DELTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Delta Township hosted the 14th Annual Delta Township Community Awards Event on October 22 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West. Over 200 people gathered to celebrate the outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that were honored during the event.
The Township presented seven awards this year including: Citizen of the Year, Young Person of the Year, Business of the Year, Community Organization of the Year and three Community Enhancement Awards. The Young Person of the Year recipient was also presented with a $2,000 Scholarship sponsored by the Delta Side Business Association.
The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Daren S. Bebee. Daren has served the residents of Delta Township for fifteen years as a member of the Parks, Recreation & Cemeteries Commission where he was an integral part of helping to guide several events and projects including the Delta Township Fireworks and Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Daren served as chair during the transition between Parks Department Directors and was very instrumental in leading the commission as the Township planned and developed the new Mount Hope Park, expanding amenities and maintaining current parks. He lead the commission in the recommendations to the board for grant funded projects from 2014-2018 including a land acquisition grant for the purchase of 60 acres which is now a part of Mount Hope Park. the Delta Mills Pickleball Courts, Hawk Meadow and Delta Mills restroom buildings, Willow Canoe Launch, Delta Mills Park Canoe Launch and park renovations, Old River Trail Pathway, and Mount Hope Park (Phases I/II) and neighborhood pathway.
The Young Person of the Year Award was presented to Shadrach "Shad" Cunningham, who is a senior at Waverly High School. He was nominated for his dedication and excellence in academics, athletics, and volunteerism. Shad excels in the classroom and in his athleticism as the captain of the varsity soccer team and as a member of the varsity football and track teams. In addition to school and athletics, Shad also stays active in the community. He referees youth soccer and football games for Delta Township Parks & Recreation and coaches youth in soccer for the Waverly Futbol Club (WFC). Shad has volunteered as a counselor in training at the Westside YMCA, as well as for the Detroit World Medical Relief Center with the Spanish Honors Society.
The Business of the Year Award was presented to the Crowne Plaza Lansing West Hotel. The Crowne Plaza has for many years, been a leader in community involvement and support here in Delta Township. In addition to playing host to numerous community events including the Community Awards, they also donated countless hours of staff time and services for various other community events including the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son Dance, Breakfast with Santa, the Monster Mash Dance, and so many more. For the community awards program alone, hotel manager Cindy Bowen and her staff have donated in excess of $75,000 in goods and services to the citizens of Delta. The Crowne Plaza has continually set a stellar example of public/ private partnership when it comes to serving the public.
The Community Organization of the Year Award was presented to Lansing Seventh-Day Adventist Community Services Center. Since the early 1970's, the Seventh-Day Adventist Community Services Center has served Delta Township residents and the surrounding communities with a number of projects. In 2018, there were 4,135 volunteer hours from 21 volunteers where they organized and ran a clothing bank, food pantry, gave medical rides, created and delivered Thanksgiving food baskets, conducted adult learning seminars, and conducted Quit Nicotine Clinics. Additionally, the volunteers engaged the congregation's youth in many of these projects, exposing our leaders of tomorrow to the gift of caring and sharing. The organization has provided 3,286 households with food assistance, distributed 30,352 food items, assisted 2,758 people with clothing needs, and provided 969 bedding and household items to those in need. In total, the organization has donated nearly $40,000 in volunteer hours to help the community.
Three Community Enhancement Awards were given to the following recipients:
Group 10 Management Company, which bought and redeveloped the deteriorating property at 633 N. Canal Rd, formerly the Days Inn Hotel. They demolished the old building through the use of Brownfield credits and constructed the Hilton Garden Inn, Outback Steak House, Starbucks, Super Cuts and SVS Vision.
Group 10 Management Company, which bought and redeveloped the deteriorating property at 633 N. Canal Rd, formerly the Days Inn Hotel. They demolished the old building through the use of Brownfield credits and constructed the Hilton Garden Inn, Outback Steak House, Starbucks, Super Cuts and SVS Vision.
Percy Bean & Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, redeveloped the aged and crumbling property at 4324 W. Saginaw Hwy. that was the home of several small businesses. He demolished the old building and constructed a new building which now houses Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, U Break I Fix, and Athletico.
Hurand-Rosenbaum Partnership redeveloped the property at 4421 W. Saginaw Hwy. that was once home to Jackie's Diner. The group demolished the old building and constructed a new building which now houses Tropical Smoothie.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees. Please find attached a photo of this year’s honorees.
Want to learn more about great things happening in mid-Michigan? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Appleand Android
and
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
