7710 West Saginaw Hwy
Lansing MI 48917
2022 Community Awards Nominees
Pictured (L to R): Supervisor Kenneth R. Fletcher, Citizen of the Year Rita LaMoreaux, Community Organization of the Year recipients Delta Community Choir member and Director Ellen McKenzie; Business of the Year Recipients Bryan Torok, Mary Torok, Gabriel Jones, Kerissah Ries, and Steve Fountain of The Smoke N’ Pig BBQ; Young Person the Year Brian Magaswaran, and Clerk Mary R. Clark.
Delta Township hosted the 16th Annual Delta Township Community Awards Event on October 27 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West. Over 150 people gathered to celebrate the outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations that were honored during the event.
The Township presented four awards this year including Citizen of the Year, Young Person of the Year, Business of the Year, and Community Organization of the Year. The Young Person of the Year recipient was also presented with a $2,000 Scholarship sponsored by the Delta Side Business Association.
The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Rita LaMoreaux. Rita LaMoreaux is a lifelong Delta Township resident who spent the whole of 30+ serving her community through various organizations. Giving back to her community is important to Rita. In 2005, Rita founded the Delta Township Historical Society, to aid in documenting and maintaining local historical artifacts related to our community. Rita has been a great supporter of community events. She and her husband Dave, not only support community events financially through personal sponsorships but are avid promoters and attendees. Additionally, Rita is Co-Chair of the Lansing Community College Alumni Committee, Youth Service Co-Chair and Grants Committee Chair of the Delta-Waverly Rotary Club, Capital Area College Access Network and Association of Fundraising Professionals Capital Region, and Treasurer of the Irish American Club of Mid-Michigan. Rita has received professional and community service awards for her service including the National Young Agent Liaison of the Year from the Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (2017) and Delta-Waverly Rotary Club Rotarian of the Year (2018).
The Young Person of the Year Award was presented to Brian Magaswaran. Brian Magaswaran is a senior at Lansing Catholic High School and was nominated for his dedication and excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and volunteerism. He is a member of the Lansing Catholic High School Band, the Varsity Tennis Team, and was named homecoming King. Brian has a passion for serving others which has led to his community service for numerous causes and organizations including Habitat for Humanity, and Religious Youth Programs, as well as being the founder and co-president of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica chapter at his school. Brian plans to continue his community service efforts by entering the medical field.
The Business of the Year Award was presented to The Smoke N’ Pig BBQ. Having always had a strong desire to open his own business, in the spring of 2016, Gabriel Jones decided to follow his dream and The Smoke N' Pig BBQ was born out of a desire to serve great food while serving his community. In partnership with family and close friends, the Smoke N' Pig BBQ grew from its humble beginnings as a traveling smoker and a couple of folding tables, to being Delta Township's first licensed food truck in 2017, to a storefront, with current plans to further expand. Over the course of their rapid growth, they have focused on serving excellent, award-winning food, which earned them first place for best ribs during the 2016 Smokin’ Jazz and BBQ Blues Fest in Brighton, Michigan. Since then, they have won numerous awards for their ribs and beef brisket. Gabe and his stellar food are also a staple in the community, providing support through the sponsorship of numerous benefits for various organizations, charities, local schools, and Township events including the Knights of Columbus, St. Gerard Church, Waverly High School Athletics, Lansing Catholic Athletics, and Cardboard Prophets where they help to feed the homeless population across the Lansing area. Additionally, co-owner Brian Torok volunteers as a member of the Delta Township Saginaw Highway Corridor Improvement Authority Board for the Township.
The Community Organization of the Year was presented to The Delta Community Choir. The Delta Community Choir is celebrating its 10th year as a community organization. Under the Direction of Ellen McKenzie, the choir has between 40-60 members, who donate their time and talent to making beautiful music to share with the community. The choir was created to build community through song by providing individuals with a forum for community service, music education, and self-expression through the choral arts. Additionally, through song, the choir brings people together to produce significant support for area non-profits. The choir does not charge admission to its spring and winter concerts; instead, concertgoers learn about a selected local nonprofit during the concert and then have the opportunity to make freewill donations to that organization at the conclusion of the performance. This enhances the quality of life for residents, who experience quality arts entertainment while supporting local causes that exist to further improve the quality of life for those less fortunate in our community. Through its performances, the Delta Community Choir has generated more than $36,000, with 100% of those dollars going to support local non-profit organizations, many of which are located in or are supporting the Delta Township community. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and recipients. Please find attached a photo of this year’s honorees.
Photo credit: Marvin Hall of Studio M Portraits
| Business of the Year Nominees | Community Organization of the Year Nominees |
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| Citizen of the Year Nominees | Young Person of the Year Nominees |
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