More often than not, rather than being recognized as the star of the show, Kathy Garant's understated volunteerism has found her performing necessary duties like selling event tickets, lining up other volunteers or finalizing the details for any number of local fundraisers.
That low-key tendency took an unexpected turn Wednesday evening when the spotlight was fully focused on her as this year's Zonta Woman of the Year. The 44th annual banquet, held at the Holiday Inn, honored Garant for her long-time commitment to volunteer service and the betterment of the community.
Caught totally by surprise since the award is always kept a secret from the honoree until it is announced at the banquet, Garant was surrounded afterward by friends and family who wished her well.
"I am shocked, flabbergasted," said Garant, before good-naturedly chiding her close friends and family for keeping the secret of her winning from her.
Retired from a 29-year career at GTE, Garant now considers community volunteerism to be her passion.
"There are so many wonderful causes," she said. "I did the career thing for 29 years at GTE. Now I'm enjoying community service."
After receiving the award, Garant credited her father, the late Gene Zelazney, with planting the volunteer seed in her heart.
"My Dad told me, 'Give more than you take,'" she said. "If I learned nothing else from him, I learned that."
Zonta Club of Alpena member Joyce McCoy served as mistress of ceremonies for the banquet and shared how Garant has never been known to utter the word "no" when asked to help.
"Kathy Garant is a dedicated individual who has made amazing contributions to numerous organizations within the Alpena area and she is the perfect candidate for this prestigious honor," McCoy said.
Among those contributions are her ongoing involvement with the Alpena Regional Medical Center's Development Council and the ARMC Auxiliary, for which she has recorded more than 4,000 volunteer hours, served a term as president and chaired the Christmas Tree Ball Committee since 1997.
Garant joined the ARMC Development Council as a charter member of the Business Relations Committee in 1997. Her outgoing personality, hard work and community knowledge enhanced the initial efforts to establish that organization.
More recently, Garant has served on the Development Council's Community Relations Committee since 2005, helping with a variety of education programs and community forums such as the Take Time for You lunch-and-learn series.
She also helps with events for both the Huron Humane Society and Art in the Loft, including the Young Artist's Exhibit, Glamour and Gourmet, and Taste of the Town.
In the past, Garant has been an active member of the Alpena Tri/County Zonta Club and has served actively on the Friends Together board, for which she has helped to coordinate the Scramble for Friends and Friday Night for Friends Comedy Night events. Additionally, she works tirelessly at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Survivor Luncheon and Celebration.
The Zonta Club of Alpena, founded in 1963, has made a tradition out of annually holding the banquet in honor of Administrative Professionals Day. This year's theme was "Bloom Where You Are Planted," and included an inspirational talk by former Hollywood producer and published writer Mary Ellen Jones, now a resident of Northeast Michigan.
Several previous honorees also attended Wednesday's banquet, including Cynthia Taylor (1983), Donna Beck (1991), Kathy Prell (1995), Vernie Nethercut (1996), Judy Ableidinger (2000), Avis Hinks (2005), Joyce LaCross (2006), Donna Precord (2007), Annie Olsen (2008) and Marie Deno (2009).
Another highlight of the evening was the drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree at Bolenz Jewelers, which was won by Kathy Keen.