From newer events like the Summer Fest & Fireworks to established traditions like Christmas in Clinton, there’s a common thread that links many Clinton activities: Jessica Demers. Since moving to town six years ago to be with her husband Joel and step-children Emma and Abby, Jessica has become involved with town to such a degree that this year the Clinton Chamber of Commerce has named her its Citizen of the Year.

Jane Scully Welch, last year’s Citizen of the Year and head of Clinton’s Pretty Committee, nominated Jessica for the award.

“I’m lucky to be considered in the same category as her,” says Jessica of Welch.

According to her many fans, the distinction is well-earned. Beyond helping out with town beautification through her past few years on the Pretty Committee, Jessica has helped Clinton become a better place to live in deeper ways. It’s part of both her personality and business philosophy as owner of Body Karma Studio, the fitness studio she opened three and a half years ago in the center of town.

“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the community,” she says. “That’s very important for our business model here at the studio.”

Immediately upon opening her studio, Jessica joined the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. Soon after, she was on its executive board of directors.

“I feel that the Clinton Chamber of Commerce—really any chamber of commerce—is just important to help support the business community of any town,” she says. “I’m fortunate enough as a member of the board that I’m able to help new businesses and small businesses succeed in our community.”

Through the Chamber, Jessica served on several committees alongside Mari Lee (who this year is receiving the Chamber’s Award of Distinction for Public Service) to organize this year’s Summer Fest & Fireworks as well as last year’s inaugural event. At Christmas in Clinton, she hosts the Families Helping Families (FHF) “Soup’s On” contest at her studio—she’s also on the board of FHF.

“We’ve done that for two years,” she says of the contest. “Local participants enter their soup and people come and try it, and all the money raised goes to Families Helping Families.”

She’s also worked on the Apple Pie Festival and Crazy for Cupcakes, two more events held by FHF.

“It’s very grass-roots so we’re able to provide different types of funding, be it monetary, food, or back-to-school supplies for kids that need it,” she says of FHF. “We’re able to be versatile. We work closely with [Clinton] Social Services and the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, so we find out what the needs are for the town.”

Originally from Voluntown, Jessica teaches meditation, yoga, Zumba, and works as a personal trainer, too.

“I’ve been doing yoga since my early 20s,” she says. “I had a neck injury and I was getting headaches and going to a chiropractor, but then I started doing yoga and found the headaches disappeared with regular practice. I love the whole fitness aspect of it. I love the mindfulness that yoga creates.”

Jessica also involves her studio with the community in every way possible, not just at Christmas in Clinton but throughout the year. Every three months, she hosts a new display of artwork done by Clinton Art Society members at her studio.

“It always looks good,” she says of the art. “I know my students here love it, everybody just loves the way the art looks. That’s always wonderful.”

For the past two years she has taught one Zumba and one yoga class each week to members of Vista Life Innovations.

“It’s been really fun to watch their progress,” she says. “They love it. They’re able to move more fluently.”

She has also volunteered her talent at the beach at Hammonasset State Park, where she has taught free yoga classes for charity for the past three summers, twice a week.

“We usually get a lot of people,” she says. “The money goes to Friends of Hammonasset and they use it for the Meigs Point Nature Center.”

In case that’s not enough, Jessica has a second job—event manager at Sweetwater Farm opposite the new Morgan School—and does a weekly health and wellness show as a volunteer with iCRV Radio, an Internet radio station based out of Ivoryton. Basically, her drive to help out the community comes from her passion for that community and her desire to help individuals better their own lives.

“I love that it’s such a close-knit community and that so many people really appreciate the value of volunteering and helping each other,” she says. “I love what I do. I love being able to help people, and yoga is a great way to just give back to the community at large.”

For information on any of the groups mentioned, give Jessica a call at 860-237-0989.

The Clinton Chamber holds its annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clinton Country Club, 128 Old Post Road. In addition to honoring Jessica Demers as Citizen of the Year and Mari Lee with the Award of Distinction for Public Service, recipients include Gerry Vece and the Morgan Building Committee for Best Foot Forward and Todd Steward of Stewards Ace Hardware for the Business to Community Partnership Award.

The Board of Education will also recognize Mike Nuzzo of Grand Apizza as its Business Person of the Year at the ceremony.

Tickets, $45, are available by calling the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860-669-3889.