The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has announced Debbie Ball-Odeh as Kalkaska Citizen of the year and BC Pizza Kalkaska as the Business of the Year. BC Pizza Kalkaska is owned by the Hammontree family. This year’s Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year have been selected through a community nomination process facilitated through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

The selections continue a 51-year tradition. The Citizen of the Year Award was established in 1970 to honor a community member for exceptional service and commitment to the Kalkaska community, while the Business of the Year Award was established in 2005 to honor a local business for their outstanding service to the Kalkaska community.

“I am humbled beyond words to have been chosen to receive the Kalkaska Citizen of the Year Award,” says Ball-Odeh. “I love being so involved in my community, especially with anything for our kids. Seeing their faces light up at the Trout Fest parade or playing a game during the Fair’s Kids’ Day makes all the planning and work worth every minute.”

“We love how the Village of Kalkaska comes together for its citizens in celebration or sorrow and we are grateful to be part of this awesome community. Thank you for the Business of the Year Award, Kalkaska. We love you!” says Kati Hammontree, co-owner of BC Pizza Kalkaska.

The winners will be honored at the Kalkaska Community Awards, an event hosted by the Community Foundation and sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. It will take place Thursday, June 9, from 4:30-6pm at the Railroad Square Pavilion in downtown Kalkaska.

The Community Foundation for Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties was established in 1992 to invest in the people and places of the region.