After a four-year hiatus, one of the Rotary Club of Oxford’s most prestigious community service awards has returned and this year’s recipient is none other than Mr. Gary Lepak, owner of Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub.
‘I think it’s very special. It means a lot to me,? Lepak said. ‘It’s not something I wanted to go out and try to get, it’s just something that comes down the path.?
‘If you understand your passion and you live it day-to-day ? eat, sleep and breathe it as I do ? you accept what comes with it.?
Oxford’s Rotarians will present Lepak with the coveted G.E. Meads Award at a special noon luncheon Tuesday, June 6 in the Rotary Community Room at the Oxford Public Library.
Created in 2000, the award is named for Dr. G.E. Meads, a local dentist who helped found the Rotary Club of Oxford in 1937 and served as its first charter president.
The award is presented to non-Rotarians who exemplify the club’s motto ‘Service Above Self? by making significant contributions to the community.
Past G.E. Meads Award winners include Mildred Schmidt, Diane Offer, Duane Salswedel and the late Ian Smith, who received the last one in 2002.
After deciding to re-establish the award, the club received six nominations for it, all deserving individuals and upstanding members of the community.
Eventually ballots were distributed to club members who ‘overwhelmingly? voted for Lepak, according to Judy Doublestein, who serves on the award committee.
Rotarian Marilyn Duguid nominated Lepak for this honor.
‘Ever since he opened his restaurant (in April 2000), Gary has been a vital part of this community by generously donating his time, food and staff for any and all of Oxford’s festivals and projects,? she wrote in her nomination letter.
Oxford Township Parks and Recreation, Oxford-Orion Kiwanis Club, Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Red Cross, Oxford Area Community Schools, Ronald McDonald House, sports teams, youth groups, church groups ? the list goes on and on when it comes to all the various groups and organizations Lepak and his restaurant have contributed to or partnered with to help make a difference in others? lives.
‘We get a long list of people that come to us,? Lepak said. ‘We definitely try to be fair and give everybody something.?
‘He does whatever is asked as long as it is beneficial to all concerned in the community,? Duguid wrote. ‘All this is done with graciousness, humility, a big smile and a huge heart. There is nothing that is unimportant to Gary.?
‘You’re here to provide not just service to people in the restaurant, but the people in the community,? Lepak said. ‘When I was growing up, my dad was in business and he always contributed to organizations and clubs. That’s what I believe in as well.?
‘It’s not about ourselves. It’s about everybody around us,? he noted.
Lepak particularly enjoys partnering with other businesses or groups to aid a cause such as he does with Pet Supplies Plus to benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind or with the Detroit Shock to help The March of Dimes or Children’s Hospital.
In August, Kalloway’s will partner with the Oxford Firefighters Association to raise money for the association and U-M Burn Center.
‘Working relationships are better than working as individuals,? Lepak said. ‘A little bit of something goes along way, especially if everybody puts a little bit in.?
‘I think it’s important that all of us understand that we need to help each other,? he explained. ‘We need to work together to help this community stay strong and grow.?
In the end, Lepak said he owes his G.E. Meads Award, his restaurant’s success and all the good community work he does to the patience and understanding of his loving wife Michele and daughter Jenna, 17.
‘My wife and daughter are the ones who really sacrifice, probably more than I do, because I’m not there to do things with them on a day-to-day basis,? he said. ‘They’ve sacrificed more because I’m having fun doing what I’m doing and they know it. They give me the opportunity to do that.?