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Clinton County News
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© 2011 Lansing Community Newspapers
Your very own newspaper since 1856
Vol. 155 - No. 42
www.ClintonCountyCommunityNews.com
October 30, 2011
Minnick receives William Patton Award Sue Lounds
Her list of contributions to children and families both in mid-Michigan and ST. JOHNS – The Clinton in Central and South AmerCounty Chamber of Comica is very long. But some merce presented its annual of the highlights are list awards at a special lunhere. Fourteen years ago, cheon meeting Oct. 20. Minnick started the Baby This year’s recipient of Pantry to serve the needs the William Patton Award of parents and families. is Molly Minnick. Brenda Baby Pantry began in St. Martinez received the John’s Lutheran Church, Ambassador of the Year but outgrew that location award and Kroger and moved to First Conreceived the Business of gregational Church. Last the Year award. year, Baby Pantry served The prestigious Patton more than 6,700 people and Award originated 25 years distributed more than five ago and is named for a man tons of food. Baby Pantry who exemplified commualso hosts an annual Christnity service, professionmas party for more than alism, religious 100 children and their parinvolvement and the highents. In addition to a est standards of moral festive brunch, the party character and conduct, includes gifts for every according to Joann Martis, child in attendance. who is the former director Minnick is an active of the Clinton County member of First CongregaChamber of Commerce tional Church serving as a and who presented this lay minister, liturgist, Chilyear’s award. dren in Worship leader and “Recipients conform to moderator of the Board those same high standards of Ministry. She has made of conduct and honor several mission trips to Patton lived by,” said Mexico to help set up medMartis. Minnick and her ical clinics for children husband, Dr. David Minnand families through Chilick, moved to St. Johns 21 dren of the Dump Ministry years ago. Since that time, program. In March of this she has been a very active year, she travelled with 19 member of the community other people to Peru on a and the mid-Michigan area. medical mission. slounds@lsj.com
LJ-0100120442
In 2010 Minnick was recognized as the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Volunteer of the Year. That year she also organized the first St. Johns Community Thanksgiving Dinner, a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone in the community. She is currently working on the planning for this year’s free Thanksgiving dinner. Minnick has chaired the Clinton County annual fall Community Health Fair for several years, and the list goes on, and on. She still finds time for her paid job as a certified infant mental health social worker specialist at Gratiot County Community Mental Health. And she works out regularly and competes in triathlon –swimming, biking and running. And, Minnick is also a wife, mother of four and grandmother. Her resume certainly validates her nomination for the Patton Award, as Martis pointed out when she made the presentation. “Molly has such a passion for children and her community that this recognition of her efforts is truly deserved,” said Martis. But Minnick is a very
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Molly Minnick is the recipient of Clinton County Chamber of Commerce William Patton Award for 2011. Pictured with Minnick are Chamber president Dave Hudgens and Joann Martis, former director of the Chamber. COURTESY PHOTO humble woman. “I was so surprised,” she said when congratulated on the recognition. “I never expected anything like this.”
Ambassador of the Year Brenda Martinez, this year’s Ambassador of the
Year, represents Capital Area Community Services, Head Start in the Chamber of Commerce, but she is also an active member of the Chamber Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are vital members of the Chamber of Commerce. They meet once a month to talk about new businesses,
new ownerships, business improvements and Chamber events. They attend many ribbon cuttings and make visitations to new businesses or those that request a visit after a major renovation or change in ownership. Ambassadors also help See AWARDS, Page 4
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