From the Commission on Children, Youth and Families

Some readers may remember me from sharing columns of interest in the past on spiritual and mental health issues.  I am now sharing with the communities of Farmington/Farmington Hills with a new hat on: Vice Chairperson of our cities Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. 

In this first article, I want to let you know about a project the Commission has been behind for most of its 20-year history. In April, the Commission will present its annual Volunteer of the Year awards. Judge Marla Parker, a proponent of the awards and a prime mover of this project, thinks of volunteerism as the backbone of our cities. 

We get so much done around things people do for no pay to make our two cities great places to live and work. Whether someone serves one of the cities or even the surrounding area on a board or committee, to those who work with a variety of human service programs through nonprofits, houses of worship, service clubs and other avenues all of which make possible the continuation and even the expansion of programs and activities for our citizenry which would not otherwise be possible. 

As I write this I hope that you, the reader, are already thinking about who you know – perhaps even yourself – who lends time and talent in some place or places around because I have a request to make of you in just a moment. 

As the Committee did its work it was discovered that volunteerism is so big it was hard to recognize all that is being done. For that reason, there are several awards, among which include an adult award, a youth award, different kinds of organization awards and the major award, The George Romney Award, for one who has so committed him/herself to so many things that they have made an exceptional effort. 

In the early days of the award, former Governor George Romney himself presented this highest achievement. Through much of the '90s, one of the Romney family members continued that tradition. Now the awards are presented at the Farmington Hills city council meeting, by members of the Commission on Children, Youth and Families (CYF). 

This year the award presentation is scheduled for the the Farmington Hills Council meeting on Monday, April 23, with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the awards presentation held at 7:30 p.m., as the first item of Council Business. 

Here is where you come in. You may access nomination forms by emailing Ed Cherkinski at echerkinsk@aol.com, and request one.  The information will tell the deadlines, where to send the completed form, and give more info on the awards and ceremony. 

Finally, please email me at pmelrose@samaritancounselingmichigan.com with any questions about our Commission and its work for our two cities.