Community Corner

Township Proclaims Nov. 5 Ryan A. Soulard Day in Macomb

Ryan A. Soulard is a Macomb Township resident whose service to the community and its residents will be officially recognized Nov. 5.

The banks aren’t scheduled to close and students shouldn’t expect a three-day weekend, but Nov. 5 will be recognized as a holiday in Macomb Township.

By resolution of the Macomb Township board of trustees, Saturday has been named Ryan A. Soulard Day.

But who is Ryan A. Soulard?

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In simple terms, he is an 18-year-old Macomb Township resident and Central Michigan University freshman.

However, it was neither his residency nor his Chippewa status that prompted the board of trustees to proclaim Nov. 5 in his honor. Rather, it was recognition of the “dedication, commitment and personal sacrifices” he has made as a member of the and the “actions, achievements and high moral standards” that have made him a role model to his fellow scouts and peers in the past 12 years.

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In his scout career, Soulard has earned 31 merit badges, camped 70 nights with Troop 248 and hiked 50 miles. In 2010, he was selected by his peers to become a member of the Order of the Arrow, the BSA honor society, and on Nov. 5 he will be presented his Eagle rank, the highest BSA class available.

In pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout, Soulard volunteered to build two benches/storage units for , which provides fresh vegetables to local shelters.

“I saw a need,” Soulard said. “There wasn’t adequate storage for the crop garden, and the garage was quite a walk. There was a request to build storage, and I knew I had (my Eagle Scout) project coming up.”

Soulard designed the benches with the guidance of Jim Blank of Blank Carpentry, organized the scouts of Troop 248 to collect returnable bottles and cans to fund the project, and built and installed the benches in the garden.

"His making the benches for the tools used in our garden has been very helpful to all who work in the garden," said Pastor Mike Lutz, of Immanuel. "We are able to help many people with the food that is raised in this garden and Ryan has made it easier for us."

But Soulard said he couldn’t have completed this project, or earned an honorary day alone.

“(The day) is not just on me, but it’s well deserved on all the people who helped me,” he said. “Thank you for all of those who helped me along.”

Although Soulard is at college now, pursuing a career in computer science, he said he is a strong believer in community service and plans to volunteer actively for the rest of his life.

And while he doesn’t have any special plans for Ryan A. Soulard Day, he does have a wish for fellow Macombers who wish to celebrate with him.

“I’d like to see people do something out of the goodness of doing it. To do selfless service.”


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