Mary Virginia Merrick Award

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Mary Virginia Merrick Award

The Mary Virginia Merrick Award is Christ Child Society’s most prestigious award, named after our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick. The recipients of this high honor have consistently given both financially as well as with great sacrifice of time and effort. This award can be given to anyone who has contributed significantly to Christ Child Society of Detroit. Males, females, organizations, foundations, members and non members have all received this award over the years.

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This year, CCSD was pleased to name legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster George Blaha as the 2025 honoree.

George was recognized for his efforts which have positively impacted the Society and reflect the belief that “nothing is ever too much to do for a child.” In addition to his financial support of CCSD, George has changed the lives of boys living at Christ Child House by personally underwriting tuition to attend Loyola High School and opening doors to additional grants to support ongoing education.

“We all have only so much time and resources to devote to charity, and there are so many in our area who are near and dear to my heart and one of them is Loyola High School,” said Blaha. He is proud to have connected these two “difference makers” in our community acknowledging that “Christ Child House is a place where boys who have faced impossible, intolerable situations are given a chance to succeed. I hope many more Christ Child boys’ lives are enhanced through the Loyola experience.”

1988

1988

1989

1989

Joe Kozo

1990

1990

Father William T. Cunningham

1991

1991

Jacquie Thomas

1992

1992

Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit

Clark Durant

1993

1993

Sister Bridget M. Bearss, R.S.C.J.

1994

1994

Neal Shine

1995

1995

Father Russ Kohler

1996

1996

Mayor Dennis Archer

1997

1997

Sharron Saunders

1998

1998

Amyre Makupson

1999

1999

Lou Baughman

2000

2001

Alex Montaner

2001

2001

Randy Westbrook

2002

2002

Monsignor John Zenz

2003

2003

Paul and Amber Housey

2004

2004

Artisan Associates, Inc.

2005

2005

Patrick and Julie Connelly

2006

2006

Spicy Women Chairwomen:

Irma Elder

Pat Hardy

Joyce Koreman

Bernie Muench

Patricia Oldford

Carol Shaya

2007

2007

Mutschler Kitchens, Inc.

Pulte Homes

2008

2008

Mark Wayne

2009

2009

Eric Cherney

2010

2010

Jon Buechel

2011

2011

John Birney

2012

2012

Dennis Wolf

2013

2013

Terry Nagle

2014

2014

Randy and Craig Rubin

2015

2015

John Yablonky

2016

2016

Carls Foundation

2017

2017

Galencher Nagy Foundation

2018

2018

KW Domain

2019

2019

Pam Harris and 
Motor City Casino

2020

2020

The Angels Among Us: Christ Child Society Members and Patrons

2024

2024

Matt Walters

2021

2021

Michelle and John Kelly

2025

2021

George Blaha

2022

2022

The Pulte Family Foundation,

Carolyn Pulte, and

Christine and David Provost

2023

2023

Katie and Ron Gantner

1988

1989

Joe Kozo

1990

Father William T. Cunningham

1991

Jacquie Thomas

1992

Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit
Clark Durant

1993

Sister Bridget M. Bearss, R.S.C.J.

1994

Neal Shine

1995

Father Russ Kohler

1996

Mayor Dennis Archer

1997

Sharron Saunders

1998

Amyre Makupson

1999

Lou Baughman

2000

Alex Montaner

2001

Randy Westbrook

2002

Monsignor John Zenz

2003

Paul and Amber Housey

2004

Artisan Associates, Inc.

2005

Patrick and Julie Connelly

2006

Spicy Women Chairwomen:
Irma Elder
Pat Hardy
Joyce Koreman
Bernie Muench
Patricia Oldford
Carol Shaya

2007

Mutschler Kitchens, Inc.
Pulte Homes

2008

Mark Wayne

2009

Eric Cherney

2010

Jon Buechel

2011

John Birney

2012

Dennis Wolf

2013

Terry Nagle

2014

Randy and Craig Rubin

2015

John Yablonky

2016

Carls Foundation

2017

Galencher Nagy Foundation

2018

KW Domain

2019

Pam Harris

2020

The Angels Among Us: Christ Child Society Members and Patrons

2022

The Pulte Family Foundation,

Carolyn Pulte, and

Christine and David Provost

2024

Matt Walters

2021

Michelle and John Kelly

2023

Katie and Ron Gantner

2025

George Blaha