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Belding Good Neighbor Award !
Our terrific Neighbors who go above and beyond, giving their time, talent and energy to the City of Belding.
Josh King
April 15, 2025
Mr. King donates countless hours of his time each year to the Belding community. He has served multiple terms on Belding’s DDA (Downtown Development Authority) board. He grants his time by taking on the lead role as the director of a local group of volunteers who work to stream our high school sporting events. He has contributed a myriad of hours to the Belding Marching Band. As a
member of Belding Area Schools IT Department, he has donated numerous hours and provided valuable expertise in assisting the City with various technical issues. Let us honor Mr. King as indicative representation of what the phrase “Better Belding” truly means.
A Hero Amongst Us
March 18, 2025
Mayor Leary, City Council Members and Emily Elms, Owner of HOG Cannabis, presented Brandon Nieman with a Good Neighbor Award. Mr. Nieman was recognized for the selfless and heroic actions he displayed by immediately taking control of a serious situation as a stranger near him was discovered to be experiencing a medical emergency. Mr. Neiman remained calm and offered aid to the victim until first responders arrived on the scene. Elms advised that the incident occurred at HOG Cannabis and expressed her gratitude for Neiman being there, taking charge and knowing exactly what to do.
We sincerely thank you, Mr. Nieman, for being both a hero and a good neighbor!
George Rousseau
January 7, 2025
Mr. Rousseau's "behind the scenes" efforts contribute to the success of many events in and for the City of Belding. Mayor Leary, along with Council Members Gladding and Steele, recognized him for his tireless efforts, honoring him with a Good Neighborhood Award as an expression of their appreciation for all he does for the city.
Silk City Market
September 3, 2024
Misty VanGessel was recognized by Mayor Meyers and members of the City Council for her time and efforts in establishing the Silk City Market, a craft show and farmer's market that was held one Saturday per month, June through September. The Silk City Market proved to be a highly desirable event that Belding residents, as well as residents from surrounding communities, enjoyed and looked forward to throughout the summer. We look forward to this becoming an annual event here in Belding!
Windy Hartuniewicz
September 3, 2024
Mayor Meyers presented Windy Hartuniewicz with a Good Neighbor Award in appreciation of her volunteer time and efforts handing out free popcorn throughout the season at the city’s Music by the River summer concert series.
Cherie Peabody
February 20, 2024
The City Council presented Ms. Cherie Peabody with the Good Neighbor Award. The nomination comes from Jill and Jim Mason who cited Ms. Peabody's keen interest in city affairs by attending city council meetings on a regular basis to always be informed of current city matters. Further, that Ms. Peabody often offers her opinion in a positive fashion. Congratulations!
Jim & Carol Carpenter
June 20, 2023
The City Council expressed its appreciation to the Carpenter's for donating their time and talents to the City of Belding by maintaining and painting a number of picnic tables in the East Riverside Park.
Chuck Robinson
June 20, 2023
The City Council expressed their appreciation to Chuck Robinson for volunteering his time and talents to assist with landscaping and general maintenance in and around the downtown. Often times this work is done in preparation for special events. Thank you for being a Good Neighbor!
Craig Crebessa - Nature's Needs Landscape Construction & Design
June 20, 2023
The City Council expressed its appreciation to Craig Crebessa of Nature's Needs Landscape Construction & Design for yearly volunteering his time, personnel, equipment and supplies to the City of Belding providing landscaping in several city owned parks and properties.
Eric & Mary Brown and Stuart & Jane Forth
May 2, 2023
After being closed for over a year awaiting repairs, the Pere Marquette Depot was in need of a major cleaning. Eric & Mary Brown and Stuart & Jane Forth spent one long weekend scrubbing and waxing the floor, steam cleaning the carpet and chairs in the council chambers, dusting, washing windows, and many other tasks too numerous to mention. On behalf of the Belding City Council, thank you for your volunteer efforts.
Belding Gardeneers Club receive Good Neighbor Award
September 20, 2022
Mayor Pro Tem Jorel Davis, on behalf of the Belding City Council, honored the Belding Gardeneers with a Good Neighbor Award at the September 20th City Council Meeting.
Good Neighbor Awards are given out periodically by the city council to local individuals or groups that have given themselves to the community.
The Belding Gardeneers Club members donate countless hours to the city using their knowledge and skills to maintain garden areas throughout town. This past summer the members have tirelessly pulled weeds, turned mulch and provided new plantings in a number of areas around town including in and around the central business district. Their efforts have been widely recognized and have helped to beautify and improve they city's public image.
We could not think of a more deserving group!
B Foundation
May 4, 2021
Mikayla received the Good Neighbor Award for the B Foundation, which is a non-profit organization she created that raises money to help local families who are struggling with the financial hurdles cancer can create. She has raised over half a million dollars by sponsorships, community donations and holding an annual gala every spring. Makayla has also been recognized at the FOX 17/Lake Michigan Credit Union "2020 Pay It Forward Person of the Year."
City Council and City Manager Receive Recognition
November 4, 2020
Mayor Miller presented City Council members Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan, Jorel Davis and Mike Scheid, along with the City Manager John Niemela with Good Neighbor Awards. He thanked them for their service and their hard work.
City Clerk
November 4, 2020
Mayor Miller presented City Clerk Janae Cooper with the Good Neighbor Award for her ability to morph into the changing clerk position and for her service, passion and commitment to the City of Belding and for supporting the 2020 elections.
Holly Noble
October 20, 2020
Mayor Miller presented Holly Noble with a Good Neighbor Award for all of her hard work and dedication on the Denny Craycraft Veterans Memorial Park.
Belding Beatnik Bazaar/Farmer's Market
November 5, 2019
Jenny Bennett received the Good Neighbor Award for providing the Belding Beatnik Bazaar/Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of each month from June through October. Pictured are Mayor pro tem Bruce Meyers, Jenny Bennett and Mayor Brad Miller
Belding Labor Day Celebration Committee
October 1, 2019
The Belding Labor Day Celebration Committee received the Good Neighbor Award for providing the community with the "Fun in the Sun" festivities over the Labor Day weekend. Pictured: Mayor pro tem Bruce Meyers, Scott Gladding, Sydney Gladding, Jodi Church, Shelley Gladding and Mayor Brad Miller.
Belding Gardeneers
April 2, 2019
Members of the Belding Gardeneers receive the Good Neighbor Award in honor of their 50th Anniversary. The city truly appreciates their beautification efforts throughout our community! From left: Mayor pro tem Bruce Meyers, Karen Ware, Olga Albert, Jill Mason and Mayor Brad Miller.
Belding Housing Commission
January 15, 2019
Members of the Belding Housing Commission receive the Good Neighbor Award for their combined 93 years of dedicated service to the community. From left – James Mason, Mayor pro tem Bruce Meyers, Dorothy Williamson, Sandra Boutell, Mayor Brad Miller and Arthur Mahar. Missing is Jeff Swanson.
Lloyd Loper
November 1, 2016
Lloyd Loper received the Good Neighbor Award for voluntarily assisting the Belding Police Department in apprehending a fleeing suspect on October 8, 2016, leading to a safe outcome of the situation. Mayor Ronald Gunderson presented the award to Mr. Loper.
Veteran's Memorial
September 6, 2016
Mayor Protem Tom Jones presents the Good Neighbor Award to Dennis Craycraft
for developing a vision and plan for constructing the Veteran's Memorial in Belding.
Welcoming Ambassador for Belding
July 19, 2016
Maria Robertson received the City of Belding "Good Neighbor Award" for serving as a member of the Belding Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, initiating a program to welcome new businesses and organizations to Belding, and for being a community ambassador for the City of Belding.
Presenting the award, and pictured with Maria, is Mayor pro tem Tom Jones.
Generous Volunteer
March 1, 2016
Kiley Walch received the City of Belding Good Neighbor Award for being so kind with her volunteer efforts and the gifts she generously gives. Pictured with Kiley is City Council member Jerry Lallo.
Candlestone Help, Free Lodging and Food
January 5, 2016
Candlestone Golf & Resort received the City of Belding "Good Neighbor Award" for providing free lodging and food for those experiencing power loss over the holidays. Henry Bouthiette and Kat Andersen were present to receive the award, presented by Mayor Ron Gunderson.
Faith Community Christian School
November 3, 2015
Faith Community Christian School received the City of Belding "Good Neighbor Award" for the face painting they did for children at the 2015 "Music in the Park" events.
Litter Pick Up in Belding
August 18, 2015
Logan Ostrander and Family received the City of Belding's Good Neighbor Award on August 18, 2015 for organizing “Litter Pick Up in Belding” on August 4, 2015.
Fill the Gym Night
January 30, 2015
"Fill the Gym Night" was held at the Redskin Arena in an effort to set an attendance record in the gym and showcase the beautiful facilities and thank the community for their support.
Rick Beckett and the Belding Community were also recognized for their efforts on this event.
2013 Labor Day Celebration Committee
October 1, 2013
The 2013 Belding Labor Day Celebration Committee received a Good Neighbor Award on October 1, 2013.
They presented the "Blast from the Past", a wonderful Labor Day weekend of events for the community.
Ionia County Commission on Aging and Meals On Wheels
September 3, 2013
The volunteers for the Ionia County Commission on Aging make deliveries for the Meals on Wheels Program and received the Good Neighbor Award on September 3, 2013.
Pictured is Nancy Kenyon, the volunteer driver coordinator for 21 years, receiving the award from Mayor Ron Gunderson. Current volunteers also include Fran and Marie Rivard, Dan Zimmerman, Reverends Bruce and Keli Burfield, Howard and Lois Jackson, and Barb Albert.
Community Dinner
March 19, 2013
Woodview 5th grade students, Morgan Cochran and Lauren Barker, organized and hosted a Free Community Dinner on December 10, 2012.
Mayor pro tem Andrea Belding presented the Good Neighbor award to Lauren Barker. Morgan Cochran was unable to attend.
Red Shirt Friday
November 1, 2011
Mayor pro tem Andrea Belding awards the staff of the Scizzor Shak the Good Neighbor Award for hosting "Red Shirt Friday".
The event raises funds to send packages to the troops in Afghanistan.
Rocket Football Coach
October 18, 2011
Council Member Jon Bunce awards Mrs. Hart a Good Neighbor Award to recognize the volunteers that coach the youth in the Rocket Football program.
B Foundation
September 23, 2011
Mayor Roger Wills proclaims September 23, 2011 as B Foundation Day in the City of Belding, as the foundation will be sponsoring "A Day to Believe" with many cancer awareness activities, sporting events and a 5K GLOW Run/Walk.
The B Foundation seeks to raise awareness and benefit families in the Belding community touched by cancer. Heidi Wilker and Deb Wright received the proclamation.
God's Kitchen
August 2, 2011
Community volunteers host God's Kitchen dinners each Thursday at the St. Joseph gymnasium. All are welcome to attend the dinner, served from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The program is an outreach of Catholic Charities and the Belding Ministerial Association.
David and Renee Scheid
March 15, 2011
David and Renee Scheid host Christmas Eve Dinners for the community at the Bridge Street Cafe.
Roger Jones and Daryl Britton
February 15, 2011
Roger Jones and Daryl Britton have developed and staffed events for teens at the Warehouse Teen Center for many years, an outreach of Flat River Ministries.
Deb Crankshaw
February 15, 2011
Deb Crankshaw initiated Club Night for developmentally disabled adults, held at the Warehouse Teen Center, an outreach of Flat River Ministries.
Pat and Liz Wilson
February 1, 2011
Pat and Liz Wilson receive the Good Neighbor Award from Police Chief Dale Nelson. They have gone above and beyond, giving of time, talent and energy by their patriotism and positive attitudes, helping encourage the children at Ellis School and the adults and support staff they come in contact with daily. Pat serves as the crossing guard and Liz serves as a paraprofessional at Ellis School.
Judge Ivan "Jud" Gay
January 4, 2011
Judge Ivan "Jud" Gay moved to Belding in 1971. He had taken early retirement from General Tire in Ionia and was looking for ways to still keep busy. With his own initiative Jud started mowing lawns, shoveling sidewalks, cleaning parking lots and doing lawn clean up.
"Music In the Park"
October 19, 2010
Mayor Roger Willis presents the Belding Good Neighbor award to Mile Verdun, who coordinated and staffed the 2010 "Music in the Park" concerts.
"Clean Michigan"
October 5, 2010
The "Clean Michigan" group of volunteers receive the Belding Good Neighbor award for keeping the river and community so beautiful through their clean-up efforts.
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