Lenawee Community Foundation honors leadership, service
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
By DAVID PANIAN
ADRIAN — Volunteerism and community leadership were celebrated April 23 at the Lenawee Community Foundation’s annual awards program.
A long-time director of the Lenawee County Department on Aging, a couple who has devoted decades to helping others, and a 2004 Tecumseh High School graduate who guided the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce through a leadership change were honored with the Lenawee Leadership Award, the Stubnitz Award and the Incito Award, respectively, during the foundation’s annual celebration at the Adrian Armory Events Center. The recipients are:
• Lenawee Leadership Award: Tom MacNaughton.
• Stubnitz Award: Sandy and Robert Trevino.
• Incito Award: Tino Rebottaro.
The Lenawee Leadership Award honors a person or couple who exemplifies the underlying principle that the future of Lenawee County will be determined by the quality of its leadership. The Stubnitz Award is named for businessman and philanthropist Maurice Stubnitz and is presented to a person or couple who demonstrates exemplary commitment to Lenawee Cares, the community and volunteerism. The Incito Award recognizes a young person, age 40 or under, who has emerged as a community leader and demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership.
Lenawee Leadership Award
Tom MacNaughton was the director of the Department on Aging for 24 years. During that time, he advocated for programs that help older adults remain independent, including transportation, home-repair services, and volunteer initiatives such as a community-wide leaf-raking program that mobilized students to serve seniors. He also is a running enthusiast, including coaching cross country at Adrian High School, and supporter of recreation programs.
“When our local YMCA faced one of its most difficult chapters, Tom stepped in, serving as interim director, helping stabilize the organization and working with others to make sure the Y remained part of our community here in Lenawee County,” community foundation executive director Bronna Kahle said in presenting the award.
“Like all great leaders, he finds his real joy in seeing others succeed, celebrating every victory as if it were his own,” Kahle said. “…Tom doesn’t just lead programs. He changes lives. He builds confidence. He creates belonging. He helps people see what’s possible for themselves, and he does it with a kind of joy and energy that is authentic and contagious.”
Each honoree recorded a video message to accept their award. In his, MacNaughton began by crediting his parents and his wife, Christine, for supporting him.
“I have essentially been running downhill with the wind in my back from day one,” he said. “My mother and father were outstanding parents and made sure that I was supported every step of the way, and allowed me the freedom to become a confident and independent person.”
Christine, MacNaughton said, took over the role of supporting him.
“Not only has she helped with every project that I’ve been involved with, she’s done a number of things for our community in her own right. I’m certain that the most important thing I’ve done for our community is getting her to move here.”
He used the occasion to encourage others to volunteer to help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible.
“One of the most important ways to do that is by bringing hot meals to them,” he said. “Right now, there are about 350 older adults in the Adrian area who receive meals through the Department on Aging’s home-delivered meal program. … The routes take about an hour, and we need lots more drivers. A few drivers drive every day, but most drive when they’re available. … If you’d like to help or are uncertain about whether you can do it, please give it a try by riding along with me when I’m delivering.”
Stubnitz Award
Sandy and Robert Trevino have given back to the community thoughout their 66 years of marriage, Sandy Trevino said in their acceptance video.
“We felt that we had to be good role models for our children so they too can become good citizens and help others, respect elders and treat each other with love and respect,” she said.
“Their impact isn’t tied to one organization or one moment. It is reflected in the many lives they’ve touched along the way,” said Karen Caine, who, with her late husband, Stanley, received last year’s Stubnitz Award.
The Trevinos’ volunteerism touched the young and old and people throughout the county. Robert, who worked for Commercial Savings Bank, has volunteered with the Lenawee County Department on Aging in the home-delivered meals program as well as helping older adults with financial matters. He served on the fundraising committee for Bixby Hospital and the United Way board of directors, supported migrant ministry efforts, and given many years of service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Adrian.
For more than 25 years, Sandy Trevino visited migrant camps throughout Lenawee County, delivering food, clothing and essential supplies directly to families. She often organized the donation drives herself. She co-founded what is now Adrian Community Preschool. She also has served on the Goodwill Lark and Maurice Spear Campus boards. As a Eucharistic minister and choir member at St. Joseph, she continues to serve faithfully and joyfully.
Both Sandy and Robert have served through Civitan of Lenawee. Robert was one of the organization’s charter members in 1969.
“As the years are catching up with us, we are not as active as we once were, but we still remain as active as we can,” Sandy Trevino said.
Incito Award
Serving others started at a young age for the Incito Award recipient, Tino Rebottaro.
“For many, a commitment to community begins with a single moment of inspiration,” said Melissa Tsuji, director of the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce. “For Tino, that spark was lit at just 6 years old, assisting residents in a local nursing home. What began as a childhood act of kindness evolved into a lifelong mission that has shaped the very fabric of Lenawee County.”
Rebottaro has been a 4-H youth leader, a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters, a board member at Housing Help of Lenawee, a Hospice of Lenawee volunteer, a member of the Greater Lenawee Chamber’s board and coach of his son’s soccer team.
“He acts as a bridge between resources and those who need them most,” Tsuji said. “He is a master of the quiet connection, leveraging his networks on the golf course, at social gatherings or during chamber events to ensure that vital community programs are known and accessible.”
An example of Rebottaro’s leadership came when the chamber was between directors.
“Tino didn’t just maintain his role as board chair. He essentially became our volunteer COO,” Tsuji said. “He spent countless pro bono hours managing daily operations, ensuring the chamber remained a stable, viable resource for our members. He taught us all that real leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about the integrity to stay until the work is done.”
“To me, giving back to your community is not something you do to win an award,” Rebottaro said in his video acceptance message. “At this point in my life, I am fortunate to have the ability to give back to Lenawee County, a community that has been so amazing to me and my family. I am truly blessed to have called Lenawee County my home for almost 40 years and cannot imagine living anywhere else.”
He thanks his employer, Iott Insurance Agency, and his wife, Jessica, and their son for giving him the time to pursue his volunteering interests.
“Unfortunately, when you give your time to others, that time is taken away from your family,” Rebottaro said. “Not a single time has my wife complained about me volunteering, even when I get her wrapped up in it as well.”
He said a quote from Muhammad Ali sums up his feelings about volunteering: “The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”