| Bill Sherman (from left) presents a community service award to Max Flaugher assisted by Dud Dauterman. (Photos courtesy of Bill Sherman) |
Three people were recently recognized with a community service recognition award at the annual dinner and
awards banquet for the Gleaners.
Portage Center Arbor of the Gleaners recognized Max Flaugher, Michele Kay Story and Isaac Shaffer. The
first two were presented at the banquet; while Shaffer received his award earlier this month.
Flaugher was recognized for his service for years of volunteer service to the athletic department at
Elmwood, including baking cookies for the softball team. He also attends many athletic events at the
school and is active in the community and with the school programs. Flaugher also takes meals to
shut-ins.
Story assists with the annual Elmwood Community Christmas food drive. She founded and operated an annual
Veteran’s Day banquet program. She is also the orginator and chairperson of the annual Wayne Community
Christmas parade. She is also an adviser of the Elmwood elementary student council, and assisted in
raising more than $80,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Story is also a participant in the annual Relay for Life. She assists with publicity and tickets for all
music events at the school.
| Michele Kay Story (above) & Isaac shaffer (below) honored. |
For his age, Shaffer has accomplished quite a bit. The Relay for Life participant for three years has
also delivered coats and blankets to Cherry Street Mission, Toledo. He has participated in the Join
Hands Day at Jerry City Cemetery, spring clean-up, plant trees and mulched for three years. He has also
helped clean-up Portage Township Park, including planting trees, flowers and mulched around the
playground. He has also helped with the township’s recycling for nine years. In two big disasters, he
has helped with the flood clean-up in Ottawa and tornado clean-up in Walbridge.
At Mt. Zion United Brethren Church in Wayne, he operates the sound system and PowerPoint for services.
Shaffer has also cleaned up yards and stacked wood for senior citizens and served food at the senior
meal.
The award is presented to individuals who work at the local or grass-roots level and live by the true
spirit of volunteerism which is the cornerstone of the fraternal benefit system.
Each participant received a clock award, a $25 cash donation to the charity of their choice and a $1,5000
accidental life insurance policy from the Gleaner Life Insurance Society.
