Britain's last name is familiar to Irving residents from any number of buildings and streets in the city. The Britain family settled in the area in 1859 after buying land and building a farmhouse near the intersection of today's Perry and Nursery roads. In 1902, the family provided a campsite to a railroad survey crew that included Irving's founding fathers J.O. Schulze and Otis Brown, eventually selling 80.21 acres of land to the in 1903, establishing the City or Irving.
The senior community of Irving has benefited from Britain's time and resources. Britain is an advisory board member at the Heritage Senior Center and has volunteered her time on numerous boards and committees, including the decorating and nominating committees at the Senior Center. Britain also served the Irving Centennial Celebration Task Force on the Historical Markers and Designation Committee.
This is not the first time Britain was recognized for her volunteerism; she was honored in 1998, 2000 and 2008 with the Irving Parks and Recreation (IPAR) Super Star Award, and in 2007 received the IPAR Community Service Award. In 1998 and 2001 she was also recognized with the Governor's Volunteer Award. Since joining the Senior Center in 1990, Britain gives an average of 20 hours of her time each week, which totals more than 23,000 hours of service in the last 20 years.
Linda Spencer, who works with Britain at the Heritage Senior Center, said "Juanita is the oldest, but youngest at heart and most adored volunteer. She is our matriarch and Historical Scholar, and she makes us laugh and smile too. Our lives are enriched knowing and working with her."
The High Spirited Citizen program was initiated in 1988 by the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau. Its purpose is to encourage the spirit of volunteerism. To date, more than 400 of Irving's "unsung" heroes have been honored with the award.
