The Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township recently finalized the elements of the Ray Weingartz Award that celebrates the legacy of the late Ray Weingartz, a business leader, philanthropist, and dedicated Kiwanian who lived his life in service to others.

Club president Janice Maiorano said the award recognizes individuals whose generosity, leadership and dedication exemplify Weingartz’s values and who contribute meaningfully to their community.

“The Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township is proud to announce the Ray Weingartz Award, created to honor Ray’s tremendous contributions to Kiwanis and our community,” she said.

People may nominate, and give the award to, someone they know, or they can make the contribution of $1,000 to the club’s foundation and receive the award for themselves.

The proceeds from the award benefit the Kiwanis Club of Utica, Michigan Foundation, supporting its “Four Pillars”: hunger, addressing food insecurity in the community; literacy, promoting education and access to resources; mental health, supporting initiatives that foster well-being; and service-leadership, empowering future leaders through mentorship and service opportunities.

The recipient receives a custom plaque inscribed with their name and the month and year of recognition and a numbered medal. The award recognizes their generosity and dedication to extending the Kiwanis mission ensuring Weingartz’s vision of “Changing the World, One Child and One Community at a Time” lives on.

“He was not only a great supporter of Kiwanis, but of the Knights of Columbus and he served on many Catholic and community boards. I am sorry I never had the pleasure of meeting him. He passed in 2016 and I joined the club in 2019,” she said. “We will have two display plaques. One will be at Weingartz Utica, the other we hope to display at Filippa’s.”

Weingartz Utica is one of the locations of the outdoor equipment stores operated by the Weingartz family.

There was a special lunchtime meeting at Filippa’s Restaurant in Shelby Township to debut the award and honor Weingartz, attended by members of his family.

“The idea of the award has been well-received from the community. Many people knew Ray and how generous he was and agreed it would be a great honor to receive an award in his name. Though many have expressed he would have never liked the public recognition, it’s a beautiful way to honor his memory. This award serves as a reminder of the profound influence one individual can have and invites others to join in continuing Ray’s legacy of leadership and service,” Maiorano said.

A tribute to Ray Weingartz on the club’s website reads: “(He) exemplified the ideals of service, integrity, and community leadership. Guided by his unwavering faith, Ray built a business that was not only successful but also deeply rooted in his values of serving others and glorifying God. His dedication to excellence and his belief in hard work and honesty made him a respected leader in his industry and a mentor to many. Ray believed that a business could thrive while prioritizing integrity, supporting its employees, serving its customers, and giving back to the community. This vision became the cornerstone of his life’s work. Ray’s philanthropic efforts were as remarkable as his business accomplishments. He saw himself as a steward of the blessings he had received and worked tirelessly to share them with those in need. From providing financial support to build wells in Africa to lending his expertise to charitable organizations, Ray’s generosity knew no bounds. The Ray Weingartz Award honors his enduring commitment to faith, family, and community by celebrating those who, like Ray, lead with purpose and serve selflessly.”

A few other projects the club does for the community include: book bingo, support for Kids on the Go, a back-to-school backpack giveaway, Blessing Box, outdoor community pantry, and Michigan State Police Trooper Explorer Program.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township, contact Maiorano at 248-549-3838 Ext. 326 or jmaiorano@ourcuonline.org. See uticashelbykiwanis.org/ray-weingartz-award for information about the award.

Lions Club event raises scholarship funds

The Selfridge Chesterfield Lions Club and the nonprofit American Business Women’s Association Suburban Connection Charter Chapter hold a Dueling Pianos Mexican Fiesta Night fundraiser 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The show and Mexican themed dinner (includes cash bar) is at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lempke-Backwell Post 7573, 35011 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore. Tickets are $40 per person. Contact Debbie Bernard at 586-615-2818 or see abwa-suburban.org/events

The two groups are dedicating the proceeds from the event to educational purposes.

The Lions club provides two $1,000 scholarships to L’Anse Creuse seniors for college expenses, and the ABWA budgets $2,000 each year for grants and scholarships to female community members seeking post-secondary education, including master’s or doctorate degrees. ABWA also provides opportunities for members to offset the costs of professional growth.

The Selfridge Chesterfield Lions Club provides food baskets during holiday seasons, sponsors Leader Dogs for the Blind, Blind Bowlers, Bear Lake Camp for those with visual and hearing impairments and diabetes, and Penrickton Center for children who have multiple disabilities including blindness.

“We also assist community members in acquiring glasses or hearing aids and provide and serve meals monthly at the Salvation Army,” Bernard said.

VFW Buddy Poppy Days are here

Veterans of Foreign Wars posts collect money at this time of year to help veterans and contribute to their neighborhoods and communities. Most posts, such as VFW Old Settlers Post 4659 in Shelby Township, send their troops out into public spaces to trade paper poppies for coins and bills dropped into their canisters. However, VFW Bruce Post 1146 in St. Clair Shores holds a drive-through drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4-6. The post is at 28404 Jefferson Avenue.

Females vets invited to free lunch

Women in the military and women veterans are invited to “an afternoon of creativity and camaraderie, free lunch, a DIA art experience, and giveaways” 12:30-4 p.m. May 3 at Waltonwood Lakeside, 14750 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights. For more information, contact Elizabeth Leonhard at 248-318-9956 or eleonhard@eastersealsmorc.org. RSVP is required.

Send news of service clubs and veterans organizations to Linda May at lindamay@ameritech.net or call landline 586-791-8116.