The Lenawee Community Foundation made the difficult decision to postpone its 2022 Annual Meeting. Typically, the annual meeting brings together local individuals, organizations, and businesses while recognizing award recipients and the work of donors, volunteers, and community partners. Although disappointed that this special gathering would not happen this year, we look forward to celebrating our 25th Anniversary in September 2022 and that there is still much to celebrate!
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 county-wide 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.
Jackson Baker was selected to receive the 2022 Lenawee Leadership Award. Baker is a lifelong resident and active in many areas of advocacy throughout Lenawee County. He is a Tecumseh High School graduate, and co-owned and operated Baker Brothers, from 1986 to 2015. Baker and his wife Betty have been married for 34 years and together they have raised two children. Baker brings a wealth of experience to his council position and served as Mayor of Tecumseh for six years prior to his current term. Baker currently serves on the following boards and committees, City Council Study Session, Closed Meeting, Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority, the Employees Retirement Board, Chair of the Local Development Finance Authority, and City Council. Tecumseh City Government has been a model of consistency for a long time and Jack Baker’s leadership is primarily responsible. Baker is highly visible and easily accessible to every resident and understands the pulse of the city.
Two additional award recipients have been honored from the Lenawee Community Foundation. The Stubnitz Award and Incito Award were carried on when Lenawee Cares was established, as a campaign of the Foundation.
De’Angelo Boone is the 2022 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 Stubnitz. Boone is currently employed as the Community Outreach and Volunteer Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County and is the author of two books. He is the founder and Sr. Pastor of City of Refuge Ministries International and the founder/director of the Meal Assistance Program and was instrumental in the formation of the A3-All About Adrian Resident Coalition. Boone serves as the treasurer of the Adrian Human Relations Commission, the Vice President of the Community Action Agency Advisory Committee and is a board member of the ProMedica Charles & Virginia Hickman Hospital and the Community Action Agency of Lenawee. He volunteers as a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Resiliency Committee and the Southeast Michigan Migrant Resource Council. Boone works relentlessly in our community to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion. He advocates for individuals who are disenfranchised and isolated from resources and services.
The 2022 Incito Award recipient is William Southard. The Incito Award was established in 2011 to recognize a young person, age 40 or under, 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. Southard has been a Pillars Club Member of Lenawee Cares since inception and in January 2022 he became a member of the Lenawee Cares Advisory Board, promoting Lenawee Cares daily is a true passion. For the past 4 years Southard has served as the Vice-President of The Daily Bread and is currently serving as the President. Southard is a member of the Old National Bank Association and Community Engagement Committee.
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He volunteers his time serving on the Lenawee Community Foundation’s Knight Fund Grant Committee and is the Committee Co-Chair of the Lenawee County Association of REALTORS, in Adrian. Southard is a lifelong resident of Lenawee County and offers his time freely to assist with community endeavors, he is a positive influence, a role model for us all and he makes a difference in our community.
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 & 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 contact cynthia@lenaweecf.com. We look forward to collaborating with you.
