Former Mayor and City Manger Barry Givens Will be Honored at the Governor’s Service Awards in Detroit Tonight

Down in Detroit tonight, the state’s Community Service Commission hosts their annual Governor’s Service Awards at the Fox Theater. During the pandemic the ceremony looked much different from it usual glitz and glam, having to operate, and award winners remotely. Just like many other events across the country during the pandemic.

In an effort to make up for some lost time, and to congratulate the many nominees and honorees for the #MIHeroProject, the commission will give special time to recognize those heroes for their service to their community. One special name on the state’s list to honor tonight includes a former Hancock Mayor City Manager, Barry Givens. Givens is expected to be honored during a special moment in the festivities, along with others also given the Mi Hero recognition.

Givens, passed in March of 2020. He grew up in Hancock and was devoted to the prosperity of his hometown. Givens served as Mayor of Hancock from 2004 to 2008. He was an influential member of the MTU SmartZone LFA Board, Portage Lake Water and Sewer Authority, several Hancock committees, the Houghton County Arena Fundraising Committee, and the Hancock Public School YES Committee. He was also a founding member for the Hancock Transit Authority ,and a Copper Country Junior Hockey Association and Hancock Public Schools athletics volunteer. He was memorialized for his volunteering, hard work, charisma, and professionalism with the Hancock Giv Boxes. The Giv Boxes around the community encourages  people borrow sporting equipment, and get active around town.