38 Michiganders be honored at 2024 Governor’s Service Awards
Ceremony will take place on Nov. 14 at the Detroit Opera House
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commission announced the 38 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations who will be honored at the 2024 Governor’s Service Awards for their commitment to volunteerism, service or philanthropy on Nov. 14, at the Detroit Opera House.
“Community service makes Michigan a better place to live and every year, we get to honor some exemplary Michiganders who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Whitmer. “At this year’s award ceremony, I look forward to celebrating 38 people, businesses, and nonprofits for the example they have set for all of us to follow. I hope their stories inspire everyone to go out and make life a little better for those around them. Let’s keep rolling up our sleeves to help our neighbors.”
To recognize those who go above and beyond, the Governor's Service Awards have been presented since 1994. The Michigan Community Service Commission supports Michigan volunteers, organizations and businesses that are committed to service and play a critical role in improving the lives of our people and communities.
“The Award ceremony will be an incredible evening to celebrate the power of volunteerism,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The spirit and passion of this year’s honorees is astonishing. The level of selfless giving these Michiganders show should be an inspiration to us all.”
The winners include:
Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: James B. Nicholson (Grosse Pointe Farms)
Lifetime Humanitarian Award: Vivian Pickard (Grand Blanc)
Spirit of Hope: David Merritt (Detroit), Thomas Burke (Jackson)
Corporate Social Impact Award: Ford Motor Company (Dearborn), Priority Health Total Health Foundation (Southfield)
Older Adult Volunteer of the Year: Cathy Balik (Kalamazoo),David Baur (Lansing), Darlean Carpenter (Saginaw), J.W. Henderson (Detroit), Linda and Wayne Pynnonen (West Olive)
Youth Volunteer of the Year: Julia G. Jablonski (Port Huron), Lauren Mroczek (Mattawan), Arjun Saini (Northville), Piper Shumar (Traverse City), Hemanth Tadepalli (Troy), Khyiana Tate (Detroit)
Volunteer of the Year: Clare Clark-Carlisle (Detroit), Sarah Emmerson (Muskegon), Jessica Faith Becker Beamer (Farmington), Tricia Garbarino (Plymouth), Bernice Mason (St. Joseph)
Youth Impact Award: Destined for Greatness (Detroit), Stewards Sustainability Leadership Institute 4-H Club (Novi), STEM Greenhouse (Grand Rapids), John Dorr (Bloomfield Hills), William Kitchen III (Muskegon Heights)
National Service Impact Award: Darcele Marie Cole Robinson (Flint), Sandra Miller (Crystal), Vachal L. Moore Jr. (Detroit), LaShaunta Waller (Mason), Lois Westman (Ishpeming)
Community Impact Award: Eastside Community Network (Detroit), Dementia Friendly (Saline), Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Corporation (Detroit), Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (Galesburg), Friends of Sleeping Bear (Empire)
The Michigan Community Service Commission will host the free event, but registration is required to attend.
Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award
An individual who demonstrates a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteer service. This individual has taken their volunteer service to the highest level and has shown a tremendous passion for helping others. He/she is highly regarded for making a tremendous impact in their community or the state.
James B. Nicholson – Grosse Pointe Farms
Business leader James B. Nicholson is widely known for his civic and charitable activities. He has been honored by numerous charitable organizations and was named Michiganian of the Year in 2004. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan and the Futures Foundation. He is a past Chairman of the Boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Nature Conservancy and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.
He is a current member and past chairman of the boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Public Television. He also serves on the boards of the Michigan Colleges Foundation and the Detroit Economic Club. In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Jim B. Nicholson to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council where he served until 2015. In 2011, he was appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to the Investment Advisory Committee and became its chair in 2015. He has also chaired the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, the Detroit region’s Tourism Economic Development Council and the Wayne County Airport Authority Board. Mr. Nicholson is past chairman of the board of the Amerisure Companies and a past member of the board of DTE Energy.
Lifetime Humanitarian Award
An individual or family that has demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding civic and charitable responsibility to communities and organizations. This includes many years of board service, volunteer engagement, and philanthropic efforts.
Vivian Pickard – Grand Blanc
Vivian Pickard is an accomplished Fortune 500 Executive with expertise in philanthropic endeavors. She serves as President & CEO of the Pickard Group where she advises Fortunate 500 companies, private corporate CEO’s, nonprofit CEO’s and chamber of commerce organizations. She was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Women’s Commission for the State of Michigan. She was previously appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to serve as one of five members of the Medical Marijuana Board for the State of Michigan, which ended April 2019.
Vivian’s depth of knowledge and experience in developing strategy and overseeing giving efforts in the areas of education, health, human services, the environment, and community development led to General Motors philanthropic leadership on a national and international level. Vivian’s exemplary leadership over the last 20 years has led to multiple partnerships and investments that have helped change lives, influence communities, improve the environment and most importantly, establish General Motors as an international philanthropic leader. Her ability to combine her corporate and community relations with partnership development has contributed to her success.
A community advocate and philanthropist, Ms. Pickard has served on the board for the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, Inforum, Friends of African and African American Art (Detroit Institute of Arts), Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation and many more.
Pickard is widely known and well respected for her leadership. Her accomplishments have been acknowledged by the many awards and recognitions she has received throughout her career.
Spirit of Hope Award
Individuals serving as a beacon of hope for many and one who lifts up others and inspires people to make a difference.
Thomas Burke - Jackson
Thomas Burke worked as a cell block officer at Jackson Prison at a block was known for being the unit where teenagers were being sent to serve time in an adult prison facility. Seeing this first-hand inspired Burke to help, founding the Save Out Youth program. Starting out, the program initial mission focused on mentoring the youth who were serving time at Jackson Prison and also mentoring youth whose parents were incarcerated. Burke spent the first three years of the program learning that there were a lot of commonalities that led to teen incarcerations. He used this knowledge to then begin developing education programs and projects that would be brought to the community and would help with keeping youths out of prison. Save Our Youth began to partner with police departments, juvenile centers, probation departments, churches and many other places in the community so that the messages of Save Our Youth would be as widespread as possible. Since being introduced to the community in 2007, Burke and his organization have developed several programs and projects that are designed based on research and needs assessments. Save Our Youth has a program for everyone, with them having a physical fitness program, an art program, a robotics program, and youth summer bowling program and even a putt-putt golfing program. The organization also takes annual trips to a Detroit Tigers game and to Lake Michigan. Thomas Burke’s work with the youth in his community has helped numerous kids stay out of trouble.
David Merritt – Detroit
David Andrew Merritt is a gifted and talented visionary, entrepreneur, mentor, pastor and community advocate. He served alongside of his family throughout his life to support people to be engaged in making a difference in their communities. After graduating from the University of Michigan, where he walked on and later became a captain of the basketball team, he launched a cause-based fashion brand and store named Merit Goodness. Every purchase shapes the fate of students in need and helps send them to college as 20% of the company’s profits fund Meritt’s youth program, FATE. In FATE, students work on real-life business projects that allow them to discover that they can create their own futures. If the students complete the program, they are guaranteed up to $8,000 in college scholarships and the program currently supports 150 Detroit students. Fate’s mission is to provide resources and opportunities to youth to embrace education and motivates them to graduate from high school and attend college. Once they are part of the program, it promises youth someone will be there to help them through the challenges and celebrations of life as they navigate through college graduation and beyond. Most recently, Merritt and the Give Merit team have been working with the community to create Merit Park – a facility geared toward young people in Detroit through a mix of fashion, entrepreneurship, athletics and arts programming. The facility broke ground this spring and will provide programming services to not only meet the needs of young people, but also families and seniors within that community. It is hoped that Merit Park will serve as a model for how communities throughout the city and state can utilize vacant and blighted space and turn those spaces into beacons of hope.
Corporate Social Impact Leader Award
Corporations/Businesses that maximize the collective impact of employee volunteerism and corporate philanthropy to make an impact in Michigan communities. Applicants may be large corporations or small businesses.
Priority Health Total Health Foundation
Since 2021 the Priority health Total Health Foundation has given away over $14 million to 73 different nonprofits working in and around Detroit. Each quarter new grants are awarded to worthy organizations who at the grassroots level are addressing the social determinants of health, which impact not only health outcomes but life outcomes.
The Priority Health Total Health Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Pure Heart who works with a child population in Detroit who lives with constant shame because of an incarcerated parent. The grant funded an after-school program that provides mentoring, leadership, academic support, and a monthly field trip, as well as parental visits with the incarcerated parent. The Foundation also funds DLIVE (Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday), a hospital-based, community focused violence intervention initiative which works holistically with young people who have experienced intentional acute violent trauma in an effort to change their life trajectory.
Each grantee organization approaches the disparities with its own unique approach which altogether makes a momentous impact on the marginalized populations who now have more opportunity and more access to achieve success and prosperity.
Ford Motor Company
The Ford family is among the world’s leading philanthropists, a commitment that is deeply ingrained in their legacy. Edsel Ford established the Ford Foundation as an independent corporate foundation in 1936, and Ford Philanthropy (formerly Ford Motor Company Fund) was established in 1949 by Henry Ford II as a nonprofit organization funded by company profits.
Ford Philanthropy’s mission is to partner with communities to help move people forward and upward. It is a mission that has remained steadfast for over 75 years and served as the driving force behind the more than $2.3 billion Ford and Ford Philanthropy have made in philanthropic contributions since 1949.
Working with nonprofits and community organizations in more than 30 countries, Ford Philanthropy invests in programs and partnerships that build equity and expand access to essential services, education and entrepreneurship. Whenever possible, the power of mobility is used to find new ways to connect people with the goods and services they need most.
In 2024, through their partnership with the Accounting Aid Society Ford has hosted volunteer training sessions at their World Headquarters and during this 2024 tax season, nine Ford employees volunteered over 200 hours.
Ford family came together to give back to communities during National Volunteer Week in April, with nearly 500 employees from across the country celebrating their support for dozens of projects focused on food security and disaster relief. Ford volunteers served 1,300 hours during the week.
Helping fuel Ford Philanthropy’s mission are the thousands of Ford employees who participate in community service projects through the Ford Volunteer Corps. With support and funding from Ford Philanthropy, the Ford Volunteer Corps provides year-round opportunities for employees to help address issues they care about in communities where they live and work. Since Bill Ford started the Ford Volunteer Corps in 2005, Ford employees have contributed more than 1.7 million volunteer hours across six continents, bringing unique skills and heart for service to nonprofits all over the globe.
Older Adult Volunteer of the Year Award
Individuals 65 or older who are taking action to make their community a better place. These individuals share their many years of experience and are role models for others to serve and volunteer.
J.W. Henderson - Detroit
Thanks to his service and leadership with various community and state-level organizations, J.W. Henderson has become a prominent member of the Detroit community. Serving as President of the 5th Precinct Police/Community Relations Council in Detroit, Henderson actively reinforces the ties between the police force and the local community. In this role, Henderson is dedicated to enhancing public safety and nurturing mutual understanding between the police and the community. Henderson has also volunteered for projects that help beautify the community and projects that require him to become a handyman. He’s also mentored kids, focusing primarily on literacy. Through volunteer projects like this, Henderson significantly contributes to the betterment of his community. His willingness to jump in and help wherever he can show his commitment to helping grow the resurgence of community pride and active participation.
During his tenure as the Mayor of River Bend in Detroit, he worked to make the community better. This year, Henderson donated his funds to provide Christmas gifts for needy children. His compassion and support will give numerous families joy and hope during the holiday season. However, Henderson’s monetary contributions don’t end there, as he has personally contributed to local college funds, allowing students to chase their dreams with less worry. Henderson is a native Detroiter who wants to see the city be its best.
David Baur- Lansing
Over the course of his life, David Baur, 85, has volunteered for a myriad of programs and organizations. His volunteerism began in the 1960s when he joined the historic first group of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers deployed overseas. After serving two years in Liberia, Baur took a teaching job at the American School in Laos. After the fall of Saigon, Baur returned to Lansing with his family. Upon his return, he found work with Lansing Public Schools and Peckham Vocational Rehabilitation Industries.
Baur has been an active member at the First United Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church, serving in the choir and handbell choir.
Baur always maintained contact with the Peace Corps. He helps with recruitment at Michigan State University and attends local gatherings and national events. He returned to Liberia to reunite with some of his former students. He has also become involved with the Capital Area Literacy Coalition (now The Reading People) through the Peace Corps and served many years as a reading tutor.
Outside the Peace Corps, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association and the Ten Pound Fiddle Concert series. He also helps out with the National Folk Festival in East Lansing.
Baur’s constant volunteerism has made him an incredibly valued member of the community and a role model for others.
Cathy Balik- Kalamazoo
Since 2017, Cathy Balik, 80, has been an integral part of YWCA Kalamazoo’s Victim Services Department. This department provides services 24/7/365 to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Through these services, individuals who have endured harrowing traumas can find solace, support, and the opportunity to reclaim their lives. As a YWCA Emergency Response volunteer, Balik serves over 40 hours weekly, accumulating roughly 15,000 volunteer hours since her tenure there began. As an emergency response volunteer, Balik serves as an Emergency Response Team member and a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam supportive volunteer. Being on these teams means that when called upon, she provides comfort and assistance to survivors in their moments of greatest need. During the COVID pandemic, she stayed available, allowing the department to continue to serve survivors. In addition to helping survivors, Balik is also a trusted mentor to her peers. She leads with empathy and resilience. She even recruited her community group to craft snuggle beanie babies in blankets for children who have been victims. Balik’s work has shown her to be a true humanitarian. She is a great role model who can always be relied upon to help someone in need.
Darlean Carpenter - Saginaw
Darlean Carpenter’s volunteer journey began 53 years ago when she joined the Saginaw High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in 1971. During the thousands of hours in the PTSA, she served as president and vice president and is currently the treasurer. She has continued to ensure that students have had advocacy in education, regardless of her position. School activity volunteer opportunities continued to arise. She served as the cheerleading and pompom coach at several schools in the late 70s – early 80s. In addition, she was a chaperone for the Growth and Afrocentric Program, where students went on trips abroad to Ghana and Nigeria. In 1980, she applied her passion for education to the Arthur Eddy Jr. High PTA & Parent Advisory Council. She organized and advocated for students and families in her seven years there. A year later, she joined the Superintendent Parent Advisory Council, where she helped to set policy and procedures for the Saginaw Public School System. Then, she took her advocacy for students and families to the state level, serving as the State of Michigan PTSA Region G Vice President for four years.
Outside of the world of education, Carpenter, 79, spent many years volunteering at both the Saginaw County Child Receiving Home and Saginaw Community Hospital volunteer. Today, she serves on the City of Saginaw’s Human Planning Commission, the Unity in the Community Neighborhood Association, and the Great Lakes Bay School’s Based Health Center’s Community Advisory Council. Carpenter has made service an integral part of her life, showing up for those in her community and around the state time and time again.
Wayne and Linda Pynnonen – West Olive
Blueberry farmers Wayne and Linda Pynnonen know that every season brings different circumstances. This helps them be kind, compassionate, and mindful in supporting their community. Since 1994, the Pynnonens have been serving with the Community Action House. With over 5,000+ hours volunteered at the House, the Pynnonens help in the community kitchen. They help prepare free meals to give to all in the community, regardless of their situation. When serving, Wayne can often be found behind the scenes, helping to wash dishes or other tasks in the back of the house. While Wayne is in the back, Linda can be found on the service line, graciously interacting with guests to help create a community of support for those who need it. Helping those is such a driving factor in their lives that they work constantly to make sure that they are well enough to serve at the House. They will battle through injuries, illness and all the other things that life throws at them to make sure that they are there to help support those that need it most in their community. When Linda was ill and unable to make it, Wayne showed up to serve. While serving, he talked about how badly they both wanted Linda to get better so she can get back to serving. The Pynnonens are always working hard to create a safe and supportive environment to everyone who needs it.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Individuals aged 25 and younger who work hard to make an impact in their community through volunteerism. These individuals create solutions to make lives better and demonstrate the spirit of being change makers.
Piper Shumar - Traverse City
Born with a chronic illness and having to undergo multiple surgeries, Piper Shumar, 13, found an escape through riding her bike. Shumar wanted others to find this same escape, so she began collecting deposits on bottles and cans to donate the money for bike helmets for children in need. After a yearlong effort donating helmets, Shumar wanted to do more for those in need, so she started her own campaign, “Piper’s Project This Girl Can.” After the first year of launching her campaign six years ago, she was able to raise enough money to donate ten bikes to Toys for Tots of Northwest Michigan. Shumar’s donations continued to grow. Last year, she was able to donate 270 bikes to her campaign. She then organized bike assembly parties to put together the bikes she was donating. At only 12 years old, Shumar spent her time volunteering at human service agencies, including Bikes for Tikes, Notre, Salvation Army, Bethany Christian Services, etc. As an outstanding young volunteer, Shumar was nominated to become a Youth Ambassador for the national Toys for Tots Foundation. She summarized the importance she feels toward volunteerism by saying, “My goal in life is to teach others the importance of a healthy lifestyle through cycling and learn the importance of giving back to the community.” Last year, Shumar was the youngest Youth Ambassador for the national Toys for Tots Foundation. Shumar provides a hopeful light to those less fortunate by being a young and transformative leader.
Lauren Mroczek - Mattawan
After studying biomedical science with an emphasis on nutrition science, Lauren Mroczek, 24, learned that 60% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness and that one out of every 10 people in the county does not eat enough fruits and vegetables every day. Knowing that this needed to change, Mroczek combined her education and service initiative through the Miss America Opportunity (pageant) to create her own community service project, Growing Gardens for Growing Minds (GG4GM). The overarching goal of the project is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to inspire the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables to lower the risk of developing a chronic disease. Since its inception in 2021, GG4GM has provided nearly 1,000 individuals and families with a wide variety of produce. The project has grown to include 13 Michigan counties and locations in four other states. Mroczek leads every aspect of the project. She researches and designs all the educational materials herself. With the help of a few volunteers, she takes the seeds that she has bought and packages them into kits to help families get going. The project is fully funded by donations and fundraising. All the kits they give out are free of charge. To secure funding, Mroczek has led multiple fundraising campaigns, managing to raise over $4,000 during the project’s first three years. Mroczek’s GG4GM project has helped a lot of people to eat cleaner and healthier, which should allow them to live fuller, healthier lives.
Julia G. Jablonski - Port Huron
While Julia Jablonski’s service journey only began in 2022, she has wasted no time making an impact on her community. In 2022, Jablonski began a nonprofit, Blooming Pals, after the death of her grandparents to honor them. Through local partnerships, Jablonski and her friends put together bouquets for elderly people and shut-ins living in nursing homes and senior citizen complexes. Each bouquet comes with a handwritten note. So far, the nonprofit has surprised more than 500 people. Jablonski plans to continue this philanthropy while in college in Ann Arbor and has already picked someone to take over the operation in her hometown. On top of her work with Blooming Pals, Jablonski has become a voice for the importance of vaccines for preventable childhood diseases. Through the Detroit Medical Center, she has become a Vaccine Ambassador. In addition, she joined the Blue Water Immunization Partnership. In both roles, she spends time advocating to kids about the importance of going and getting their vaccines. By creating presentations and giving speeches, she is able to help children gain a better understanding of vaccines so that they can make informed decisions. Jablonski’s other volunteer endeavors include being an English tutor for a Ukrainian student and working with the Seed and Soul Society. Jablonski cares for everyone in the community, from the youngest to the oldest, and her service history shows that.
Hemanth Tadepalli - Troy
In 2016, Hemanth Tadepalli, 23, joined the volunteer Troy Public Library Teen Advisory Board, serving 800 hours and collaborating with city and library officials, he created programs and proposed ideas on how to enhance the library’s culture. One of his many successes in this role was leading the International Fair for the City of Troy, which attracted more than 700 people to learn about cultures from around the world. Tadepalli took his experiences from the library board and joined the City of Troy Planning Commission in 2019 as a student representative. He assisted the commission by making sure that development aligned with local regulations and that future generations’ interests were in mind during planning. Tadepalli has had a huge impact on area college campuses as well. At Kettering University, he served as the University’s student ambassador, served on the School of Management’s Dean Advisory Council, and partnered with the League of Women Voters to provide a safe and welcoming space for students to access essential voting resources. At Oakland University, Tadepalli served as a judge for their Hackathon. At the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, he spoke to students, faculty, and staff about cybersecurity. He advised students on finding internships, selecting classes, and finding opportunities in today’s technological market. Tadepalli’s list of service includes a multitude of other volunteer opportunities, and everything he does shows that he is truly dedicated to making sure his community is the best it possibly can be, both right now and in the future.
Arjun Saini - Northville
Arjun Saini’s journey of service began in 7th grade, inspired by his mother, a dedicated physician during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivated to help and fueled by his passion for building intricate LEGO structures, he gained recognition by winning first place in a global Minecraft competition sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, where he recreated airports. Shortly after, he founded the Northville Novi Mask Initiative, distributing over 15,000 KN95 masks to combat PPE shortages in collaboration with teams from multiple school districts.
Now 17, Saini has taken on increasingly larger roles, becoming the youngest board member in several nonprofit organizations. His community service and leadership deepened through initiatives like his Northville High School club, SPARK, his recognition as Best Delegate at YMCA Youth in Government, and the creation of a five-year recap video for the Abhi Shah Foundation.
These experiences led him to establish his own nonprofit, MPower All, which empowers local communities through idea-sharing and growth opportunities for people of all ages. Since its founding, MPower All has mobilized over 2,500 volunteers (600 of them youth) across 30 projects serving both seniors and youth in Michigan’s diverse communities. Notable initiatives include a youth-led Health Fair that served over 500 community members and an Indian clothing drive that collected 17,000 pounds of clothing for shelters, orphanages, and refugee camps.
Recognizing the importance of early involvement, Saini, along with his younger sister Ria Saini, ensured that MPower All offers middle school students opportunities to grow into leadership roles as they progress through high school and college. The duo also launched the MPower to Lead program, giving youth the chance to lead projects in their areas of interest, fostering personal growth, leadership, and confidence, while also introducing digital empowerment programs for seniors to bridge the generation gap.
Saini’s commitment to service continues to grow as he leads MPower All in its mission to support diverse communities, nurture the next generation of leaders, and strengthen bonds across generations with the support and blessings of seniors in the community.
Khyiana Tate - Detroit
Khyiana Tate’s volunteer story is closely tied to her own personal story. Tate, 20, is deaf and has made it her mission to make sure that others who are Deaf have their voices heard. Tate’s volunteer journey started with two organizations. The first was the Greater Metro Detroit Agency for the Blind. During her countless hours of service there, she has helped at fundraisers to raise money for the agency and taught sign language to help boost communication. The other organization was the Association for the Advancement of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. During her time there, she has been a youth leader, taught sign language classes (including some that were free to the public), and helped out with free backpack giveaways, free back-to-school events, and free food giveaways. In 2020, Tate joined up with a third organization, Caleb’s Kids. On top of her role as a youth leader, she has been a part of organizing free events for Deaf youth and their families. Just a year later, Tate became a member of the Skillman Foundation President’s Youth Council. During her ongoing tenure, she has been awarding grants to youth-led organizations. She has also attended policy-making events. Tate is determined to prove to everyone that she can and will succeed. Her ability to communicate with others is a huge reason why she has been and will continue to be incredibly successful in life.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Individuals who strive to improve the lives of people in their community or state. These individuals make impact through volunteering in various capacities with nonprofits and organizations, showing a commitment to strengthening communities.
Jessica Faith Becker Beamer - Farmington
Jessica Faith Becker Beamer has been serving her community since 1996. Her service journey began at Hope Lutheran Church, where she is still an active member. Throughout the years, her role has grown, and now she leads a team of 20 volunteers to organize and run service opportunities and collections year-round. Every month, church members are invited to participate in “Service Days Out.” The team also uses the church to help host charities for educational events. The Service Days Out team also organizes multiple annual fundraising programs, including the Alternative Christmas Fair, which has raised more than $500,000 for local and international charities, and one that supports local families in need, which raises $8,000-$10,000 annually. Samaritas, an organization that focuses on ensuring that refugees have a smooth transition into their new lives, is another organization that Beamer is involved in.
She has organized and led a group of 40 volunteers to sponsor refugee families, received outreach grant money to support them, and tutored them. She’s organized and hosted workshops, traveling art shows, and supply drives to raise money for the families, and she even created a refugee simulation experience so the community could understand how difficult it is for these families.
Beamer also helps with the Blessed Birthdays Charity, an organization she founded with her daughter that provides complete, no-cost birthdays for at-risk children, and Oakland County Foster Closet, where she helps with donations to all those who need it. Beamer loves helping those who need a hand, whether it be because of difficulty or because they had to relocate due to unfortunate circumstances.
Tricia Garbarino - Plymouth
Tricia Garbarino is high energy, always willing to speak her mind and passionate about helping others. With these attributes, she has made an impact on her community. She volunteers frequently at Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy, an underprivileged Detroit Public School in Mexican Town. Garbarino goes to the school for various events and regularly communicates with them to understand their needs and how she can help. She organizes three major events each year: March Reading Month Day, a School Supply Day, and the Holiday Classroom Sponsorship. Garbarino also volunteers her time with the Detroit Free Press Marathon, where she participates in activities with Bosch on behalf of United Way of Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM). Garbarino has come up with some creative ideas to inspire more people to join in the marathon (and thus raise more money for USWEM). These include competitions for teams and even some fundraisers. One of these ideas was a ‘Relay Challenge,’ where local companies would nominate their relay teams to compete against each other, with the winner being the fastest team. By doing this, the hope is that more money and awareness will be raised for USWEM. Garbarino is always thinking about fun and creative ways to help make the community around her better. Through her tireless work, people around her are better off.
Clark Clare-Carlisle - Detroit
Clare Clark-Carlisle recognized that within her community, some kids were struggling with different topics in school. To combat that, she created Hard Court Hitters (HCH). Through HCH, Clark-Carlisle provides tutoring and mentoring to young minds. She makes sure that no one is left behind, no matter the topic or skill. She is also aware that families must be supported to create a thriving community. HCH helps to take care of essential resources for families in the community, giving away clothing and food to those who need it. During the holidays, adopt-a-family programs and Thanksgiving initiatives help to bring joy and warmth to the families. When she’s not working with HCH, Clark-Carlisle can be found helping with the Cancer Action Council. She is an active participant in surveys, studies, and focus groups, which help to give valuable insights that can help inform cancer research, treatment, and patient experiences. She also helps out as a caregiver, providing essential support to those being directly affected by cancer. This means that Clark-Carlisle is in the room, actively listening to patients as they talk about their feelings and thoughts. She has also created a manual for the community, which gives people essential information regarding cancer care, including how to become a caregiver. For both the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) and Camp Restore Detroit, Clark-Carlisle works as a facilitator, helping people get connected to the right things and advocating for them wherever she can. Clark-Carlisle is someone who sees a problem in her community and immediately works to solve the problem. Her leadership skills are essential to the organizations/projects she works with, and she is a role model for all.
Bernice Mason - St. Joseph
Bernice Mason has been helping people from all walks of life in the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph communities for more than 50 years. Through her years of hard work, she has earned the title of Community Service Leader/Honorary Ambassador. She’s been volunteering with the Salvation Army for more than 30 years, serving roughly 7,800 hours. She’s held many roles there, from soup kitchen volunteer to running their Thanksgiving Basket giveaway. Kids are always a focus of her efforts, so it’s no surprise that she’s also helped WNDU 16 News in South Bend, Indiana, with their Christmas Toys for Tots giveaway and has helped with Pack-A-Backpack projects. The Benton Harbor Area Schools Partners in Advancement of Learning in Schools also benefitted from her community-minded spirit. In her 17 years of service with the organization, she’s helped tutor countless students in reading, math, and writing. Lastly, Mason has served more than 6,720 hours at the Benton Harbor Farmers Market. She’s helped vendors set up booths, register consumers, and assist with questions and customer surveys. Mason’s care for her community is evident through her years of working in service roles. Her devotion, dedication, and longevity of volunteering are inspiring and have helped to change many lives.
Sarah Emmerson - Muskegon
Sarah Emmerson’s impact on literacy in her community spans decades, showcasing a remarkable commitment to empowering others through education. Since 1983, she has dedicated her time to tutoring and mentoring adult learners. After retiring in 2011, Emmerson’s passion for literacy led her to Muskegon, where she found a community needing her expertise and passion. She joined Read Muskegon and has devoted more than 20,000 hours to their mission of breaking the cycle of illiteracy in Muskegon County. Emmerson has not only worked with adult learners but has also improved community outreach, mentored fellow tutors, served on the Board of Directors, and assisted learners in securing employment and obtaining their GEDs.
Beyond Read Muskegon, Emmerson’s dedication to literacy includes the Coalition for Community Development, where she has served as lead volunteer since 2012. Her contributions as a library volunteer have also been instrumental, especially when budget cuts threatened local libraries. Emmerson has fostered a love for reading among students and provided invaluable mentorship and support. Her approach to volunteerism is driven by a deep belief in the power of words and actions to effect positive change. Emmerson’s’ lifelong dedication to literacy and community service embodies the transformative impact one individual can have on the lives of others.
Youth Impact Award
Individuals or organizations that support youth development. Candidates offer guidance, support, and encouragement to cultivate the positive and healthy development of an individual or group of youth in making a difference in their communities, state, and nation.
John Dorr- Bloomfield Hills
Proven to touch the lives of those around him, John Dorr has made significant impacts on youth throughout Michigan. He expressed his passion for mentorship when he became captain of his high school basketball team. He then continued to be a positive role model to the younger generations through over 30 years in education at the middle and high school levels. Dorr always provided a helping hand to students in need of additional tutoring. He often stayed after school to volunteer his time in hopes of student’s success. After Dorr’s retirement, he continued pursuing his love for sports and mentorship by volunteering at The Good Time Activity Club, Mentor Plus and the YMCA where he helped coach a variety of after-school sports. As a mentor at Mentor Plus, Dorr provided many young men in single parent households with a positive male role model and lasting meaningful relationships. One of Dorr’s mentees, who was dealing with a strained family situation, attended Mentor Plus from 8th grade till graduation. Throughout his time in the program, Dorr taught his mentee life skills and sports, and they even traveled new places together. Dorr’s mentee went on to join the Army and has started a job in IT with plans to move out on his own soon. This is just one of the touching stories of the many lives that John Dorr has touched and continues to impact through his service.
William Kitchen III - Muskegon Heights
William Kitchen III's journey from incarceration to community leadership embodies the transformative power of resilience. A former gang member, Kitchen embarked on a journey of self-reflection and growth while incarcerated. When released in 2021, Kitchen founded the Redemption Coalition, joined the Fresh Coast Alliance, and developed a curriculum based around chess to teach about impulse control, discipline, and structure. He brought the chess curriculum to Pathfinders of Muskegon and helped organize several poetry slams to give youth had an outlet to express themselves. He also helped organize large black history program. As a motivational speaker for the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office and the office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, he has spoken to more than 20 schools and routinely visits the Juvenile Detention Center. He now works with the Michigan Department of Corrections Office to guide adults as well. “The MDOC was at one point in my life my biggest adversary,” Kitchen said. “Now they are one of my greatest allies.” He is pursuing a degree with Grand Valley State University where he was tapped to co-teach a course on Interdisciplinary Studies. “[Kitchen’s] journey from incarceration to community leadership defies expectations, yet it epitomizes the transformative power of service,” said Dominique Bunker of United Way of the Lakeshore.
Destined for Greatness - Detroit
Shadora L. Ford overcame a childhood of abuse and poverty to find a Detroit-based mentoring nonprofit that is centered on empowering at-risk girls. Destined for Greatness has mentored more than 5,000 girls, ages 11 to 21. In 2016, Ford expanded the organization’s scope by creating the DFG Community Resource Center. Ford stated, “In order to heal a girl, you must first help heal her household. So, we started providing resources that help everyone from zero to 99, whether it's the mother, the grandmother, the child, even down to the dog or the cat.” The resource center provides diapers, wipes, baby formula, fresh food, produce, hygiene kits for men and women, incontinence supplies, new and gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories. Additionally, the center offers mental health and wellness services and physical health services outdoors during the warmer months. Destined for Greatness hosts at least one themed event per month to fundraise, collect donations, or perform community service. For example, January is healthy baby awareness month; February is centered on fostering participants’ self-love and respect; March “gladness” is all about community service and helping beautify Detroit; and so on. Ford has used her childhood challenges to change the City of Detroit from the ground up.
Steward Sustainability Leadership Institute 4-H Club -Novi
Members of the Steward Sustainability Leadership Institute Club (SSLI) meet twice a month to design and implement innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Serving Oakland County, Detroit, Lansing, and locations in India, the club, which is primarily youth-led, is made up of 70 high school students. However, it still ensures members have a refined educational curriculum, adult mentorship, and complete ownership over their projects. SSLI isn’t just a program for teens to learn more about climate change and sustainability; it’s a platform that gives youths the resources and guidance they need to pursue their passion for environmental sustainability. Youths have the opportunity to connect with community experts, like the Oakland County Chief of Sustainability, to build confidence in their ideas and gain the know-how to implement them. Some past projects have included planting a pollinator garden at MSU’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center, installing solar lighting in Groveland Oaks County Park, facilitating composting initiatives, collaborating on local and statewide environmental policy efforts, organizing community engagement and education events, and collaborating with sustainable businesses to gain practical business experience. By equipping our youth members with the knowledge and skills to take action, today, SSLI poises youth to impact the system and their community for good.
STEM Greenhouse - Grand Rapids
STEM Greenhouse, based in West Michigan, is dedicated to breaking down barriers in STEM education for underrepresented students. Formed in 2014 by Dr. Keli Christopher, a girl from an inner-city school who lacked confidence in math, STEM Greenhouse aims to address the lack of diversity within the STEM professions. With a hands-on approach, STEM Greenhouse provides a range of programs from 3rd to 12th grade, focusing on mentorship, leadership training, and academic support. These initiatives aim to foster a diverse, skilled STEM community, uplifting students, their families, and educators and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in STEM fields. Some of STEM Greenhouse’s programs include Kids Count STEM Club, designed for students in grades 3-5; Science, Agriculture, Gardening, and Ecology (SAGE), which provides a hands-on curriculum emphasizing sustainable practices and ecological awareness; Sankofa STEM Academy, a five-week summer program; STEM Scholars and STEM Scholars 2.0, an after-school initiative for middle and high school students respectively. STEM Greenhouse profoundly impacts its community by intricately tailoring its STEM educational initiatives to the nuanced needs of traditionally low-income, underrepresented students of color, who often have limited social and professional networks and may attend schools with high truancy rates. Each program enhances students' skills and confidence in STEM subjects and prioritizes creating meaningful connections.
Outstanding National Service Impact Award
Individuals that have served the country through the military or AmeriCorps, or successfully supports AmeriCorps members or veterans through volunteerism to make an impact in communities.
LaShaunta Waller – Mason
As a veteran, mother, and wife, Lashaunta Waller envisions a world where all boys and girls regardless of race, ethnicity, income level or social status, are nurtured and empowered to reach their fullest potential. To that end, in 2010 she founded A Garden of Hope, a nonprofit leadership development program in Mason that provides mentees with STEM programming, volunteer opportunities and health and wellness programming. GOH’s STEM programming gives mentees hands-on learning experiences through field trips and workshops. Its community service programs include neighborhood clean-ups and food drives, enabling mentees to make a tangible impact on thousands of lives. GOH also prioritizes health and wellness through free health screenings, wellness clinics, and accessible fitness programs. “My journey with Garden of Hope has been driven by a simple yet powerful belief that by serving others, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future for all,” Waller said. Her impact on each and every GOH mentee is profound. Lanisha Cooke, GOH mentor said “None of the mentees are related to [LaShaunta]…but they leave as family.”
Lois Westman - Ishpeming
Lois Westman has been serving with the Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti (MVHDJJ) for over 20 years. Over those 20+ years, she has accrued more than 3,500 hours of lifetime service. She credits her brother, David, a Marine veteran, for involving her with the American Legion Auxiliary. She is now a regular member of the ALA Unit 114 and a lifetime member of the AMVETS Auxiliary Post 122. It is through these organizations that Westman has served at the MVHDJJ. She has a special role that allows her to help plan, sponsor and execute specialty events at the Home. Another unique way that Westman volunteers is by singing and playing music on multiple instruments. No matter what she is assisting with around the house, she always assures to recognize the veterans and thank them for their service. Westman has become an incredibly instrumental part of the MVHDJJ. She was one of the first volunteers returning after the pandemic. She followed all of the strict protocols that were necessary for her to return to the Home. On top of her incredible dedication to MVHDJJ, she also serves at the Retired & Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP). Here, she raised over $32,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Walk through her and her sister's team. With her big grin and hearty laugh, Westman brings great joy to everything she does and everyone she serves.
Darcele Marie Robinson Cole - Flint
Darcele Marie Cole Robinson takes great pride in helping those in need in the community, which shows through her service work. She has made a tremendous impact through 4.5 AmeriCorps terms and beyond. Throughout her service, she has spent time educating others on social issues such as Opioids, suicide prevention awareness, domestic violence, substance abuse as well as other abuses that may be occurring. Darcele’s longest-tenured volunteer work is at St. Mark Baptist Church, where she has been involved since childhood. Over the 20,000 volunteer hours she has served, she has held many roles, such as administrator and supporting the youth. Another place Darcele has been heavily involved in is the Donation with Love Foundation. She is a devoted community advocate, dedicating herself to supporting those in need. Her remarkable impact spans educating others on critical social issues. Her tireless efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals.
Additionally, Darcele is an active member of the Genesee County Prevention Coalition and Serenity House, further demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Through all her service work, she has held helped support the most vulnerable in the community. Darcele’s tenacity and will to help those who may otherwise not be getting proper support is inspiring.
Sandra Miller – Crystal
Sandra (Sandy) Miller went above and beyond her job description during her time as a teacher at Lakeview High School. She continues to serve her community even after her retirement. Miller’s strong sense of giving back to her community stems from the support she received while growing up, raised by a single working mother after her father's death at a young age. She wants to give back to the community that played a significant role in shaping her life. She has made significant contributions to various organizations and initiatives, demonstrating a deep commitment to helping others. In various leadership roles, Miller organized events for the Parent Teacher Association, served on the Vestaburg School Board and the Richland Township Library Board. Among the initiatives she helped lead were the Crisis Response team, the first Sex Education Advisory Committees and the Drug Free Schools Chair. She also showed remarkable grant writing skills, securing over $150,000 in grants throughout her teaching career. Among the many community events she has volunteered for, she has been part of the Vestaburg Community Days committee for various years to bring together the community and raise money for those in need. Miller’s impact extends beyond her professional roles and community involvements. In her role as volunteer for the Montcalm CASA program, she has been a pillar of support for children and families. She uses her expertise as a former teacher to make a positive change in the lives of children. Community members praise Miller’s tireless efforts, describing her as a caring and giving individual who is always ready to assist with projects and initiatives. Her involvement in AmeriCorps/VISTA, hospice volunteering and the Volunteer Centers of Michigan further exemplify her commitment to serving others. Her impact on the community and the lives of those she serves is immeasurable. Her passion for making a positive difference continues to inspire others to volunteer, serve and give back. Program Director and Montcalm Court Appointed Special Advocate, Jamie Gorby, stated, “Our area is truly blessed to have Sandy Miller’s caring ways, vast knowledge and many skills continually at work to improve lives for all.”
Vachal L. Moore Jr. – Detroit
Vachal L. Moore, Jr. founded ChoZen Mentoring in 2018 to offer guidance, support, and encouragement to young people in the Detroit area. The organization fills an emotional, social, and professional programming gap through mentoring and life skills training. It currently serves more than 350 young men and women from the ages of 5 to18. A former member of the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program and a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Moore understands the important connection between community service and empowerment. ChoZen gives young men and women the tools to empower themselves to make decisions that preserves their freedom and their lives every day. According to Patricia Jones, a mentor at ChoZen Mentoring, “[Moore] gives back to not just youth, but his community. Anyone that knows him knows he has a heart to survive and will give the clothes off his back to get them what they need to be great.”
Community Impact Award
Individual or organization that successfully makes an impact in a Michigan community through volunteerism.
East Side Community Network - Detroit
Eastside Community Network (ECN) works to develop programs and resources that center the needs of Detroit’s Eastside residents and amplify their voices. It supports building healthy communities through wellness programs, economic development, and urban climate resilience. ECN serves a diverse community of about 50,000 residents that is challenged with environmental justice issues including poor air quality and frequent flooding. As a 40-year-old nonprofit, they have supported this community in many ways including youth development, business reinvestment, and neighborhood restoration. Since 2009, ECN has focused on the area’s environmental challenges. ECN is converting its headquarters into a Climate Resilience Hub that will support residents dealing with various climate change issues. ECN has offered community trainings in emergency preparedness and wintry weather education. It’s also facilitated specialized training sessions for community leaders and government organizations that strengthened these leaders' capacity to effectively coordinate and respond to community needs during emergencies. ECN also convened the Eastside Climate Action Coalition (ECAC) to drive policy change addressing residents’ climate and air quality concerns. These meetings have attracted government agencies, community leaders, and air quality advocates. By fostering collaboration, ECN empowers the community to collectively take charge and enhance resilience in the face of potential flooding events.
Dementia Friendly -Saline
Dementia Friendly’s mission is to help persons with dementia and those who care for them live with less difficulty, more dignity and a lot more fun. Their Friendly Day at the Movies program, in partnership with Emagine Entertainment, enables persons with dementia and their care partners to have a good time together. Up to 100 guests regularly attend the events, and the program is expanding to sites across the Midwest and beyond. Dementia Friendly Saline also organize twice-a-month Come as You Are Memory Cafés, Best Life Fairs and Festivals, and dementia-friendly shopping events, all of which provide social events for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Dementia Friendly also consults with businesses and organizations to make events, stores, and communities more dementia friendly. Since 2019, they’ve also presented more than 50 free 45-minute Dementia Friendly Practices information sessions. The existence of multiple dementia-friendly events and communities in Michigan is largely the result of the efforts of the group.
Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Circle- Detroit
The Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Circle (LEEC) is dedicated to providing economic security and mobility through entrepreneurship. The group serves the Metro Detroit area by focusing on the social and economic development of the community and its residents. The overarching goal is to improve the well-being of residents and empower families to achieve their dreams. LEEC uses advocacy and services that open doors and create economic opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, homeownership, business ownership and upward mobility. The group focuses on addressing economic and racial inequities through direct programs and community service projects that target racial disparities in educational and economic outcomes. LEEC actively engages in reducing barriers to services and increasing equity for households living below the ALICE Threshold. By addressing economic and racial inequities head-on, they strive to contribute to the economic growth of Detroit and broader, benefiting the economic security of all Americans, regardless of race.
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy - Galesburg
The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) is focused on protecting, restoring and caring for the lands, waters, people and wildlife in southwest Michigan. Since its founding in 1991, SWMLC has protected more than 19,000 acres. Its Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Groups have been key to this success. They’ve completed dozens of habitat restoration projects on nature preserves throughout the nine-county service area. Their work includes mowing trails, posting boundary signs, picking up trash, removing invasive plants like garlic mustard, and collecting and sowing native plant seeds. In 2017, they extended their own working season to year-round, working right through the winters. In 2023 alone, they logged 1,326 hours improving local habitat. Without their efforts, SWMLC’s small staff would not be able to give this land the attention it deserves. “We’re thankful to the Weekly Warriors -- not only for their valuable, loyal service – but because their positive attitudes, can-do spirit, and passionate commitment to the environment is genuinely inspiring,” said Amelia Hansen of SWMLC. “They remind us how fortunate we are to also be working for something that we care about – and the importance of finding a ‘reason to be.’”
Friends Sleeping Bear - Empire
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes partners with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to protect resources and heighten visitor experiences by recruiting volunteers to staff programs and raising money to fund their activities. With more than 1.5 million people visiting the Lakeshore annually, the Friends’ major programs include making the Lakeshore accessible to people with physical challenges; reducing emergency rescue assistance by stationing volunteers at critical points in the park to advise visitors about the risks associated with dune hikes and climbs; and operating and maintaining the 20-mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, keeping it safe, attractive, and fun for users. They also work with the Lakeshore to protect endangered species like the Great Lakes Piping Plover. As an all-volunteer philanthropic organization, the Friends depend on community support for volunteers to carry out our programs and for funding to pay for necessary tools, materials, and services. Currently, they have about 750 members and 250 active volunteers who donate time or money to the organization. Volunteer hours and financial support have grown steadily year over year, showing that the community increasingly values and supports the Friends' work. Their time and efforts are the reason why so many people can enjoy the Lakeshore in clean and safe ways.
