(Chelsea Update would like to thank the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce for the information in this story.)
The 2019 Citizen of the Year Award recipient is Trinh Pifer, and she was surprised with this award in a unique way due to unusual circumstances.
Pifer has gone way above and beyond her duties as Executive Director to the Chelsea Senior Center. During her tenure she was instrumental in building a senior nutrition program, promoting the Intergenerational Garden, led the effort to establish the Grass Lake Senior Center and created programs that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being for seniors in Chelsea.
She helped create Rural Older Adults in Motion (R.O.A.M.) to address rural senior transportation issues.
In doing so, the Chelsea Senior Center (CSC) received two prizes in the 2018 Vital Seniors Competition (VSC): the $50,000 People’s Choice Award based on public votes and the $100,000 Innovation Prize.
As reported previously, the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were Bob Pierce and Nadine Anderson.
They volunteered countless hours to help support many events throughout Chelsea including Hometown Holiday, Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights, Sounds & Sights Festival, On the Tracks, and the Big 400.
In their pursuit and passion for assisting families, children and adults with special needs they founded the Saturday Morning Challengers, a bowling league that has served as activity, support group and lifeline those with special needs.
No job proved to be too big or too small for this dynamite couple. They served on various boards, established 501(c)3 non-profits, setup chairs, taken out trash bags – whatever was needed, they humbly assisted.
These awards are one of the most important awards our community can bestow on our residents.
Chelsea is blessed with a wealth of residents who are committed and dedicated to serving our community.
From nominated residents, winners for these awards are selected by secret ballot during a meeting that includes past award winners and community and civic leaders in Chelsea.
A Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Chelsea Comfort Inn & Village Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. in their honor.
Tickets are available at the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
Call 734-475-1145 or email [email protected] for more information.
Couldn’t have been a better selection than Trinh. She has given so much to this community.
So happy for Trinh!!!!She always gives a 110 percent.