DANVILLE — Anne Sacheli’s efforts to bring the Walldogs Mural Project to Danville last summer earned her the affectionate nickname "Hometown Dog."

Now those efforts and others have earned her the distinction of the Danville Chapter of AMBUCS’ 2010 First Citizen.

"Ms. Sacheli has been … the guiding light behind Danville’s Walldogs Mural Project, bringing over 160 artists from all over the U.S. to Danville for a memorable weekend of public art," Martha Kay wrote in her nomination letter. "Danville natives and tourists now cruise the downtown area enjoying the murals, which depict the colorful history of Danville and its many outstanding citizens."

"It not only brought visitors to Danville," added Mary Chambers, who also nominated Sacheli. "It brought people from Danville together more than any other event I can remember, and really instilled in them a sense of pride for their community.

"I’m so happy to see Anne receive this honor," Chambers continued. "Here’s someone who wasn’t born or raised in Danville. Yet ever since she married and moved here, she’s been a vital, enthusiastic member of the community and a true visionary. She doesn’t know the phrase, ‘That’s nice, but I don’t think we can do it.’"

AMBUCS national service club is dedicated to creating opportunities for independence for people with disabilities, especially children. Each year, the Danville chapter gives its First Citizen award to an area resident who has contributed significantly to the community through a single or multiple projects, personally or professionally.

Sacheli was selected from among 10 nominees, said Janet Myers, chairwoman of the First Citizen Banquet.

"The Walldogs project really stood out this year, and she was the driving force behind it," Myers said, adding the selection committee said that single project not only "brought the city of Danville to life for the first time in many years" but also brought people from all over the world "working together for a common good."

Sacheli also was recognized for her work with the Danville Symphony Orchestra, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Salvation Army, St. Paul’s School Commission and Parish Council, and the new Schlarman Academy Board, for which she serves as chairwoman.

In 1996, she and her husband, Michael O’Brien, developed and co-chaired the Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation’s Festival of Trees, which has become an annual event that’s raised more than $2.5 million for the hospital’s community outreach programs. Since then, she’s been involved in the festival in some way, including as chairwoman the past two years.

In addition, Sacheli, along with the late Jeanne Eisenhauer and Master Gardner Lisa Campbell, spearheaded the creation of the Douglas Discovery Garden, an interactive, wheelchair-accessible garden at the old Douglas School site. Work on the garden, designed by a University of Illinois landscape architecture class, started last year and will continue this summer with the building of a brick sidewalk and a pergola.

Sacheli, Chittick Family Eye Care’s optical manager, said she was surprised when AMBUCS members brought her news of the honor on Monday.

"I feel very humbled without a doubt," she said, quickly crediting the success of the projects she’s worked on to the hard work of many volunteers.

Sacheli also credits her late mother, Pat, and father — Frank, a former mayor of Brockport, N.Y., where she grew up — for instilling in her the importance of giving back to the community. She said that’s something she and her husband are working to pass on to their sons, John and Ned.

"I truly believe in ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’" she said. "I’ve certainly been blessed in my life."

The AMBUCS First Citizen banquet honoring Sacheli will be held at Turtle Run Banquet Center, 332 E. Liberty Lane, Danville, on April 18.

A cash bar and reception will be held at 6 p.m., and dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and payable at the door.

Reservations, due by April 13, can be made by calling 446-7170, and leaving the name and number of people in the party.