Lansing, MI, May 6, 2004 – The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is pleased to announce that the finalists for the 2004 Governor's Service Awards have been chosen. Also, new this year, members have been selected for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Honor Roll. The finalists and honor roll members were selected from more than 150 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state that were nominated for the awards. The awards honors dedicated citizens and organizations that give of themselves through volunteer service. Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern will honor them at the Governor’s Service Awards dinner, being held at the Amway Grand Plaza on Monday, May 24, 2004 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
"Volunteers are a treasure, a resource that must be validated through recognition and support from the highest levels. The compassion and giving of volunteers are what cause positive change in the life of one person, one family, one community; indeed, the world, one person at a time," said Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director of the MCSC.
The event is made possible through the generous contributions of the DTE Energy Foundation, General Motors Corporation, Health Alliance Plan, Lear Corporation, MGM Grand, and Whirlpool Corporation who are Award Sponsors and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network and Delta Dental Plan of Michigan who are Governor’s Champions.
The Governor’s Service Awards are an annual statewide recognition program acknowledging the contributions made by volunteers and honors those whose commitment to serving others is exemplary. Award winners, selected from the five finalists, will receive a plaque from Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Mulhern during the evening’s program. All finalists and honor roll members will receive a Governor’s Special Tribute.
The Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that builds a culture of service to strengthen communities, issued nomination applications for this year's awards. After a rigorous peer review by individuals representing nonprofit, volunteer, business, and education organizations, 30 finalists were selected in six award categories.
To purchase tickets to attend the event or for more information about the Governor's Service Awards, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc or call (517) 373-4200.
Finalists for the Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award:
Rebecca Arenas of West Olive is a tireless advocate for the disadvantaged and vulnerable. She is a founder of Latin Americans United for Progress and has been involved with this organization for more than 40 years. She has been instrumental in implementing health, education, and support services for migrant families in the greater Holland area. She has served on the boards of the Ottawa County Community Health, Center for Women in Transition, Community Housing Resource Board, Boy Scouts of America, Hope College’s Upward Program, and YMCA. Upon her retirement in 1998, Ms. Arenas became an AmeriCorps member and helped establish Abuelitos En Accion (Grandparents in Action), a program in which Hispanic grandparents teach after school Spanish classes, tutor, and provide household assistance for single mothers.
Ed Havitz of Lake Leelanau is a committed, self-sacrificing crusader for peace and justice. Upon his retirement from a 35-year teaching career in 1988, he became a full-time volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Lansing. When he moved to Manistique in 1994, he was instrumental in forming the Schoolcraft County Habitat. As a Habitat volunteer, he has built houses, led work crews, and done maintenance on vacant lots and building sites. He also started fundraising walks for Habitat and over the years he personally walked more than 2,000 miles and raised more than $70,000. He is very active in his church, has built a community playground, and participated in the Walk for Warmth, Kiwanis Club, and Cancer Fund. Recently diagnosed with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Mr. Havitz began speaking to groups and clubs about the effects of the disease and is raising funds to fight it.
Rosanne and Steve Heddy of Flint have been married 37 years and have been volunteering together ever since. They are the founders of Flint’s Operation Brush Up which each year uses donated materials and approximately 4,000 volunteers to improve the homes of the economically disadvantaged, elderly, and handicapped. They have also improved the interiors and exteriors of numerous nonprofit organizations and community buildings through Artistic Decorating of Flint, the Adopt a Park program, and Flint Environmental Action Team. They are actively involved with the Bobby Crim Road Race, which is a major fundraiser for the Michigan Special Olympics. They have volunteered with the Hurley Foundation’s Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, Whaley Children’s Center, YWCA, and Flint’s Historic City Market.
Susan LeGalley of Marquette has made a life out of caring for and helping others in her community and throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Shortly after her arrival in Marquette in 1987, she was troubled by the number of people sleeping in the waiting rooms and hallways of Marquette General Hospital. Many patients and their family members traveled great distances to receive hospital treatment and often couldn’t afford hotel rooms. As president of the Beacon House, she led a $2 million capital campaign, which enabled the organization to purchase and renovate a local hotel near the hospital. She also co-chaired a $3.3 million capital campaign to build a new YMCA serving Marquette County. She is a founder of the Medical Care Access Coalition, which assists uninsured and underinsured residents in the area. She has volunteered with the First Presbyterian Church, Hospital Auxiliary, PTA, United Way of Marquette County, Lake Superior Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, and more.
Sister Agnes Thiel of Grand Rapids believes that “third agers” (those between retirement and ill health) must take an active part in their community. Her advocacy began well before she was a third ager herself. She became a Dominican Sister in 1928 and taught for 40 years. Upon her retirement in 1973, she embarked upon decades of volunteer work that increased the political power of seniors in Kent County and beyond. She is a founder and long time president of the Advocates for Senior Issues, a body that represents roughly 68 organizations. She was involved with the Area Agency on Aging and instrumental in lobbying for the MIChoice Medicaid Waiver, which enables poor and frail adults to remain in their homes to receive nursing home level care. She formed the Aging Network Legislative Committee, 5-SAC, and Grand Rapids Senior Leadership. Sister Agnes has also volunteered with the Close-Up Program, Senior Power Day, and more.
Finalists for the Exemplary Volunteer Service Award:
Dr. Carl Benner of Traverse City is a tireless advocate for health care services for all people, regardless of their ability to pay. As the volunteer Executive Director of the Community Health Clinic in Traverse City, a free health clinic, which offers a variety of health care services to the uninsured and underinsured, he has expanded the quality and quantity of services provided. In 2003, the clinic served more than 3,200 patients nearly tripling the number of patients served in 2000. Dr. Benner was a surgeon until his retirement in 1990 and served as the vice president for medical affairs at Munson Healthcare until his retirement in 2000.
Kristina Marshall of Lake Orion uses her intensity, energy, and drive to serve Wayne County youth. As the executive director of Winning Futures, an organization that helps vocational students write and begin implementing five year plans for success, she has guided programs to an unprecedented level. She is the founder of the Metro Detroit Mentor Collaboration, a partnership of seven mentoring organizations that regularly network and share ideas and resources. She has personally mentored countless youth and has helped many of them graduate, stay clean and sober, and begin on paths of success.
Reverend Rodney Reinhart of Plymouth is building bridges of unity and understanding among diverse and conflicting communities. Since 1984, he has been building programs that encourage faith-based organizations and the gay/lesbian community to work together to care for people with AIDS. He has created and implemented programs that make it possible for Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and people of all faiths to pray and work together to end religious persecution, prejudice, and war. Reverend Reinhart has also developed literacy and writing programs that encourage young people in the Detroit area to take pride in and improve their writing skills.
Sammye VanDiver of Detroit is transforming the southwest Detroit community into a better place to live and grow for young girls and homeless families. Using an Alternatives for Girls (AFG) van, she patrols dangerous neighborhoods offering food, clothing, hope and encouragement to young girls. She has mentored young girls and has raised funds to support a variety of AFG activities. She also volunteers with the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS), which provides emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, meals, and comprehensive services for homeless men, women, and children. Through her creative efforts, COTS has received thousands of dollars worth of goods and services. Under her leadership, COTS has added new programs, expanded services, and embarked on a $6 million housing initiative.
Betty Welsh of Dearborn is helping seniors improve the quality of their lives. As a resident of Oakwood Common, an independent/assisted living retirement community, she is well aware of the needs and concerns of her fellow seniors. She aids her peers who are transitioning through change and loss. She is the driving force behind the Low-Vision Program, which serves residents experiencing age-related macular degeneration. She developed the Wildlife Program, which includes nature walks, articles on wildlife in the residence newsletter, and an award-winning program that involves residents as stewards of the wetlands surrounding their community. Ms. Welsh developed a Creative Writing Group, which has resulted in the publication of three books. She also serves on a number of community boards and committees that serve the senior population.
Finalists for the Exemplary Community Service Program Award:
Cambios, Inc. of Adrian is dedicated to increasing the appreciation of diversity and combating racism. Promoting multicultural literature and people of color as positive role models in Lenawee County area schools does this. Each year Cambios (Spanish for “changes”) donates 50 multicultural children’s books to every public and private elementary school and public library in the county. It hosts Reading to Eliminate Racism, which utilizes dozens of volunteers who read multicultural books in elementary classrooms throughout the county. Cambios also sponsors an annual visit by a well-known children’s author who visits the area schools.
Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps Program is striving to eliminate substandard housing throughout the state, one house at a time. In 2000, several local Habitat for Humanity programs had reached their maximum capacity under current volunteer and staff supervision. Habitat for Humanity of Michigan applied for and received AmeriCorps funding. Since then, the AmeriCorps members have provided more than 60,000 service hours in local communities, built 281 homes, and recruited 15,000 volunteers who contributed nearly 93,000 hours of service. In addition, they have supported domestic violence shelters, formed safety classes to assist with domestic problems, and developed budgeting classes and housekeeping programs for Habitat families.
St. Joseph Health System Volunteer’s Courtesy Coach Program of Tawas City is devoted to having safe, reliable transportation to health care services for aging, handicapped, and low-income community members. A single van covers five rural and sparsely populated counties in northeast Michigan traveling an average of 22,000 miles per year. In 2002, volunteers raised the needed $50,000 to replace the well-used van that had been in service since the program’s inception in 1997. The new five-passenger van is handicap accessible and equipped with a wheelchair lift. Last year, volunteers contributed more than 2,400 hours of service and served more than 1,000 community members. Volunteers have put systems in place to provide high-level maintenance and even wash and clean the van themselves.
St. Peter’s Free Clinic of Hillsdale provides health care, prescription medication, prescription assistance, and referrals to the uninsured and underinsured of Hillsdale County. The majority of the patients are the working poor or those who have recently lost their jobs. Medical volunteers fully staff the clinic each week—two doctors and/or physician assistants, three pharmacists, and three to five nurses. In addition, approximately 10 non-medical staff volunteer their time each week to screen patients, inventory pharmaceuticals, and assist patients with paperwork. In 2001-02, more than 500 patients were served, medical staff volunteered 2,700 hours, non-medical staff volunteered 2,500, and more than $115,000 in pharmaceutical samples were donated and dispensed. The clinic continues to grow and now averages more than 45 patients a week, and in January 2004 alone more than $20,000 in medications were dispensed.
UAW-GM Community Outreach Team of Lansing uses the untapped skills and talents of displaced employees to improve the lives of elementary school students. There are two key programs for volunteers to serve. GM PEP Volunteers serve in a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties to help them achieve their missions. Project TEAM volunteers address the need for mentors and tutors to work with students in the classroom. Since the programs inception in 1998, volunteers have been placed in more than 20 schools and 80 nonprofit organizations. Currently there are more than 200 volunteers placed throughout the tri-county area.
Finalists for the Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award are:
American 1 Federal Credit Union of Jackson has been supporting local nonprofit organizations and encouraging its employees to volunteer for more than 50 years. They have made significant financial contributions, hosted events, and provided an atmosphere for employee involvement in the community. Most recently, they have supported Kids’ Safety Day, Kids’ Fest, Supermarket Sweep to benefit the Food Pantry, Derek Edwards Bike Safety, American Red Cross, Jackson Literacy Council, Jackson and Hillsdale Counties 4-H, Junior Achievement, Skip-a-Pay Scholarship Program, and more.
Budco of Highland Park believes they have a responsibility to make a social impact on their community along with their economic purpose. Their corporate culture of giving includes financial contributions, in-kind services, and employee volunteerism. Their primary focus is on organizations that support families and children and they strive to have results beyond monetary value. Budco partners with organizations that allow their employees to get involved in a hands-on and meaningful way because they believe volunteerism is one of their corporate responsibilities. Just some of the organizations Budco supports are Detroit Public Schools, Focus: HOPE, Cornerstone Schools, March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, Boys & Girls Club of Highland Park, and Goodwill Industries.
DTE Energy of Detroit has a long-standing history of citizenship through their corporate giving, in-kind contributions, and employee volunteerism. They have a strong commitment to community throughout their organization from the CEO to direct line workers. They encourage employees to give back to their communities through volunteer service and employee donations that are matched by DTE Energy contributions. In 2003 alone, 425 grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations totaling more than $6 million. In 2003, the DTE Energy Foundation introduced two innovative grant programs. The Achieving Excellence Awards granted $300,000 to five organizations for demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and sustainability. The Community Luminary Awards granted $1,000 each to 100 outstanding community leaders and volunteers.
McCrosky Marketing Communications of Kalamazoo knew the homeless needed and deserved their help. They partnered with Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI) and began to utilize their skills and resources to educate Kalamazoo about “the face of homelessness” in their community. They brought HRI on as a pro bono client and gave them all of the attention and services they provide for their corporate clients. Together with their vendors, business partners, and clients, they designed, created, and distributed a series of products that communicated a concise, critical and sensitive message portraying the homeless population. As a result, donations to HRI have increased nearly 50 percent over the last three years. In addition, they have received offers for volunteer and in-kind help from numerous community organizations.
National City makes contributions to and has partnerships with nonprofit organizations across Michigan. Throughout the five years they have been doing business in Michigan they have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to Michigan’s communities. In 2003 alone, they contributed more than $4.6 million to Michigan’s nonprofit organizations; and the gifts are unique and tailored to each community’s needs. Their employees are also committed to giving back to their communities in a variety of ways. From the CEO to bank tellers, they volunteer in schools, serve on boards, clean up communities, and help children and families in a variety of other ways. In addition, employee giving is matched by corporate contributions and in-kind donations are a testament to National City’s broad commitment to a strong, healthy Michigan.
Finalists for the Youth Service Award of Excellence:
Nicole Dieterman of Chesterfield wanted to ease some of the emotional suffering caused by the war on terrorism and raise money to help both sides. The day-to-day headlines left her with horrific visuals about how life must be for the innocent victims both here in the U.S. and Iraq. She wrote and published a book of poems, A Child’s View of War. To date, the sale of this book has generated $2,000 of her $5,000 goal. All proceeds have been donated to Veterans of Foreign Wars and Action by Churches Together International, which aids the people in the Middle East. Ms. Dieterman is a freshman at L’Anse Creuse High School North.
Andrew Krupansky of Novi is a founder of Teens Aiding the Cancer Community Inc. (TACC), a student-led nonprofit organization that assembles and delivers toy-filled backpacks for children affected by cancer. He helped start this organization in 2002 as a sophomore at Novi High School. TACC currently has partnerships with 15 medical centers through the state that serve different ethnic and economic groups and has raised more than $50,000 to support it’s efforts. To date, more than 980 backpacks have been delivered. Other activities sponsored by TACC include visits by Ronald McDonald and a magician to Mott Children’s Hospital, a cancer walk, a Halloween party with Gilda’s Club, and a Cancer Survivors Picnic.
JoLynn Miller of Bear Lake is a strong student advocate for service-learning, a way of teaching that connects classroom learning with meaning service to the community. Her first experience involved designing, planning, and implementing “empty bowls,” a banquet to help alleviate hunger. As a representative on the local Academic Service Learning Advisory Board, she has spearheaded the development of a policy requiring service-learning as a graduation requirement. She worked with all classes to ensure students understand the criteria, and last year seniors logged more than 2,000 service hours. Ms. Miller did all of this while earning honor roll status throughout her junior and senior years, earning the Principal’s award for scholars, and national recognition in athletics for cheerleading. She is a senior at Brethren High School.
Lauren Neilson of East Lansing is kind, open, and willing to give—traits often lacking in a fast-paced world that is increasingly filled with self-absorption and arrogance. A senior at Haslett High School, she is a quiet giver who put hours of time and effort into starting the Student Mentoring and Recreation Team (SMaRT) in the Haslett Public Schools. Following guidelines for successful mentoring programs, SMaRT pairs high school students with elementary school students. Currently, there are 85 teen mentors giving at least one hour per week to their young mentees. Ms. Neilson’s service will continue to impact area youth long after she graduates from Haslett High School.
Nosayaba Osaigbovo of Detroit began serving as a volunteer for Super KIDS four years ago when he was a freshman at Cass Technical High School. Over the years he has served more than 200 people and given over 1,000 hours of volunteer service—never missing a single day despite weather and other emergency situations. He has become a curriculum leader who is actively engaged in making the program student friendly. Mr. Osaigbovo has also taken the lead in planning and implementing the Picnic in the Hood, a community celebration combining fun with health education; and the Ahali Family Picnic, a community picnic honoring community members and volunteers who make Brightmoor a better place to live.
Finalists for the Outstanding Mentor Award:
John Cole of Sault Ste. Marie is a shining example of the power of mentoring. When Mr. Cole became a mentor three years ago, Anthony was really struggling with making good choices in life. Mr. Cole has a great love for the outdoors and has shared this love with Anthony. Together they spend time learning about ecology and preserving our natural resources. Through his mentor, Anthony has also learned the gratification of giving back to others. Together they do volunteer work for families who have loved ones serving in the armed forces overseas. In 2003, Anthony received the Volunteer of the Month award. Mr. Cole has also developed a Youth Fishing Day for children waiting for mentors. This event hosted 120 youth in its first year and has grown every year since.
Robert Mingus of Detroit is a positive role model and mentor in his community. A police officer since 1996, he has been instrumental in growing the Explorers Post 1110 Youth Program from six to 47 children. As a result of this growth, he formed the volunteer group 11th Precinct Mentors For Youth, serving children ages 11 and under. Mr. Mingus coaches YMCA youth basketball and is the founder of Dads of Detroit, a nonprofit group focusing on positive parenting for fathers. He also started a Dad’s Club at his daughter’s school and mentors 8-16 year old boys through the St. James P.A.L. program.
Richard Phillips of Kalamazoo wanted his contributions to his community to be deeper and more personal, so he became a mentor. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, since 1992 he has established ongoing one-on-one relationships with three young boys with unpredictable lives. He ably navigated the myriad of social service organizations, schools, health providers, and individuals that rotated in and out of the boys’ lives. His patience, consistency, and low-key style have helped each of the boys improve social skills and self discipline. He models good behavior standards and sets academic achievement goals his mentees strive to reach. Although past retirement age, Mr. Phillip’s energy, enthusiasm, and selflessness continue to enrich the Michigan youth.
Cal Steele of Spring Lake became a mentor at age 78 when he became involved with the Journey Program, which matches mentors with youth that are on probation or involved with the family court. In 2002, he began mentoring Jordan who struggled with peer relationships, anger management, and self esteem issues. Mr. Steele’s care and concern helped Jordan and his family through very troubling times when Jordan’s sister was hospitalized with severe health issues. He arranged for Jordan to have major dental work done pro bono and has taught Jordan the importance to giving back to his community. Together they collected $1,200 worth of cans for the Journey Program’s can drive. As a result of their relationship, Jordan’s self esteem has increased, he is more comfortable in public situations, his anger management skills have improved, and he is no longer on probation. In support of the Journey Program, Mr. Steele actively recruits and assists new mentors, established the holiday Adopt-A-Family program, and is involved in other youth activities.
Laurie Tarter of Sterling Heights teaches young people to believe in and follow their dreams. She has touched countless lives through Winning Futures, an organization that helps vocational students write and begin implementing five-year plans for success. She is a highly respected role model, an inspiration, and a friend to the young people she serves. She believes everyone has unique qualities within them and encourages youth to use them to achieve personal success in life. Ms. Tarter helps students learn about self-reliance, personal responsibility, and goal setting. She also helps high school students give of themselves by mentoring sixth graders and is involved with job shadow programs to expose students to business opportunities.
The 2004 Governor’s Volunteer Service Honor Roll Members are the Arab American Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) of Dearborn, Mr. Norm Braksick of Portage, Ms. Reva DeRousha of Waterford, The Flint Journal of Flint, Ms. Harriet Franken of Kentwood, G&T Industries of Grand Rapids, Ms. Virginia Huntoon of Jackson, Ms. Miranda Lee Jones of Waterford, Mr. Eugene Kuthy of Detroit, Ms. Dorothy Laney of Shelby, Mr. Joe Madison of Saginaw, Mrs. Mary Payne of Muskegon, Pfizer Global Research & Development Ann Arbor Laboratories, Plumbs Valu-Rite Foods of Muskegon, Mr. Michael Prokopowicz and Dr. Catherine Kroll of Gwinn, RSVP of Kalamazoo County, Mrs. Georgie Safford of Rapid River, Ms. Anja Sirk of Sault Ste. Marie, Union City Community Schools Community Service Program, Volunteer Central of Bay City, Ms. Evelyn Weymouth of Okemos, Mr. David White of Flint, Williams Distributing Company of Grand Rapids, and Mrs. Kathy Woodruff of Muskgeon.
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Background:
The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), chaired by First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2003-04, the MCSC is granting more than $3.6 million in federal funds and $280,100 in state funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC supports and manages programs such as AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, Michigan Volunteer Investment Grants, Michigan Citizen Corps, and Governor’s Service Awards. For more information about the MCSC, please contact Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director, at (517) 335-4295.
