Maria Maier, COO of Land of Make Believe, was recognized with the Outstanding Citizen award by the Hope Chamber of Commerce at its annual picnic event in July.

Maria Maier, only the third person to be so honored by the Chamber, was lauded for her commitment to the community, in Hope and throughout Warren County. The Land of Make Believe Amusement and Water Park is very supportive of local non-profit organizations. Additionally Maria Maier is a member of the Board of Trustees at Warren County Community College and a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Centenary University where she earned her MBA in 2006.

“We are so happy and proud to have Maria as part of our community,” said Hope Mayor Tim McDonough while presenting her with a proclamation from the town.

The proclamation to Maier states, in part, that she “has dedicated her life to Civic Involvement to her Community.”

Chamber board member and Hope Committeeman Terry Urfer added that Maria has “integrated herself into the Hope community and is very supportive of our town. We are so glad that she is a part of our community.”

Maier is also very active with the Chamber and is the organization’s “Official Photographer.”

For many years Maier spent her summers as an International student working at Land of Make Believe, eventually deciding to move here permanently. In 2014 she became a United States citizen. She is now married to Chris Maier, whose family has owned Land of Make Believe for over 60 years.

Photo: Hope Mayor Tim McDonough presents proclamation to Maria Maier recognizing her as Outstanding Citizen.