At its 2010 Affiliates Conference, held October 22-23, Habitat Michigan awarded its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Ken Bensen, who is retiring as CEO and President of Habitat Michigan. The award honors Bensen's 25 years of leadership and dedication to Habitat for Humanity.
The tribute to Bensen, both heartfelt and emotional, focused on the extraordinary accomplishments of Habitat Michigan's champion and state support organization (SSO) founder. In presenting the award, newly elected Habitat Michigan CEO Sandra Pearson searched for the right words to pay homage to Bensen before the more than 300 people in attendance at the Saginaw Michigan event.
Says Pearson, "This award recognizes and celebrates the sustained work of a man whose exceptional contributions, vision, and commitment to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness is exemplary and leaves a legacy for others to follow."
Highlight's of Bensen's 25 years with Habitat include:
• Being a driving force in establishing corporate and foundation support for Habitat Michigan
• Coordinating and launching over a dozen theme builds in the State of Michigan
• Participating in 11 Jimmy Carter Work Project Builds
• Helping pass a number of bills into law, both in Michigan and nationally
• Representing Habitat in over a dozen countries
• Being a 2002 recipient of the Terrence Duvernay Award by the Michigan Affordable Housing Conference
• Being inducted into the Michigan Construction Hall of fame in 2009
• Helping to organize and grow Habitat affiliate organizations, which grew from 6 to 77 affiliates in less than 25 years
• Representing Habitat in the United States and abroad through serving on over a dozen different committees and boards
In accepting the award, Bensen was acknowledged with a standing ovation. Says Bensen, "I've been very fortunate to have had a long career doing what I love to do. My work has been blessed with the support of the HFHM Board of Directors, affiliate leaders, past and present HFHM staff, HFHI staff, MSHDA, three governors, legislators, sponsors and thousands of volunteers. If my legacy to you was my time spent building Habitat, your legacy to me is one of friendship and faith that all things are possible."
A reception will be held in Bensen’s honor Tues., Nov. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the University Club of Michigan State University, at which Bensen will give guests signed copies of his book, A Historical Perspective: Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. Attendees will include individuals from state government, business, the religious community and the non-profit sector.
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan is the state support organization for Michigan’s 77 Habitat for Humanity affiliates which serve every county in the state. HFHM’s mission is to increase the capacity of Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Michigan to build or renovate simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need.
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