Elizabeth Andrews said, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time. They just have the heart.”
All year long we celebrate donors, volunteers, community members, past award recipients and all of you who may have shared their hearts, assets, skills or time to build a better community.
The annual meeting brings together local individuals, organizations and businesses while recognizing award recipients and the work of donors, volunteers and community partners. On Thursday, April 27, we will celebrate three individuals that excel beyond community expectation.
The Lenawee Leadership Award honors a person or couple who exemplify the underlying principle that the future of our county will be determined by the quality of its leadership. Formerly known as the Maple Leaf Award, previous recipients continue to be recognized and are listed on the Foundation’s website. The prestigious award has a countywide focus that mirrors the Lenawee Community Foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life in Lenawee and increase health, happiness and hope for us all.
Charles H. Gross was selected to receive the 2023 Lenawee Leadership Award. Gross is a lifelong resident and active in many areas of advocacy throughout Lenawee County. He has shown exemplary community leadership and volunteerism through his participation in city government, nonprofit organizations and as a longtime business owner. Gross and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 39 years and together they have raised three children. Gross has served on numerous boards and committees, such as the Tecumseh Chamber, Tecumseh DDA, Herrick and Bixby hospital boards, Stubnitz Foundation, Lenawee Chamber and HOPE Community Center. His roles as chair of the committee to build the Canopy Walk at Hidden Lake Gardens and chair of the committee to build the the AJ Smith Recreation Center inspired others to make donations and bring these projects to reality. Gross has served on the Lenawee Community Foundation’s board for 25 years, serving on the executive board for 24 of those years, and two years as chairman of the board. Gross leads by example, wears his heart for our community on his sleeve, and inspires others to follow and act.
Harry “Dusty” Steele is the 2023 recipient of the Stubnitz Award. The Stubnitz Award is presented annually to a person or couple demonstrating exemplary commitment to Lenawee Cares, our community and volunteerism in Lenawee. The award is named in memory of Lenawee’s philanthropist and businessman Maurice Stubniz. In addition to running his business, HB Steele Interactive Financial Planning, Steele gives of his time, talents and treasures. Steele’s board of directors seats include Siena Heights University, city of Adrian Downtown Development Authority (Adrian Main Street), Kiwanis Club of Adrian (also the finance committee), Lenawee Development Finance Authority of the city of Adrian and Tecumseh, and Kiwanis Regional Trail Authority. Steele’s leadership has helped the growth of Siena Heights University’s campus and student body, the YMCA of Lenawee County’s capital campaign success, adding bike lanes to the downtown streets, the establishment of Launch Lenawee and so much more. Steele has an innate ability to help businesses and organizations realize their vision as an organization and in many ways becomes a part of that vision and work. Steele is an incredible example of a servant leader who takes pride in his hometown community.
The 2023 Incito Award recipient is Austin See. The Incito Award was established in 2011 to recognize a young person, age 40 or younger, who has emerged as a community leader and demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership with Lenawee Cares and other organizations in our community. See currently is employed at Share the Warmth of Lenawee where he is an amazing role model for the guests of the shelter, and in 2018 became a city councilman for the city of Tecumseh. See can be found volunteering most days for the city of Tecumseh, the Tecumseh Farmers Market, numerous positions on the Tecumseh American Legion Color Guard, helping build a Lenawee County Veteran Coalition, as a member of the Tecumseh Kiwanis, and the Tecumseh American Legion. See volunteers for the Lenawee Community Foundation and is running the Share the Warmth Cares Campaign with shelter staff. He continuously reaches out to share what an amazing community we have in Lenawee County, he is a positive influence, a role model for us all, and his tireless boots on the ground attitude makes a difference in our community.
You can see there is much to celebrate in Lenawee County and at the Lenawee Community Foundation’s annual meeting breakfast. Would you like to join in the celebration? If so, don’t miss our annual meeting breakfast from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. April 27 at the Adrian Armory Events Center. The $20 cost includes breakfast. Reservations and payment are due by April 19, by contacting the Foundation at 517-263-4696.
Thank you for helping to celebrate three outstanding community members and collaborating with us to build a better today and tomorrow for Lenawee County. You truly are the backbone of the Lenawee Community Foundation.
The Lenawee Community Foundation works to assist people in creating legacies and investing in Lenawee. You can donate $30 to send Imagination Library books to a preschool child for a year; volunteer; leave 10% in your will or trust to benefit Lenawee; endow annual gifts to your favorite nonprofits or make gifts or bequests for your hometown. Contact the Foundation for help in creating your legacy. Gifts and legacies work for Lenawee County. Now and forever.
Additional information about the Lenawee Community Foundation or any of its programs or services can be obtained by calling 517-263-4696.
Cynthia Heady is the director of development and external engagement of the Lenawee Community Foundation. Your Community Foundation assists individuals, corporations and organizations in fulfilling their charitable goals for our community. For information on how to get involved with the Lenawee Community Foundation and help to build a better community, call 517-263-4696 or contactcynthia@lenaweecf.com. We look forward to collaborating with you.
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