There’s no doubt Joyce Brasington is strongly devoted to our community’s youth.
She’s worked in the Oxford school district for 10 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator. She’s currently an assistant principal at Oxford Middle School. She’s the mother of two Lakeville Elementary students (Jessica and Jennifer). She leads two Girl Scout troops.
And when she’s not doing all of the above, Brasington volunteers her time and talents with the Oxford-Orion Kiwanis Club ? a group committed to helping local youth.
A woman like that certainly deserves an award.
Fortunately, the Oxford-Orion Kiwanis Club thought so too and recently named the lifelong Oxford resident its ‘Kiwanian of the Year? for her tireless volunteer efforts.
‘I was very humbled because there are so many good people in the (Kiwanis) who all give up their time to help youth in the community,? Brasington said of her award. ‘It was wonderful . . . surprising. You don’t do it for the honors, you just do it to do some good.
Brasington was recognized with the prestigious honor for her ‘outstanding efforts? organizing the April 1 Kiwanis Server Night fund-raiser at Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub (which raised $1,250 for local scholarships ) and coordinating the Tommi Fillion/Kiwanis Club Service Award (which provides two $1,250 scholarships, one for an Oxford High graduating senior and the other for a Lake Orion senior).
Brasington, a 1982 OHS graduate, has been a member of Kiwanis since 2003 and said it’s important to her because ‘I want to be a good role model for my kids.?
‘It’s my mission to help raise kids to become healthy adults. This is just one way I can do it,? she said.
Brasington is quite proud of the fact that all the money the Oxford-Orion Kiwanis Club raises ‘comes right back to the community.?
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Kiwanis Club will be awarding $3,000 to Oxford-Orion FISH; $1,500 to Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance; $500 to Crossroads for Youth; $500 to Redwood, Inc.; $300 to the Lake Orion Baptist School; and $250 to the Graceway Christian Fellowship.
In addition to helping youth and the community, being a Kiwanian is ‘a lot of fun?, according to Brasington, and gives her the opportunity to ‘work with good, supportive people.?
‘I’m among great people,? she said.
The Oxford-Orion Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub.