The Salvation Army Honors Community Leaders, Businesses at its Annual Civic Awards Dinner
* Civic Awards attendees enjoy dinner
The Salvation Army hosted its annual Metro Detroit Advisory Board Civic Awards Dinner on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at the Detroit Athletic Club, presenting its most prestigious civic awards to deserving individuals and companies. The event was sponsored by Dr. Kurt and Polly Tech.
John Latella received the evening’s prestigious William Booth Award. Latella, co-Founder, president and CFO of Legacy Fantasy Sports, serves on The Salvation Army National Advisory board, is past chair of the Metro Detroit Advisory board and current campaign chair for The Salvation Army Detroit Connor Creek Capital Campaign. The award was presented by Dick Purtan.
* (Left to right) Lt. Colonel John Turner, Dick Purtan, John Latella, Dr. Kurt Tech, Major Bob Mueller
The Margaret Dunning Foundation was presented with the Others Award. Accepting the award on behalf of the foundation was Robin D. Ferriby, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Margaret Dunning Foundation. The foundation supports charitable programs in Michigan and educational programs focused on the automobile and transportation industries.
* Robin D. Ferriby accepts the Others Award on behalf of the Margaret Dunning Foundation
Three recipients were announced for the Doing the Most Good Awards, which recognize those who exemplify an extraordinary spirit of service and collaboration with The Salvation Army in times of need. Doing the Most Good Awards were presented to the following individuals and organizations:
- Keith and Anna Tack – Longtime Salvation Army donors and volunteers for more than 30 years. They have volunteered at Echo Grove Camp and Retreat Center and as annual bell ringers while involving their whole family in their volunteer activity.
- Tom and Meg Gordy – Longtime Salvation Army donors who volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Club Radiothon and the Bed and Bread Club program. They also host an annual Red Kettle Christmas party at their home, collecting thousands of dollars in donations from friends and neighbors.
- University of Michigan Ross Business+Impact Board Fellowship Program (accepted by Haley Philips, Student Program Manager) – A program which has provided more than 20 board fellows to the Metro Detroit Advisory Board. Members of the program have served and completed projects making a huge impact on The Salvation Army’s fundraising, partnerships, program and services expansions and overall management.
* (Left to right) Dr. Kurt Tech, Lt. Colonel John Turner, Tom Gordy, Meg Gordy, Keith Tack, Anna Tack, Haley Philips, Cat Johnson, Major Bob Mueller
Also addressed at the dinner:
- The reorganization of The Salvation Army’s Michigan divisions from east and west to a unified “Great Lakes Division,” the first reorganization of Michigan divisions in more than 100 years.
- The Connor Creek Corps Community Center expansion project is in the process of renovating and expanding its food pantry, building more classrooms and a high school gymnasium. It was made possible by Toyota Motor North America, the city of Detroit, advisory board members, numerous Salvation Army officers, and hundreds of donors.
- Detroit Harbor Light has completed a kitchen and dining room expansion and renovation after more than 30 years of operation. Patrick Thompson Design created a warm, cheerful and welcoming space for volunteers to serve the homeless of Detroit.
- The recent donation of $50,000 from Schostak Brothers and Company, a fourth-generation commercial real estate company. The donation was made as part of their 100th Anniversary Community Giving Campaign.
- Scott Wolffis, President and CEO of Commercial Alliance, was welcomed as the 2022 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Chair.
- Pam Callan, a Salvation Army volunteer bell ringer, was announced as The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s first Volunteer Bell Ringing Ambassador. She was presented with an official Ambassador bell.
* Jeffrey and Bobby Schostak
* Scott Wolffis speaks as the 2022 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign Chair
* Pam Callan receives the Ambassador bell from Lt. Colonel John Turner
Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. This past year, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing 2,140,278 meals, 405,630 nights of shelter for the homeless, 87,991 Christmas toys and gifts to children and shut-in seniors and 1,800 legal issues with resolution through the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at www.sagreatlakes.org