Pegouskie Receives 2015 Community Service Award

The Michigan Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) recognized the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation's Community Investment Manager Matt Pegouskie with a 2015 Community Service Award. Pegouskie attends monthly Manchester Wellness Coalition meetings and serves as a liaison between Manchester and the Foundation in addition to his many other responsibilities.

Community Service Awards are presented to individuals, groups, and organizations that actively support parks and recreation in Michigan. Pegouskie and the Grass Lake Community Wellness Initiative are both 2015 award recipients from the 5 Healthy Towns service area. Last year, the Manchester Wellness Coalition received a similar honor.

Since joining CWF, Pegouskie has served as the primary point person between the coalitions and built environment advocates at the Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Department of Transportation, the Big 400, Michigan State University’s Small Towns Design Initiative, the Michigan Trail Advisory Committee and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Most recently, Pegouskie led efforts to develop the Stockbridge Urban Trails plan in partnership with representatives from Stockbridge and Michigan State University’s Sustainable Built Environment Program. He’s also prepared funding proposals which yielded more than $1 million in grant awards for interventions like Safe Routes to School and park improvements.

“Matt is a terrific connector within our service area and among statewide organizations,” said Amy Heydlauff, CEO of Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation. "This is a well-deserved recognition."

"I’m honored to be recognized by the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, and even more honored to receive an award earned by two of our coalitions,” said Pegouskie. “Public spaces that encourage friends and family to move more, eat better, avoid unhealthy substances and make healthy connections are a passion we share.”

Pegouskie plans to continue his commitment to infrastructure opportunities that allow the 5 Healthy Towns of Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake, and Stockbridge, to take advantage of Michigan’s great park and recreation resources.

For more information on health and wellness improvements in our community, visit www.5healthytowns.org. You will find the coalitions featured as you scroll down the home page.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.