2025 Awards Nominations
You are invited to submit nominations for awards to be presented at the 2025 Michigan Week Community Awards Celebration on Friday, May 9, 2025.
What stories of selfless service will help shine a bright light on the mission and vision of your organization, as expressed through the effort of volunteers or those who have distinguished themselves by professional accomplishments that go beyond their job duties for the good of the community?
All nominations must be submitted electronically starting Friday, January 3, 2025, and received by Friday, February 14, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. No nominations can be accepted after that date.
Honorees will be selected by the Awards Committee. Below are award categories and award nomination opportunities.
AWARD CRITERIA: See each category:
- All enrollees and nominees must either live, work, volunteer or attend school in Greater West Bloomfield – Cities of Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Sylvan Lake or West Bloomfield Township. These are the participating communities in the Michigan Week Community Awards.
- Previous award recipients are ineligible for the same category. All honorees from 1972 to 2021 are listed at MichiganWeek.org.
- All recognition is based on individual or group nonpolitical nonpartisan voluntary service.
- All categories are competitive, except the Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Treasures Honor Roll; the Awards Committee selects honorees; Awards Committee decisions are final.
- Nominations must be submitted by someone who is not related to the nominee.
- All nominations must be submitted via one of the links below or listed at MichiganWeek.org.
- Volunteer service provided by nominees is not limited to Greater West Bloomfield – Cities of Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Sylvan Lake or West Bloomfield Township – or the State of Michigan.
- No individual or organization may nominate more than one person in any award category.
Nominations open Friday, January 3 and continue through Friday, February 14 at 11:59 PM.
NONCOMPETITIVE RECOGNITION CATEGORIES
Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Treasures Honor Roll (formerly Hidden Treasures Honor Roll)
The Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Treasures Honor Roll is an inclusive recognition. Leaders of organizations, businesses, clubs, faith community congregations, nonprofits, public agencies and schools in Greater West Bloomfield – Cities of Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Sylvan Lake, or West Bloomfield Township – are invited to enroll one volunteer or one group in the Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Treasures. The nominator and the individual or group enrolled MUST be part of the same organization, business, club, congregation, nonprofit, public agency, school or school district.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Youth Volunteer Leadership Awards
Youth Volunteer Leadership Awards are presented solely at the discretion of the District Superintendent and Private/Parochial School Headmaster/Principal to an exemplary student.
For School District Superintendents and Private School Headmasters Only.
COMPETITIVE RECOGNITION CATEGORIES
Volunteer Service Award
Volunteer Service Awards recognize individuals who freely offer their time and talents to make a difference in their neighborhood, their county, their state or the world. These are the people we think of when we hear the word “volunteer”. Their participation makes an impact.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Community Achievement Award
Community Achievement Awards honor community-based organizations for a project or endeavor that brings together several people and/or organizations to benefit the greater good. They are volunteer organizations that work to improve the quality of life for all.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Environmental Stewardship Award
Environmental Stewardship Awards salute caretakers of our planet’s natural resources. The recipients of this award routinely engage in exceptional education outreach and/or initiatives that protect and preserve the environment. Environmental stewards are passionate about conservation and guardianship of land, air, and water resources.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Jack Freed Emerging Leader Award
Jack Freed Emerging Leader Award will be presented to an individual who demonstrates by their leadership that they are stepping up to assume a broader community role.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Jeff Leib Lifetime Leadership Award
Lifetime Leadership Awards salute individuals who make a special contribution by providing dedicated, sustained and long-term leadership to projects or initiatives that further the common good. These individuals may also have distinguished themselves by professional accomplishments that go beyond their job duties for the good of the community. These leaders do more than their peers to help further cultural, civic, educational and/or spiritual life. Posthumous awards will be considered.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award
– GROUP
The Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award – GROUP honors one organization, institution, business, organized group or association which (1) serves in a nonpolitical nonpartisan voluntary and/or professional capacity and (2) demonstrates that advocacy and education of youth has played a significant role in its operations and, additionally:
- Models’ visionary leadership.
- Contributes to building a more inclusive society.
- Is recognized for his or her sustained impact upon the community.
- Creates effective partnerships on behalf of youth.
- Motivates others to strive for professional excellence.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award
– INDIVIDUAL
- The Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award – INDIVIDUAL honors one person who (1) serves in a nonpolitical nonpartisan voluntary and/or professional capacity and (2) demonstrates that advocacy and education of youth plays a significant role during the individual’s lifetime and, additionally:
- Models’ visionary leadership.
- Contributes to building a more inclusive society.
- Is recognized for his or her sustained impact upon the community.
- Creates effective partnerships on behalf of youth.
- Motivates others to strive for professional excellence.
Applicable Award Criteria: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8