Habitat board President Max Lindsay was presented the award, which was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at the local Habitat’s new facility on U.S.-23 South in Alpena.

Lindsay, who has been involved with Habitat since its inception in 1989, said he is humbled to be recognized, especially when there are many others just as deserving.

“I have had an opportunity to work beside so many great people over all these years, and many of them deserve this award more than I do,” Lindsay said. “It is very special, because this organization is something I really believe in.”

Local Habitat Executive Director Ted Fines said Lindsay is invaluable to the organization and Habitat leaders can always count on him. Whenever there is a problem, such as when the ReStore shop in downtown Alpena burned down in 2019, he knows Lindsay can always be counted on to help.

Representatives from TCF, now part of Huntington Bank, present a $50,000 check to members of the Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan board and staff.

“He is the first person I call, text, or email when something is up,” Fines said. “Through anything and everything, he has always been there to support me. I can’t say enough about what he means to the organization.”

Habitat is still trying to get back on its feet after the fire, and it is in the process of renovating an old flea market on U.S.-23 South.

Darren Rhoads, the district manager of TCF, said supporting projects that benefit those in the community that need assistance is important to the company.

“Our goals are to make people’s lives easier and to strengthen the community’s reserve,” Rhoads said. “We know there are communities in need and people in need, so, when we can provide support for them, that is what we want to do.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.