The city of Southfield is seeking nominations for the Greg Kennedy Community Service Award to honor members of the community who exemplify the characteristics of the late Greg Kennedy. All nominations are due by November 1, 2017.

The award was originally established in 1999 to honor the legacy of community activist Greg Kennedy by encouraging other residents to engage in public service. Greg Kennedy was one of Southfield’s first residents and demonstrated his commitment to the City throughout his entire lifetime. Although he never ran for office, he was devoted to civic issues and regularly attended City Council meetings for many years. He established the City’s Homeowners Coalition and annually sent numerous low-income children to attend the Shriner’s Circus. He arranged for transportation and bought tickets for hundreds of children over the years. Making sure people weren’t forgotten was another of Greg Kennedy’s missions. Every Thursday, he visited senior homes in Southfield to help out, entertain, and listen.  He was an outspoken advocate for seniors and young people alike and was known for standing up for other people’s rights.

The Greg Kennedy Community Service Award is intended to:

• Recognize and encourage volunteerism in the City of Southfield;
• Raise public awareness of the many areas within the City that benefit from volunteer commitment; and
• Recognize unsung heroes who represent the characteristics of the late Greg Kennedy and his commitment to Southfield and its residents.

Criteria
Nominees must be a Southfield resident for at least the past five years who is involved in the community and exemplifies community spirit through their attitude, activities and volunteer efforts.

The following criteria should be considered when nominating someone for this honor:

1. Service: Nominees should be recognized for their service to the City of Southfield, Southfield Schools and PTAs, religious organizations, senior citizens’ groups, youth organizations, and/or its residents. The nominee’s volunteer activity should be exemplary in community service and involvement.
2. Character: Nominees should embody and demonstrate qualities of Greg Kennedy’s personal character including compassion, community dedication, and service to Southfield.
3. Impact: The nominee’s activities should demonstrate a long-term commitment to community programs and activities. The nominee’s service has made an impact or difference to the community.
 

Nomination Process
Nominations are due by November 1 and can be downloaded below or in print at City Hall. Nominations for this prestigious award are reviewed by the City’s Total Living Commission with recommendations made to Southfield City Council. The City Council recognizes one resident annually with the Greg Kennedy Community Service Award as merited. The award is presented at a televised City Council meeting in December if a deserving candidate is nominated.

Nomination Questions
Please provide, in 150 words or less, a brief biography of your nominee. Assume the judges know nothing about your nominee. Please be as descriptive as possible because this statement will help in the selection process. Include a brief summary of the nominee’s volunteer service activities.  Please provide information about how long the nominee has lived in the community, community-related hobbies and other interests, relevant job or family information. Please elaborate on your Nominee Summary by addressing the following points in no more than 500 words.

1. Volunteer Service Activity
Please provide a detailed description of the nominee’s volunteer service activity in Southfield.
2. Accomplishments
What has the nominee’s volunteer service activity accomplished? Cite specific results and achievements and explain the impact the service has had on the community.
3. Anecdotes
Discuss how this nominee exemplifies the spirit of the Greg Kennedy Award, whether it is a personal story, a unique characteristic, or facts and figures.

Since its inception, there have been only three past recipients of the award, including: Samuel P. Havis in 2000; Jacqueline Nelson in 2001; Muriel Zweigel in 2003; and Jon Adams in 2016.

For more information, call Southfield Community Relations at 1-248-796-5130.

Greg Kennedy Community Service Award Application (PDF)