Naomi "Penny" Howard
May 7, 1922 - Oct 23, 2023
Penny's dedication and support to the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce will never be forgotten. She was a member of the Fair Oaks Chamber since 1998. She had a beautiful soul and spirit at her young age of 101+. She ran for Fair Oaks Honorary Mayor twice, once in 2006 and 2020 and won both times. We honored her with carrying the title over in 2021, as we had no one interested in wanting to take on the challenge that year. During her years of campaigning for her charities she raised a total of $16,997.89 for her community. In 2006 she raised money for the St. Francis Red Wagon Project and in 2020 she raised money for Del Campo High School. Penny had amazing stories to always share with you, as you can only imagine 100 years of life and the changes she saw along the way. We loved seeing her at almost every chamber event, until she couldn't come anymore within the last year. She truly lived life to the fullest! Our little town will miss her dearly!
Resting in Peace
October 23, 2023
2020 - Campaign
Penny Howard
is a long-time Fair Oaks’ resident. She has been a member of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce since 1998, representing her church, Saint Francis Episcopal. After her church closed its doors in 2018, Penny continued on with the chamber as a resident member.
In 2006, Penny ran for and became the 27th Honorary Mayor of Fair Oaks. She raised a total of $8,244.85 which half was donated for her church’s program “Red Wagon Ministries”, and for St. John’s Women’s Shelter. Penny has continued to be involved with the chamber, attending monthly luncheons and mixers over the last twenty years, as well as attending various chamber-sponsored community events and fundraisers. She was awarded “Citizen of the Year” for 2017 and proudly rode in the Christmas Parade in 2018.
After much persuasion from fellow chamber members, Penny agreed to throw her hat in the 2020 Honorary Mayor race. This time Penny is going to raise money for Del Campo High School’s “Visual and Performing Arts” program. Penny chose this school’s program because three of her children attended Del Campo, and because Penny is an accomplished artist. If Penny wins this year’s honorary mayor race, she will become the oldest "Mayor" at the very young age of 98!!
a little History
Established in 1979 by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, this initiative was born out of the unique status of Fair Oaks as part of the Unincorporated area of Sacramento County, where a Mayor is not in place. The chamber envisioned this campaign as the next best solution, aiming to promote Fair Oaks businesses while generating funds for both the chamber and the community. The Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Honorary Mayor Campaign is a non-political event, where the winner is determined by the candidate who raises the most money over a four-month period. Each dollar raised counts as one vote.
The proceeds collected from each candidate will be split 50/50 between the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and a charity of the candidate’s choosing, subject to approval by the FOCC Board of Directors. The winner will be unveiled in October 2025. Throughout its 46-year history, this event has garnered a total of $562,306.95, with half of that amount reinvested back into the Fair Oaks community.
Penny's Sponsors
