Beth Wilmes Recognized as Wentzville’s 2025 Citizen of the Year
The City of Wentzville is proud to recognize Beth Wilmes as the recipient of the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. This award honors individuals who have made meaningful and lasting contributions to the community through service, leadership and compassion. Beth was presented with the award by Mayor Nick Guccione during the Jan. 28 Board of Aldermen meeting.
Beth is the founder of Faith Through Fire, a Wentzville-based nonprofit established in 2019 with a mission to reduce the fear and anxiety breast cancer patients experience and replace it with hope and a path toward thriving. After surviving breast cancer at a young age while raising small children, Beth recognized a critical gap in support for individuals navigating diagnosis and treatment. Rather than turning inward, she chose to transform her experience into service for others, ensuring no one has to face cancer alone.
Since its founding, Faith Through Fire has grown into a comprehensive support system offering practical, emotional and peer-based resources. Through programs such as the Fortify peer-mentorship program, educational tools like the Fear Less e-book, survivorship bootcamps, a community podcast and more, Beth has helped hundreds of individuals and families find encouragement during one of the most challenging seasons of their lives. In 2024 alone, the organization supported more than 125 newly diagnosed patients, expanded its survivor mentor network, and reached thousands through educational and digital resources.
Beth’s impact reaches far beyond program numbers. She is widely recognized for meeting people where they are — offering reassurance, understanding and practical tools when they are needed most. In addition to leading Faith Through Fire, Beth continues to volunteer locally, share survivor insights and model servant leadership rooted in empathy, purpose and action.
“Beth’s story is one of courage, compassion and service,” said Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione. “She turned a deeply personal challenge into a source of hope for countless families. Through her leadership and heart for others, Beth has made a lasting impact on our community and beyond. We are proud to recognize her as Wentzville’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.”
Nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award are accepted year-round. Residents are encouraged to nominate individuals who go above and beyond to serve the Wentzville community by visiting www.wentzvillemo.gov/COTY. The Citizen Recognition Program was established by the Citizen Recognition Award Committee of Wentzville to honor individuals and groups who make a positive, meaningful contribution to the quality of life in the community. The committee makes the final selection.