CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

For decades, Kristy and Bill Woolfolk have quietly transformed lives across the Eagle River Valley, supporting causes from education to mental health services and environmental sustainability. Now, our grateful community is proud to recognize them as the 2026 Vail Valley Citizens of the Year, honoring their extraordinary personal and professional commitment to nonprofits across the community and their strategic leadership of the Frechette Family Foundation. 

The Vail Valley Citizens of the Year Award is one of the highest honors in our community, awarded since 1981 to deserving citizens who have provided broad support, vision, and leadership for the betterment of the valley over a span of many years. Although the Vail Valley Foundation manages this prestigious award, it is not exclusively awarded to individuals involved with the Vail Valley Foundation. Recipients must show many years of dedication to multiple nonprofits spanning a myriad of causes, and their efforts and impact must stand the test of time.  

Through decades of dedicated volunteer service and philanthropy, the Woolfolks have transformed countless lives. Their approach to philanthropy is marked by deep personal involvement, collaborative problem-solving, and genuine care for the people involved. 

“Kristy and Bill exemplify what it means to be true community partners,” said Mike Imhof, President and CEO of the Vail Valley Foundation. “They don’t just write checks; they are incredibly hands-on and involved. They ask questions, serve actively on boards, and volunteer for events. Their kindness, genuine humility, and consistency over decades have made an immeasurable impact in the Vail Valley.” 

A continuing legacy

The Woolfolks’ commitment to the community builds upon a foundation laid by Kristy’s parents, Pat and Pete Frechette, who were themselves named Vail Valley Citizens of the Year in 2015. This unique multigenerational recognition is a first in the award’s history and speaks to a family culture of giving back that has shaped the valley for decades. 

Pat and Pete established the Frechette Family Foundation in the mid-1990s, not only as a vehicle for their own giving but to teach their daughters, Kristy and Kathy, about meaningful philanthropy and the importance of giving back. When Pat and Pete passed away in 2016 and 2017, they left behind more than memories: they left a blueprint for transformational giving that Kristy and Bill, along with Kathy and her husband Peter, have thoughtfully expanded upon. 

“The ability to give is a gift,” Kristy often says, echoing her parents’ philosophy. “We always ask ourselves, ‘What would Mom and Dad do?’ This award, in many ways, is them getting recognized again.” 

The Frechette Family Foundation has evolved while always honoring Pat and Pete’s legacy. They have maintained support for organizations that the Frechettes championed while strategically expanding to address emerging community needs. The Foundation focuses on where mental health meets education, supporting families and youth from their earliest years through college and career. 

Read Kristy and Bill’s story