Home Town Hero Award Given to Ken Schippers

Ken Schippers, Vicksburg’s Village Manager, accepted recognition as “Hometown Hero” along with a check for $100 from the Modern Woodmen of America’s (MWA). MWA Representative Marie Dunning said Schippers was chosen for doing a great job for the village of Vicksburg, then she presented him with a check at Mott’s Christmas barn just before the holiday season got into full swing.

In keeping with the award’s intent, the money is for Schippers to give to his favorite charity, which he then gave to South County Community Services. Modern Woodmen of America present awards like this nationwide. The local MWA chapter presented this one at Mott’s because its members like to shop there for Christmas trees, greens, and decorations, according to Dunning.

In turn, Schippers noted that the MWA has been very generous to the village as he thanked Dunning for the recognition. The Woodmen organization has purchased picnic tables located at the pavilion, the Historic Village, Oswalt Park, and Sunset Lake beach in the past few months. Money also has been donated to purchase ten trees, a pear tree, and boxwoods because their members shop locally, Schippers added.

The Kalamazoo County chapter has offices at 2700 Sprinkle Road and markets life insurance and other financial services in the area and nationally. It is a fraternal benefit society with 770,000 members. It was founded in Iowa in 1883.