The Lenawee Economic Development Corporation and the Lenawee Community Foundation are pleased to announce that the Lenawee Community Foundation will assume the sponsorship of the prestigious Maple Leaf Award.

The Maple Leaf award is presented to an individual or couple, who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the people, communities, and organizations in Lenawee County.

The Maple Leaf Award has a long history, beginning in 1953 with the former Adrian Area Chamber.
In its early years all recipients were Adrian individuals and companies. When the organization changed its reach and name to the Lenawee Chamber of Commerce in the early 1980s, eligibility expanded to individuals from throughout the county. Later in the early 2000s the Lenawee Chamber changed its focus to economic development and its name became the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).

The current selection committee, chaired by Dave Hickman and comprised of previous award recipients, determined that the Maple Leaf Award did not fit well with an economic development organization, since it encompassed all aspects of the quality of life in Lenawee. As a result, the Lenawee Community Foundation Board of Directors has enthusiastically agreed to continue Lenawee County’s most prestigious award.

The members of the selection committee have agreed to continue to serve with the Lenawee Community Foundation, create a new name to reflect the county-wide focus of the award, review the criteria for the selection process, and to continue to honor all Maple Leaf Award winners, as former recipients of the new award. The inaugural presentation of the new award will take place in 2012.

“We are thrilled that the Lenawee Community Foundation has agreed to assume responsibility for this prestigious award that recognizes individuals, who make our county better,” stated Jim Gartin, President & CEO of the LEDC.

“Lenawee County is a great place to live, work, learn, and play,” stated Sue Hammersmith, President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation. “But, it is only great because individuals share their time, talents, and resources to enhance the quality of life here. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to honor and recognize outstanding individuals through this award.”