By Wes Smith
Group Publisher
I had the pleasure last week of attending the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce 2022 Impact Awards held at the Paint Creek Country Club.
It was my first time attending the annual awards presentation that recognizes Orion Area businesspeople, nonprofit organizations, citizens and businesses for outstanding achievements in both business and service to community – people and organizations that have had a remarkable, positive impact on the greater Lake Orion area over the past year.
Many chambers of commerce and other community organizations hold similar events at this time of year, and I have attended many of them through the years. It’s a good thing for a community to acknowledge those individuals and organizations that have managed to go above and beyond the ordinary in serving their clients and their community. It is also a good thing to bring together their peers and other community leaders at an in-person event for that acknowledgment – something we missed during the height of the pandemic.
I looked forward to attending the OACC Impact Awards for a number of reasons – an occasion to meet new people, a chance to get together in-person with others to celebrate community and an opportunity to interact with my own team members outside the office.
It was also my first opportunity to meet new OACC president and CEO Joyce Donaldson who, along with her team, did an amazing job of planning and executing the Impact Awards program. Following introductions of the chamber’s board of directors, ambassadors and sponsors as well as local elected officials and legislative representatives and a delicious lunch, the awards ceremony itself got underway.
Impact Awards winners were named in five categories: Youth Impact, Community Beautification, Economic Impact, Entrepreneur of the Year and Business Person of the Year.
Jen Eriksen of the Oakland County Sheriff Orion Township Substation was honored with the 2022 Youth Impact Award for her work as a School Resource Officer in the Lake Orion Community Schools, including developing and delivering social media programs and vape education to the student population in Lake Orion.
Melisa Counelis, who presented the award, said in her remarks about Eriksen, “Jen has a huge heart for the youth in Lake Orion that pushes her to do her very best to protect the children we know and love on a daily basis.”
Lake Orion Sunrise Rotary Club was recognized with the Community Beautification Award for their ongoing project of establishing and growing a pollination park along the Polly Ann Trail.
“Not only did this have the immediate impact of attracting and supporting pollinators, but it also keeps components to our local ecosystems,” said Donaldson in presenting the award. Marc Vezina, Rotary President, accepted the award.
The Economic Impact Award went to General Motors Orion Assembly “in recognition of General Motors recently announced investment of $4 billion to upgrade the existing facility to build the new Chevy Silverado EV.
The expansion is expected to create more than 2,350 new jobs at Orion and retain approximately 1,000 current jobs,” said Steve Wandrie who presented the award to Reuben Jones, plant director.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Rachel West, owner of Malie Therapeutic, an individual who has shown incredible determination and wisdom beyond her years in establishing a successful and thriving business in the community.
Jimmy Johnson, owner of Graphic Takeover was named Business Person of the Year.
As with the other winners, Johnson’s acceptance speech was videotaped ahead of time and shown on a large screen at the awards program.
While the other videos were professional and conveyed the heartfelt thanks of the recipients, Johnson’s video stood apart.
In an homage to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Johnson’s video, complete with the classic font and music, depicted Johnson arriving at his shop, ala Mr. Rogers – changing his shoes, jacket and his trademark hat and taking the viewer through a typical day. It was hilarious and humble at the same time and demonstrated the spirit and attitude that Johnson brings to promoting local businesses through his business and his work with the chamber, which earned him the award.
I was truly uplifted by not only the achievements of the individuals and organizations recognized at the Impact Awards but also at the wide range of those being honored. The recognition of such a diverse field demonstrated to me the breadth and width of the Orion Area business and nonprofit community but also the cohesiveness of that community.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce for recognizing those in our community who serve and inspire.