Bremer selected Imagination Library of Barry County as his charity of choice. He and members of the Delton and Hastings Rotary Clubs worked together to get the Imagination Library started in Barry County. Each month, children in the county, from birth to 5 years old, receive a book in the mail to help foster a love of reading. The organization was founded by Dolly Parton, and while she couldn’t attend the Hometown Hero banquet, a life-size cardboard cutout served as a photo prop.
Today, more than 1,500 children in Barry County are enrolled in the program, receiving more than 83,000 books. Children receive a new book every month from birth through age 5.
The county-wide program is just one of many of Bremer’s community involvement. He served as the Thornapple Township Supervisor and as a Barry County Commissioner. He’s been a member of the Thornapple Parks and Recreation, the YMCA of Barry County, Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital Foundation, the Middleville Heritage Days committee, Middleville Downtown Development Authority and the Village Players.
“Middleville has been blessed with all the efforts that he’s made to our community. He’s made it what it is today. His legacy will reach all generations from small children to senior adults,” said Bremer’s longtime friend Jean Peterson.
Mike’s son, Brett, also spoke to the many gathered at the annual banquet. He said his dad is the person who can never say “no” and is always ready and willing to lend a hand. He was reminded of the many little things his dad has done over the years, like picking up rocks all over the future soccer fields and baseball diamonds so no one would get hurt, and just doing all the things that no one ever thinks about but need to be done.
Others described Bremer as a man with a “can do'' spirit and a person of “kindness, integrity and honesty. He’s not a superhero, but a hometown hero.”
Bremer thanked the guests who gathered in his honor and said he could think of at least 30 or 40 other people who deserve the award. “Thank you. It is an honor. I’ll close with a scripture. It’s from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and it says, ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).’ You are doing that every day. Keep doing it,” said Bremer.
Bremer is TKHS alumni (Class of 1968) and now has several grandchildren attending TK schools. Donations to Imagination Library can be made to Barry Community Foundation, Fund 294, 231 South Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058.
As guest arrived for the banquet, they were entertained by the music of TKHS student and saxophone player Haden Bovee.
Previous Hometown Hero honorees are:
2008: Frank Tichvon
2009: Rex and Christine Schad
2010: Bob and Helen Wenger
2011: Marilyn Finkbeiner
2012: Joyce Domire and Terri Vanderkooi
2013: John Loftus
2014: Don Boysen
2015: Janis Fitzgerald
2016: Jim and Diane Weatherhead
2017: Walt Eavey
2018: Deb and Scott McKeown
2019: Don Williamson
2022: Mike Bremer