DOWAGIAC — Kyle Belew is the unofficial sidewalk sweeper for the city of Dowagiac. When he is not running his business, The Wounded Minnow, he is sometimes on the streets of Dowagiac with a backpack leaf blower in hand, clearing out an afternoon’s fresh snow to ensure it does not seep into downtown businesses.

It was simple acts of caring in the community, such as Belew’s sweeping, that were displayed and honored at the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and celebration of members hosted Wednesday night at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge.

The awards kicked off with the namesake award of the night. Chamber President Kim MacGregor opened the floor by detailing that the recipient of the Caring for the Community Award sees the best and worst of people, while also providing a safe home where people can get back on their feet and receive help if needed.

The award was given to Rose Ludwick and Deborah Hackworth, of Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services.

The pair thanked the community for recognizing what Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services does.

“It really takes a village to be able to assist survivors of domestic and sexual violence,” Ludwick said. “We have a staff of 21 individuals. Without them, we couldn’t do this work.”

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DASAS has been hosting vigils and forums to educate individuals about the dynamics of domestic violence and co-occurring traumas.

As it approaches its year end, DASAS’s statistics show it has helped more than 1,000 individuals, residential and non-residential combined. Last year, DASAS’s safe home, a 19-bed and five-bedroom house, served 225 women and children.

MacGregor and the chamber’s committee for the event wanted to bring in guest speakers from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to help share the history of the tribe with attendees.

Guest speakers Steve Winchester and Andy Jackson, both members of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, shared stories of the tribe. Both Winchester and Jackson are members-at-large on the tribal council. Winchester told the crowd about the history of the Band, and Jackson, who is a medicine gathering woman, talked about the tribe’s Women’s Water Walk hosted annually on the Friday before Labor Day.

“We, as women, are supposed to pray for and care for that water because we are life givers,” Jackson said. “We have to teach our children to use less.”

After the speakers shared the ways the tribe works together with the Dowagiac community, the remaining business awards were handed out by MacGregor.

The Rising Star Award was presented to Angela Johnson, the owner of Lifestyle Nutrition, who MacGregor said works to make the community healthier.

Johnson said the purpose of her nutrition club is to have a place where her clients can go to safely. Prior to opening her business, Johnson sold shakes and teas out of her home for three years.

Belew was awarded the Customer Service Award. MacGregor referred to him as the “Dowagiac guy,” as he is known for being a sponsor in chamber festivals and hosting events on the side.

“Such a blessed small town,” Belew said. “I just appreciate anybody who puts time in to make Dowagiac better because that’s what this room is all about.”

The Partnership Award was given to Joseph Odenwald, the future president of Southwestern Michigan College. MacGregor said Odenwald has become a go-to person for the chamber. On a parade night, at the last minute got eight volunteers to help out. When a business in town was closing, he was able to bring people to help work and keep the business open, MacGregor said. Lastly, he helped drive students into downtown Dowagiac.

The Chamber Member of the Year Award went to the Dowagiac Union school district for its caring of the community. Superintendent Jonathan Whan accepted the award. He said it was humbling for the entire school.

MacGregor said she had heard stories of her friends, who are local teachers, taking girls to the store for their first bras, bringing in coats so children could stay warm and of these employees sending food home with children who maybe had not eaten all weekend.

Representatives from across the district were also present to accept the award, including board members, employees from the transportation department and teachers.

“Not one of them got into the career to be recognized,” Whan said. “They got into the career to serve you, your children and this community. … It takes a village to raise children, to raise them to be citizens and to be storefront owners who sweep the streets.”