On the evening of Thursday, June 12, the Michigan City Human Rights Commission hosted its annual Humanitarian of the Year celebration at the Michigan City Senior Center. Over 150 community members, elected officials, and City of Michigan City government staff turned out for this event. The Human Rights Commission has been ensuring that the needs of all people in the community are met since 1981. The Humanitarian of the Year celebration honors individuals who have helped support the Michigan City community in various ways.
City of Michigan City Human Rights Commission Humanitarian of the Year Award Celebration 2025
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Lynn Haverstock, CEO of Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services, was awarded the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Award for his many contributions to the Michigan City community. These include board membership of the Share Foundation for the Handicapped, lifelong membership of the St. Joseph Young Men' s Society, and past membership of the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association’s charter board. Several other individuals were recognized with awards alongside Haverstock.
Derald Borton, chair of the Human Rights Commission, played a central role in the planning of this year’s Humanitarian of the Year celebration. He is quite pleased with the event’s turnout.
“I hope everyone has a good time tonight,” Borton said. “This is an important event because it allows the community to come together and celebrate alongside the winners. I am very proud of all of this year’s award winners. The Human Rights Commission works together with the City of Michigan City to do everything we can to help anybody we can. We are not divided – we’re a team. That’s what I want to see in this time of much division: everyone working together.”
In keeping with its yearly custom, the Human Rights Commission presented three $1,000 scholarships to Michigan City High School students at the Humanitarian of the Year Celebration. The Hawkins/Williams Scholarship was awarded to Michael Walker Jr., the Judi Huber Scholarship was awarded to Madeline Shinn, and the Larry Arness Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Emilio Munoz. Each student plans to use these funds to support their collegiate endeavors.
Mary Ellen Quinn, Michigan City human rights commissioner, has been a member of the Human Rights Commission since 1998, making her the longest-serving member of any board in Michigan City. Quinn remains as passionate about advocating for all people as the day she first started with the Human Rights Commission.
“This event is an excellent opportunity for people to see the positive example set by the Humanitarian of the Year winners firsthand,” Quinn said. “We need to remember to be kind to one another, affirm one another, and appreciate one another. I thank God in Heaven that we have people who care about humanity. Our organization is in a unique position to recognize these individuals because we’re the only game in town. We focus on honoring those who go above and beyond in their service and humanitarian efforts, whether they are a clergy person, a bus driver, or a regular citizen.”
Chief Steve Forker, Michigan City Police Department (MCPD) chief of operations, and Chief Dave Cooney, MCPD chief of services, were each awarded with an Unsung Hero award for their many years of service in keeping Michigan City residents safe.
At Borton’s recommendation, Quinn was awarded the 2025 Community Service Award in recognition of her many years of unflagging service. Quinn attributes her passion for human rights to the open-minded nature of Chicago's North Side, the community that she grew up in. She also cites the Catholic education she received at St. Scholastica Academy and later at Loyola University as part of her motivation to secure justice for all people.
“I’m honored to be receiving the Community Service award,” Quinn said. “People often ask me if I’m going to retire from the Human Rights Commission. I enjoy the work and I love being of service. It’s actually a part of the fabric of the person that I am, so I’m not going anywhere until the good Lord calls me home.”
For more information on the Michigan City Human Rights Commission and for updates on City of Michigan City’s upcoming events, please visit emichigancity.com.
