major supporter of the Maritime Museum of Morro Bay. Besides loaning the iconic ships' bell off the USS Young, one of the Hondo Point naval destroyers lost and salvaged by his father, Dave wanted to make sure Veterans were recognized prominently in Morro Bay and donated the flag pole with appropriate flags, including a POW flag.

The Shell Shop has become an icon of Morro Bay over the years, with numerous families and individuals who consider The Shell Shop a necessary stop whenever visiting the Central Coast. We hope you enjoy the shop as your imagination lets you explore the depths of the global seas while you are here in lovely Morro Bay.

Project Surf Camp
2022 Non-Profit of the Year