Donna Clancy’s voice overflowed with emotion as she accepted an accolade naming her Citizen of the Year during the Clarkston Community Awards Breakfast last week.
The event, now in its 22nd year, pays tribute to local individuals, groups and businesses who contribute to community enhancement.
Clancy was one of 11 individuals honored during the breakfast May 24.
‘Last night I was reminded,? she said, ‘that you’re nobody ’til somebody loves you.?
Clancy works with SCAMP, a non-profit organization providing a six-week summer day camp program for impaired children and young adults.
Although she dedicates a great deal of time and energy to SCAMP, Clancy has also served as ambassador for the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Clarkston Holiday Lights Parade, unit Marshall for the Red Wings Parade and venue manager of the International Association of Jazz Educators.
In 2005, she trained for the Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk in Dallas, contributed $5,000 of her own money and successfully finished the walk.
But, she said, without assistance and support from those around her, none of it would be possible.
‘I was thinking about it,? she said. ‘And I could never be who I am without the people who’ve helped me along the way. I have a way of finding people who can help me do whatever I need to do.?
Clancy, who began volunteering with SCAMP in 1992, and now serves as executive director of the organization’s funding corporation, said the award came as a surprise.
‘I was flabbergasted,? she said. ‘Number one, why me? And number two, who in the world thought to nominate me??
But over 200 family members, friends and other well-wishers gathered at Deer Lake Athletic Club’s banquet hall to honor Clancy and ten other honorees who have devoted time, energy and talent to making the community a better place to live and work.
‘It’s always wonderful, said Penny Shanks, executive director of Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, who hosted the event. ‘But we had a really nice selection of people this year, people who are humble about the work they do. Many of them were surprised to hear they were being recognized, because they don’t do it for the recognition.?
Oxford State Bank sponsored the gathering.
Nomination forms go out the first week in January, Shanks said, including direct mailings to all local nonprofit agencies, including organizations such as Optimist Club, Farm and Garden Club, SCAMP, and Rotary.
Neither the nominees nor the awardees need to be Chamber members.
‘It’s really important for people to take the time to fill out those forms and send them back,? Shanks said. ‘There are so many wonderful volunteers out there, and we can’t know who they all are.?
Fred Ritter, owner of Clarkston Auto Wash Co. on Dixie Highway, was named businessman of the year.
Ritter served as a long-time Chamber board member, township treasurer, and currently serves as president of the Midwest carwash association. He and wife Sheila helped found and host the ‘Open Your Heart for Lighthouse? fundraiser, and remain active on the committee.
Like Clancy and most others honored this year, Ritter has long been involved with the community, and like Clancy and others, his reaction was modest.
‘It’s a big deal to be recognized and I was very honored by it all,? he said. ‘But I don’t know anything I do is worth all of that.?
One of 12 children’he was number 10’Ritter learned from the example of his parents, who owned Ritter’s Farm Market and frequently gave away turkeys, pumpkins and other goods.
Like his parents, Ritter remains active in the community because ‘it’s the right thing to do.?
Ritter also offers educational incentives to his employees at the car wash, and donates to charitable causes around the community.
Although he had the breakfast crowd laughing during much of his acceptance speech, Ritter also used the opportunity to provide a somber reminder to friends and neighbors.
‘Things are very difficult in business right now,? he said. ‘You really need to do what you can to support your local businesses.?