Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers Honors the Community Health Champion: Colors of Cancer

BELLAIRE, MI – On Wednesday, August 27, Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers presented the Community Health Champion Award to Colors of Cancer during a luncheon hosted at the Bellaire Senior Center. The award, established in 2006, recognizes organizations and individuals who make a lasting impact on community health in Antrim and Charlevoix Counties.

The award was presented by the East Jordan Family Health Center Board of Directors in recognition of Colors of Cancer’s unwavering partnership “providing hope, healing and support for individuals facing cancer.”

Nearly 90 seniors, community members and staff joined the celebration and enjoyed a complimentary lunch provided through the generous support of the Antrim County Commission on Aging and the Bellaire Senior Center.

“Colors of Cancer has touched the lives of countless families with their compassion and care,” said Dan McKinnon, CEO of East Jordan Family Health Center. “Recognizing their work is an honor, as they continue to make a powerful difference for those affected by cancer.”

Dee Lynch, Founder of Colors of Cancer, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Lynch. “Our mission has always been to walk alongside those facing cancer with support and hope. This award reflects not just our work, but the strength of our entire community.”

The Community Health Champion Award has been presented annually since 2006. A full list of past honorees can be found on the East Jordan Family Health Center website at ejfhc.org/inside-ejfhc/community-health-champions.

To learn more about the Colors of Cancer, reach out to the Bellaire Family Health Center at 231-533-8649.

Bylines:
Award Pic: (L to R) Dee Lynch (Founder, Colors of Cancer) and Dan McKinnon (CEO, East Jordan Family Health Center)

Group Pic: (L to R) Melissa Przybyszewski (Site Director at EJFHC/ Bellaire Family Health Center), Ron Lynch, Unknown Individual, Patti Savant (EJFHC Board Member), Dee Lynch, Brenda Muladore (EJFHC Board Member), Cara Griffiths (EJFHC Board Member), Unknown Individual, Unknown Individual, Joelle Woodruff (Medical Director at EJFHC), Dan McKinnon (CEO at EJFHC), Shirley Curtis (Clinic Operations Director at EJFHC/ Bellaire Family Health Center), Cynthia Pepin (Behavioral Health Director at EJFHC)

Helping Hearts of EJ Honored as Community Health Champion

East Jordan, MI – The Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers proudly presented the 2025 Community Health Champion Award to Helping Hearts of EJ during a special event on Thursday, July 31, held just before the East Jordan Community Band concert at the bandshell in East Jordan’s downtown waterfront Memorial Park.

The Community Health Champion Award is given to recognize individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community. Helping Hearts of EJ is a locally based nonprofit dedicated to assisting individuals and families experiencing hardship. Through grassroots support, financial assistance, encouragement, and advocacy, Helping Hearts of EJ has become a trusted source of hope and relief for countless area residents.

Health Center CEO Dan McKinnon and Board Member Brian Olszewski presented the award on behalf of the Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Center’s board of directors. Shandra Sweet, founder of Helping Hearts of EJ, accepted the award and spoke about the organization’s mission and the many ways community support continues to fuel its efforts, from supporting local cancer patients with gas cards to awarding scholarships and organizing environmental improvement projects.

“Helping Hearts is the kind of organization that brings people together in real and meaningful ways,” said McKinnon. “Their compassion, commitment, and impact align beautifully with our mission to support the health and wellness of our community. We are honored to recognize them.”

Board member Brian Olszewski echoed that sentiment, adding, “This was a perfect evening to celebrate a group whose heart is truly in the right place. They don’t just provide support—they lift people up when it’s needed most.”

Health Center staff, community members, and supporters gathered to applaud Helping Hearts of EJ’s contributions before enjoying a performance by the East Jordan Community Band. The event served as a meaningful reminder of the power of partnerships and the strength that comes from working together to serve others.

Helping Hearts of EJ’s next community fundraiser is the annual Jordan River Poker Run, a family-friendly event scheduled for Saturday, August 9 (rain date August 10). Proceeds from the event help fund vital community programs, including transportation assistance for cancer patients, educational scholarships, and other charitable initiatives.

To learn more or offer support, contact Helping Hearts of EJ at (231) 350-3154 or send donations to:
Helping Hearts of EJ
P.O. Box 72
East Jordan, MI 49727

Bylines: Members of the Helping Hearts of EJ were recognized by Dan McKinnon, CEO of East Jordan Family Health Center, and Brian Olszewski, Health Center Board Member.

The Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers’ Board of Directors have awarded Jim and Sherry Bailey of Mancelona, MI the 2021 Community Health Champion Award. The Bailey’s have been honored for their commitment to the Antrim County Emergency Operations Center and their service to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

East Jordan Family Health Center’s Board of Directors presented Jim and Sherry Bailey with their 2021 Community Health Champion Award on Thursday, August 12, 2021, during an award presentation and reception at this year’s Antrim County Fair.

Jim and Sherry Bailey were recognized for their community support during the COVID Pandemic when they assisted with PPE collection and distribution, including working with the local Seamstress for Safety groups. The couple also volunteered at 42 Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics providing over 8,000 shots in Antrim County from late January until the end of June.

“They got their first shot and got to work.” states Leslie Meyers, Antrim County Emergency Services Coordinator. “They are volunteer extraordinaires!”

Jim and Sherry didn’t just step up this year. They have always stepped up to help their community. They helped create the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program for Antrim County and still serve as CERT members. Sherry has been a CoCoRaHs (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network) volunteer for many years and the Bailey’s are responsible for the snow gauge found on the corner of M88 and US 131 in Mancelona. Both have been volunteers for the AuSable Canoe Race, Glacial Hills Challenge, and the Paddle Antrim Festival. When they aren’t volunteering, they can be found growing tomatoes or being rockhounds.

The East Jordan Family Health Center’s Board of Directors began an annual tradition of presenting the Community Health Champion award in 2006. This award recognizes those who have dedicated themselves to serving the health care needs of our area.  Our health centers are designed to provide quality affordable healthcare with a commitment you can count on. Every day we are striving to develop services and programs that better serve you and the community. Our Mission is “Your Health”.

East Jordan Family Health Center’s Board of Directors have awarded Michele Nerone of East Jordan, MI the 2020 Community Health Champion Award. Michele’s continued dedication to the healthcare and environmental needs of Charlevoix and Antrim County has impacted the overall health of our communities. Michele recently retired from the EJFHC Board of Directors and the Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission.

East Jordan Family Health Center’s Board of Directors presented Michele Nerone with her 2020 Community Health Champion Award on Thursday, August 13, 2020.  Celebrating the Michele’s work on the pollinator garden, a butterfly release celebration was held in coordination with G.T. Butterfly Charities.

East Jordan Family Health Center’s Pollinator Garden goal is to provide butterflies and other pollinators with food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. Our health centers are designed to provide quality affordable healthcare with a commitment you can count on. Every day we are striving to develop services and programs that better serve you and the community. Our Mission is “Your Health”.

The East Jordan Family Health Center’s Board of Directors began an annual tradition of presenting the Community Health Champion award in 2006. This award recognizes those who have dedicated themselves to serving the health care needs of our area. 

In recognition and appreciation for your service and dedication to improving the health of your community.

In recognition and appreciation for your service and dedication to improving the health of your community.

Thank you for recognizing the efforts made by the staff and over twenty community volunteers that comprise the Jordan Valley EMS Authority, the community-driven provider of emergency care for the City of East Jordan as well as the adjoining townships of Banks, Echo, Jordan, South Arm, and Wilson.

The service has been in operation for decades, originally as East Jordan EMS, running under the auspices of the City of East Jordan. Beginning in April of 2015, the service became its own municipal authority governed by representatives of each participating governmental unit and administered day-to-day by an EMS Director.

“We are proud to serve East Jordan and the surrounding area,” said EMS Director Gerald “Jay” Peck. “Our greatest achievement is the compassionate care we provide to our patient, whether for a routine medical transport, helping someone’s grandmother get up off the floor, or handling a large-scale emergency.”

The Jordan Valley EMS Authority runs approximately 1,200 calls per year, comprised of emergency response, interfacility transport, and routine requests for medical assistance.

“We treat every patient like they are a member of our own family,” said Peck. “Every person we set out to help is somebody’s parent, child, uncle, cousin, or friend, and we strive every day to care for them as such.”

Factual Information

• The Jordan Valley EMS Authority is a service which began decades ago as East Jordan EMS and became an authority in April of 2015 as a combined effort of the City of East Jordan and the townships of Banks, Echo, Jordan, South Arm, and Wilson.
• The Jordan Valley EMS Authority is governed by a board consisting of a representative from each governmental unit and managed day-to-day by an EMS Director.
• Operations are staffed by an EMS Director, Assistant EMS Director, three full-time Paramedics, and over twenty locals who generously volunteer their time.
• The Authority runs around 1,200 calls per year, consisting of routine medical needs, interfacility transfers, and emergency response requests (911 calls).
• In addition to these services, Jordan Valley EMS does medical standbys for school and community events, community education through CPR classes, and wellness checks as needed.

In recognition for their service to those in need and enriching the lives of families in Antrim & Charlevoix Counties with positive well-being and mission driven blessings.

Learn more: www.thegoodsam.org

In Recognition and Appreciation For A Career Dedicated to Providing Compassionate Care to your Patients, and Mission Driven Service to your Community.