United Way of South Central Michigan (Battle Creek Kalamazoo Region) and Gryphon Place are honored to recognize 19 individuals or groups of volunteers who were nominated for the 2022 STAR Awards.

The STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Celebration and Community Volunteer Awards have long been a time to volunteers for their contributions of time, talent, and energy within the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. We would like to sincerely thank each one of our nineteen volunteers, as follows:

STAR AWARD RECIPIENT, ORGANIZATION NAME

• Ward Webb, Tillers International
• Western Michigan University Social Work Interns, KPS and Gryphon Place
• Fire Keepers Casino Hotel, S.A.F.E Place
• Eduardo Osorio, El Concilio and Kalamazoo Literary Council
• Alisia Lindsay, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers
• Kathy Antaya, SHARE Center (w/ several other organizations and initiatives)
• Amber Haffner, Kalamazoo YWCA
• Union Counselors Community Services Committee, Tri County Labor Agency Food Bank
• Volunteer Mentors, SCORE Kalamazoo Southwest Michigan
• Charyl Jones, Eric Bird, Javon Dobbs; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan
• Jeffrey Bright, Kalamazoo Youth for Christ
• Dave McLean, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center
• Charlie Livingston, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center
• Sparrow & Nest Designs, Kalamazoo YWCA
• Mike Branch, Milestone Senior Services
• Mitch & Vicki Joffe, Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of SW Michigan)
• Chuck Ford, Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of SW Michigan)
• Barbara Felkel, Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of SW Michigan)
• Ava Mendes, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center

Both UWSCMI and Gryphon Place would like to thank all volunteers for their outstanding work and dedication to serving our communities. This year, in lieu of an in-person awards ceremony, all nominees will be honored and awarded with a certificate of recognition, showcasing their commitment and dedication to our community.

We also would like to announce our “STAR Award Spotlights,” which will be posted to the United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages each Saturday and Sunday until the weekend of November 19. Each Spotlight will focus on a different volunteer or group and their work within their respective organizations.

If you are looking for ways to give back to your community during this time, you can visit www.gryphon.org/volunteer.