By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

We are proud to honor Margaret Lee, a long-time Brandon Township resident who has dedicated herself to serving those in need in this community for more than two decades, as the 2016 Citizen of the Year.

Lee, 73, received numerous nominations from community members who value her service as treasurer of the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund. The non-profit organization runs a food pantry for low-income residents of the Brandon School District and also provides other emergency assistance through the generosity of donors and efforts of area churches.

“Through all the highs and lows of this organization, she was consistently there to see it through,” wrote OCEF volunteer Sue Roberts in her letter nominating Lee for Citizen of the Year. “She has worked diligently and tirelessly to ensure that our community food pantry stayed open to help serve our neighbors struggling with critical food shortages.”

Roberts recalled the severe funding shortages that OCEF went through when the organization was operating on a month-to-month basis and how Lee led the way, working to find new supporters and projects in which to keep the pantry open. Besides treasurer, Lee also previously served as president and vice-president and would step up to fill any vacancy on the OCEF Board.

“Margaret has given tremendous amounts of time and service to see that our most needy citizens aren’t forgotten,” said Roberts. “Her sense of community, citizenship and volunteerism are outstanding and a real asset to Ortonville. What a better and more caring community we are by Margaret’s work… She is a true inspiration and makes Ortonville a better place to live everyday by her caring, kindness and compassion for others.”

Mary Ann McCarville, St. Anne Church parish secretary, noted in her letter of nomination that Lee’s responsibilities include making sure the pantry is stocked with enough food for twice weekly pantry visits of clients. OCEF serves more than 125 families each month. Lee oversees all food orders and purchases that are made and works to secure contributions to purchase food and gift cards for clients which they use to supplement what they receive at the pantry. Lee also oversees distrubutions for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, where OCEF clients receive food, as well as gifts for the holidays.

“Margaret is a kind, caring person and very sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate,” said McCarville. “She believes strongly in doing all that is humanly possible to provide food, with dignity, to all families in the community that have a need.”

Besides helping to provide the most basic of human needs to community members, Lee was also instrumental in furthering an educational resource— the Brandon Township Library.

“Long before we became well-acquainted with her, we remember her enthusiasm and leadership at the groundbreaking ceremony for what was to be our new township library,” wrote Suzy and Bob Fluck in their nomination letter for Lee as Citizen of the Year. “Her words and actions that day excited us, and our three young children. She was such an inspiration as she helped lead the planning and building of one of the finest, small community libraries around!”

Lee served on the library board for several years in the late 90s, and early 2000s during the time when the new library was planned and then constructed at 304 South Street. The project, like her work for OCEF, was meaningful and Lee is grateful for the opportunity to serve. She is thankful, too, for the recognition as Citizen of the Year, and ever humble, is quick to share credit.

“I keep thinking of all the people who support our efforts and it seems like it’s just everybody,” she said. “We have the Masons, the VFW, the businesses, the schools and churches and individuals and it’s just wonderful.”

She hopes that more community members will step up to volunteer as many of the current volunteers get older, although she has no plans to stop just yet.

“It makes me feel good we are able to help people with their needs,” Lee said.

Judy Henley, former OCEF director, hopes others follow the lead of Lee, whom she has known personally for 35 years and right from the beginning was struck by how important community service was in Margaret’s life.

“She showed me that you cannot just live in your community, but you must also serve in your community by working with others to create a community that is good and just for all,” said Henley. “Her strong faith does not just happen at church, but she lives out her beliefs every day of her life. In Margaret’s life, community service and her faith are one. She is kind, compassionate and merciful in all things. I am honored to call her friend and to nominate Margaret Lee for Citizen of the Year.”

Margaret Lee will be presented with The Citizen of the Year Award at 11 a.m., Sept. 24, on stage in the Brandon Township munipal building parking lot, 395 Mill St., during Septemberfest.