Traverse Connect seeks nominees for 2025 Distinguished Service Award

Traverse Connect announced Jan. 12 that nominations are open for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award, a long-running honor that recognizes residents who have made significant contributions to the Grand Traverse region since 1929. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 30 at 5 p.m., with the winner revealed in March and the traditional Distinguished Service Award Luncheon scheduled for May.

The award celebrates people from varied backgrounds, including business leaders, public servants and patrons of the arts, and spotlights contributions to the cultural, economic and social betterment of the region. Nomination criteria emphasize character and ethics in addition to financial giving, signaling a focus on sustained civic engagement and community leadership. Nominators do not need to be Traverse Connect investors, and residents across Traverse Connect’s five-county service area are eligible to submit names.

For Grand Traverse County, the call for nominations is more than ceremonial. Recognizing community leaders can elevate local initiatives that address social determinants of health such as housing, access to arts and culture, employment and community cohesion. Honors like this can amplify grassroots organizers, healthcare advocates and nonprofit programs that improve population health and social equity, helping them attract volunteers, donors and policy attention. In a region where civic identity and small nonprofit networks are central to how services are delivered, public recognition often translates into practical benefits for residents who rely on community programs.

The inclusive nomination rules widen who can put forward candidates, which could bring forward advocates and front-line workers who might not typically be in investor circles. That matters for equity: community change is frequently driven by people whose impact is measured in service hours, program innovation or moral leadership rather than large financial gifts. By valuing ethics and broad civic contribution, the award can help shift public attention toward solutions that support vulnerable populations and strengthen local public health infrastructure.

The March announcement and May luncheon also provide a platform for connecting leaders with policymakers and funders in the region. Celebrating a diverse slate of honorees could influence local priorities, nudging elected officials and institutions to support projects that reduce health disparities and expand access to cultural and economic opportunity.

The takeaway? Think about the people in your neighborhood who show up quietly, lead with ethics and make life better for others. If someone in the Cherry Capital or the surrounding counties has done that work, consider nominating them before Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. It’s a simple step that can help direct attention and resources to the causes that keep our community healthy and fair.