COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Two longtime volunteers and business leaders in Branch County will be honored as part of the Branch County United Way “Power of The Purse” ladies event scheduled for April 15.
Each year the committee chooses a Woman of the Year in Business and a Woman of the Year in Service. This year’s business honoree as Lisa Miller of the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance. Lisa has had a hand in the growth of our community in many ways, most notably working with state and local officials to bring projects such as Mastronardi Produce, and Clemens Food Group to Branch County in recent years. Under her leadership the BCEGA has added or will be adding more than 1000 jobs to the local economy in recent years.
Lisa is a lifelong Coldwater resident, excepting for a brief stint in the Sturgis area. She is actively involved in many activities in the community- most recently as a champion for the Tennis Court project about to commence in Heritage Park.
The Woman of the Year in Service has been serving this community for most of her life. Ann Lown of Quincy spent 25 years building the lives of the employees at Crotty Corporation in Quincy. Her innovative HR management allowed individuals to get a start or a new start in life that might not have been possible otherwise.
When Crotty closed its doors, Ann continued to give back through the Branch Area Food Pantry, a lifelong passion. She helped originate the community garden, see the pantry through 2 location changes, and was the driving force behind Feeding Branch County- the holiday basket giveaways at Thanksgiving and Christmas annually.
Lown has been teaching classes at both Kellogg Community College and Baker College for over 15 years. Ann was the catalyst for the Service Learning classes at KCC and the newly formed Service Learning 299 that has committed to a group project helping Family Promise this semester.
In addition to the honorees, and a keynote from businesswoman Kathy Rogers, event attendees will have an opportunity to buy raffle tickets to win one of 30+ purses valued at over $150 each.The event, presented by Sunset Produce will be a fun-filled women’s only evening.
Principal Sponsors for the event also include Michigan Gas Utilities, Clemens Food Group, Century Bank and Trust, Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, and the Walmart Distribution Center Operations and Transportation.
Individuals who would like to purchase tickets to this “Girls Only” event may do so online at www.branchcountyunitedway.org/power-purse or by calling 517-279- 7129. Tickets are $35 each or a table of 10 for $300. The Coldwater Area Chamber will also have tickets available for the event. Seating is limited to 250, and the event is expected to sell out.
