Please Like and Follow us on Facebook:

CAPE Council of Antrim, Charlevoix & Emmet Counties

https://www.facebook.com/CAPEcouncil

2026 recipients of

Champion For Children Award

Thom Dye 

Thom Dye is a retired teacher and disabled Vietnam Veteran. Thom has shown extraordinary dedication to supporting children and ensuring their safety, well-being, and growth consistently for over 50 years.

Thom actively supports all children, and immigrant students in particular over the past few years, designing and implementing lessons to help them learn English, feel welcomed, and thrive in a new environment. He goes above and beyond, providing transportation for families in need, serving as a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and even gifted a brand-new mountain bike to a hard-working student in need. 

His efforts directly support the CAPE Council philosophy by empowering children, providing mentorship, and fostering resilience. Thom's compassion and proactive engagement are recognized by all - from the neediest students to teachers, the principal, and the Student Resource Officer. He consistently shows up to volunteer at school five times a week to help children feel valued, supported, and safe, creating a positive impact that extends throughout the community. It is a joy to see the students when Thom comes into the high school, as many of them wait to see him and are encouraged by his presence. Even the students who do not work directly with Thom go out of their way to find him, an extraordinary testament to the impact he has on everyone around him.

Thom Dye truly exemplifies the spirit of the CAPE Council's Champion for Kids Award, demonstrating that dedication, empathy, encouragement, and hands-on support can guide and protect children, helping them flourish and reach every opportunity.

Thank you Thom for being a Champion For Children!

Sharie Plain

Sharie Plain is one of the most dedicated and service-minded volunteers you will meet. She leads with genuine compassion for others and a readiness to step in wherever there is a need, often without hesitation.

Her impact extends far beyond any one role. Sharie has served on The Haven’s Board of Directors since 2020, including nearly four years as Board Chair, providing steady, thoughtful leadership during a season of significant growth and transition. At the same time, she remains deeply hands-on, regularly working with clients and supporting day-to-day operations.

Her commitment to serving others extends well beyond The Haven and into the broader community. If there is a need, Sharie is there - clearing debris after the Gaylord tornado, driving patients to medical appointments, caring for new moms, to delivering diapers and essentials to families. She consistently shows up in the moments that matter most.

Sharie is a certified car seat technician and provides monthly car seat safety checks for The Haven and Boyne City Lutheran Church Baby Pantry. She volunteers many hours with STARS in Northern Michigan, educating and helping caregivers to create more passenger safety for children. She is a newly selected Board Member of STARS in Northern Michigan and she brings her leadership and expertise to the table by advocating at a state level, for child safety in Northern Michigan.

What makes Sharie especially remarkable is not just the breadth of her service, but the spirit in which she gives. She truly believes in people. She has a rare ability to stay committed through the slow and often unseen process of growth, walking alongside individuals with consistency and encouragement. She is also fiercely protective of those who are vulnerable. Whether she is organizing a fundraiser, hosting a gathering in her own home to benefit others, or quietly providing meals and support to friends in difficult seasons, she gives fully of herself.

Sharie’s life reflects a deep and consistent commitment to the wellbeing of others. Her impact is both wide-reaching and deeply personal, and she is truly deserving of this recognition.

Sharie is a Champion for Children!

Tom & Joyce Persons

The research behind H.O.P.E or Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences showcases the profound impact adults in the community can make in the lives of children. Considering their actions on behalf of children in Central Lake, I nominate Joyce and Tom Persons as outstanding community members who go above and beyond to show kids they are important—as people and as members of the community. Although I suspect they would say they don’t do much that is noteworthy, Dr. Ryan Cunningham, Central Lake Public Schools Superintendent, captured their impact well when he shared:

“Tom and Joyce Persons are truly at the heart of the Central Lake community. Tom’s genuine kindness and simple check-ins make people feel seen and supported, while Joyce’s constant presence and dedication to capturing and sharing moments help bring everyone together and celebrate the impact being made for our children.”

What do they do, exactly?

They show up.

Tom served on the school board for many years, taking a keen interest in the physical, social, and academic health of the whole school. He has taught essential skills to future babysitters and first aid and CPR to more participants than I could begin to identify. He currently works with Central Lake and Ellsworth schools to teach CPR to middle and high school students. Over the years, he has also accompanied his grandson to Lego Club and STEM Club at the library, where I was told he extends care to every participant—helping with projects, chatting about their day, and supporting in any way he notices might be helpful. These roles and commitments matter, but what makes Tom special is the way he shows up in them- noticing, caring, and sharing a whole lot of laughs.

Speaking of laughs, Joyce has a laugh and sense of humor that endears kids and adults alike. She can be found at virtually any event where kids are participating in Central Lake—behind her camera. She takes hundreds of pictures, ensuring that each child is photographed. She then takes the time to comb through the photos, fixing an angle here and there and identifying with whom and how to share the pictures with families. One would be hard pressed to find a kid in Central Lake whose family hasn’t received a digital photo from Joyce.

Through this generous gift, Joyce gets to know kids—and kids get to know her. She has a charisma to accompany her infectious smile and laugh that can convince otherwise reluctant subjects to stand still for a photo! Over the years, I’ve heard kids tell parents, “You don’t have to take a picture, Joyce’ll get it!” and parents express relief that Joyce did, in fact, get it— a nice photo from events like the Homecoming dance, band concert, class party, Halloween parade, spelling bee, little league game, volleyball game, track meet, dance recital and more.

I’ll end where I started. I don’t know all that I missed—the unnoticed ways that Tom and Joyce notice and communicate to kids in our community how valuable they are, just as they are. They see kids.

Because they show up.

(I’ll add that thinking about all the hours Joyce spends taking and sharing photos sparked a curiosity about what research might exist around kids having pictures of themselves. A quick query revealed my summary of some of the highlights of the research:

• Seeing photos of themselves helps children build identity and a sense of belonging.

• Looking at photos from positive experiences brings back positive memories, supporting resilience and grounding.

• Put simply, photos communicate to a child that they are important.

Thank you Joyce and Tom for being Champions For Children!

Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonaldo is a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She has showed an extraordinary dedication of her personal time, energy, and heart to protecting children and strengthening families.

While Judge Maldonado serves in a professional role on the Michigan Court of Appeals, it is what she does beyond that role that truly sets her apart. Her commitment to children, especially Native American children, is not confined to the courtroom or required by her position. It is a deeply personal passion that drives her to act, advocate, and serve in ways that extend far beyond her professional responsibilities.

Motivated by this passion, Judge Maldonado has devoted countless hours outside of her formal duties to advancing the principles of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). She played a key role in helping bring Michigan into compliance with ICWA, strengthening protections for Native children and families across the state. The work she helped lead has since served as an example for other states seeking to improve their own child welfare practices.

Her personal commitment is further reflected in her role as a key contributor to the development of the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). This work was not simply an extension of her job; it was the result of her willingness to invest her own time and energy into creating a better system for children and families. Her efforts have helped reshape how Michigan supports vulnerable children, emphasizing prevention, family preservation, and respect.

Judge Maldonado's dedication to children is also deeply personal. As an adoptive parent of a child who is a citizen of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, she brings lived experience, compassion, and authenticity to everything she does. She openly shares her story to inspire others to care, learn, and take action.

Her impact at the community level is equally meaningful. She volunteers as the head of the Title VI Parent Committee and Title VI grant for the Public Schools of Petoskey, mentors students in robotics, and regularly visits schools to present, all without obligation or recognition. She has also volunteers her time to support initiatives through the Michigan Supreme Court aimed at addressing “civil deserts, helping communities better understand government systems and how to be involved in meaningful change.

Those who know Judge Maldonado know that when children or families are in need, she shows up not because she has to, but because she believes it is the right thing to do. She gives her time quietly, consistently, and without expectation of recognition.

In recognition of both her professional and personal impact, Judge Maldonado was named the 2017 Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News and received the Unsung Hero Award from the State Bar of Michigan. These honors reflect not only her leadership, but her deep and sustained commitment to children and families.

Judge Maldonado's impact is not defined by her title, but by her choices, choices to give more, do more, and care more. Her work outside of her professional role has strengthened families, protected children, and inspired others to do the same.

Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado is exceptionally deserving of this recognition. Congratulations and Thank you.

Justice Frank Ettawageshik, an Appellate Judge for LTBB accepted this award on behalf of Allie. She was unable to attend in person due to a previous commitment.

CAPE Ambassador Award 

Kathy Reed

A special award- The CAPE Ambassador Award, that has only once previously been given by the CAPE Council, was awarded this year to Kathy Reed. This award represents an individual who not only champions for children, but also for the mission of this Council. Dedicating heart and energy to help us to help our community!

Kathy’s passion for children is evident in her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of young people in our community. Through decades of service, leadership, and hands-on involvement, she has made a lasting and meaningful impact.

Kathy served as a board member for the CAPE Council for over 25 years, frequently taking on officer roles. Even after completing her board service, she continues to support the organization by generously sharing her legal expertise.

In addition, Kathy has served on the Petoskey School Board for more than a decade and currently holds the position of First Vice President. During her tenure, she has contributed to the Teaching and Learning Committee and served as Board President during the successful planning and construction of the new stadium, helping ensure the project was thoughtfully developed and properly funded.

For more than 20 years, Kathy has also been an active member of the Christ Child Society, where she has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of children and families throughout the community. She coordinates the Head Start backpack program in Emmet and Cheboygan counties, which provides over 300 children each year with backpacks filled with educational supplies, toiletries, clothing, and handmade fleece blankets. In addition, Kathy regularly adopts families during the holiday season to ensure children experience the joy of Christmas.

Kathy has further dedicated over 15 years as a reading tutor at Sheridan Elementary School, helping young students build critical literacy skills and confidence.

What makes Kathy’s contributions even more remarkable is her ability to balance extensive volunteer work while being a devoted mother and grandmother and maintaining a full-time career as an attorney.

Her generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to children set her apart.

Kathy is truly a Champion for Children, and it is a privilege to award her for this well-deserved recognition as CAPE Ambassador Award recipient. Thank you Kathy!

2026 CONFERENCE

Growth, Resiliency, and Connection!

Find additional highlights

on our Conference tab.

Thank you to our Financial supporters:

Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation $5,000.00; Grant Support From: Fund for the Community, $2,690; Healthy Community Fund, $1,310; Ted and Brenda Frey Donor Advised Fund, $500; Jason and Maggie Kromm Fund, $500;

                                         St.  John's Episcopal Church                                          of Harbor Springs 

$4500.00

Charlevoix County Community Foundation $3500:

Boyne Mountain Fund for Youth, the Cliff and Beth Bye Fund for Youth, the Bob and Gay

Pung Fund for Youth, the Towsley Fund for Youth, the Tunison-Garlock Fund for Youth, and the Youth Fund. Various donor

advised funds

 Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation $2000: 

Bishop Fund-Donor Advised Fund $1500, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation $500