The Madison Jaycees announced last month that Michael Perry is the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Service Award (DSA), which is presented to a local individual who has demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership within the shoreline community over the past year. Bestowed annually over the past 60 years, the DSA is the oldest civic award presented in the town of Madison.

According to the organization, Perry’s civic accomplishments include service to the Rotary Club of Madison, acting as club president from 2017 to 2018 and receiving the Distinguished President Award for his achievement. He is also a board member of Vista Life Innovations and the Chamber of Commerce.

According to Jaycees President Ryan McMillian, the Jaycees seek out those deserving of recognition for their efforts and highlighted the ways in which his organization and others support the shoreline.

“We are simply a group of service minded individuals that raise money to help members of the community,” said McMillian. “The three things of help we provide are helping fund local charities like soup kitchens, Meals on Wheels, and Youth and Family Services. Second are donations to athletic teams and associations in the area like the Madison Turkey Trot, and make donations to booster clubs. The final and biggest is that we make direct donations to families in need of help. And those types of families are a family who have kids with children diagnosed with cancer and other diseases who have high medical costs that really put stress on them, families who have lost homes due to a fire, really for families who just need a little extra along the shoreline area.”

According to McMillian, Robert Gerard was also nominated for his service to the Madison Hose Company, including as past chief and as President of the Charlotte Evarts Archives. In appreciation for Perry’s and Gerard’s contributions to the community, the Madison Jaycees have pledged two $1,000 donations to the charities of their choosing, McMillian said.

The Madison Jaycees is an organization comprised of people whose collective goal is to promote the welfare of in the communities in Madison, Guilford, and the surrounding towns through proactive community betterment projects, according to Mcmillian. Over the past 10 years, the Madison Jaycees have provided more than $500,000 to charities and families in the shoreline area.

McMillian said the importance of organizations like the Jaycees and the Rotary are reflected in their mission to simply serve the community.

“Most of us who live on the shoreline are blessed and have done really well, but there are pockets and situations that arise where people simply need help. There are definitely pockets of need within all our communities and that’s where then Jaycees can really help out,” said McMillian. “There is clearly is a need here.”

According to McMillian, the DSA, which has a long and rich history, was given to Perry for his selfless commitment to his community.

“This award has been given out by the Jaycees for more than 60 years and is the oldest civic award in the shoreline area,” McMillian said. “The Jaycees have a very strong lens on the community, and we certainly know good community service when we see it. That is why we take the time to recognize it when that happens and to people who have made an impact. Michael was selected on how much and how effective he is in a number of organizations, like the Rotary. He is such a fantastic person. A couple of things stood out about Michael. He is always at every event. Sometimes people join these organizations and don’t really jump in fully or just want something for their resume and put limits on their commitment. Michael is ever-present. He does all of the little things. Just one example and [it[ really resonated with us, is that he walks down to Stop & Shop buys flowers and brings them right over to the Senior center and just hands them out. That little extra for those who need an little extra or need a smile, he is the person who does that.”

Perry said that community service for him is simple and essential. Like many civic minded community members, Perry is hesitant to reflect on his efforts and hesitates to have any light shined on him, but said it is important to recognize what community service means and bring attention to how critical it is.

“I was both humbled and honored to receive this. What I’ve really found for myself, is that Madison is a really great town, and what makes is so great is all the people who contribute to our community. A community is not the people that live in a town, a community is the people that make their town a better place to live. I think that idea explains my involvement with so many others, that help to make Madison a better place to live,” Perry said. “It was special to be honored by the Jacees because of all the work they do for our community. They do so much to help people with things like the Turkey Trot and the Triathlon, and it is all about giving back to the community.”

The Jaycees are sponsoring their 39th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24. For more information and to register for the race, contact David Moloney at 203-530-6587, PO Box 128 Madison, CT 06443, or via email at themadisonjaycees@gmail.com

The Madison Rotary meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road. For more information, visit madisonctrotary.com.