On February 23, the CAN Council will honor Anne Flegenheimer as the 2023 Suzanne Greenberg Child Advocate of the Year during its 30th annual Mardi Gras Auction at Horizon’s Conference Center in Saginaw. Since its inception, the award has honored outstanding individuals and groups for being extraordinarily committed to making the Great Lakes Bay Region a better place for our children.
As president of the region’s Junior League in 2000-2001, she was instrumental in leading the organization to support – through significant gifts of funds, talent and time – the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, which the CAN Council was establishing at that time. A staunch believer in the CASA program, Anne committed to becoming a CASA volunteer herself once her children were raised. True to her word, she completed the program’s training and has since advocated for 13 children who have survived abuse or neglect. Along the way, she’s been a trusted and valued mentor to fellow CASA volunteers and has served on committees focused on retaining trained advocates and recruiting new volunteers.
Anne also valuably served the CAN Council as a fundraising volunteer for our $3.2 million multiyear capital campaign that launched in 2014.
In addition to her involvement with the CAN Council, Anne has championed many other local causes including First Ward Community Center, Heritage High School, Hospitality House, Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw Valley State University Foundation and St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Anne also is a beloved member of a local philanthropic sorority.
Seeking to broaden her advocacy for children, Anne is pursuing a graduate degree in social work from the University of Michigan and is completing a yearlong internship with Child & Family Services. She’s known for listening and leading with her heart and is extremely motivated to do her best in everything to which she commits. The Great Lakes Bay Region has been blessed by Anne’s decades of service, and our children will continue benefiting from her passion, empathy and care for years to come.
CAN Council’s 30th annual Mardi Gras Auction presented by Garber Automotive, and sponsored in part by Amigo Mobility, is a festive celebration encouraging the community to raise their bid paddles, voices, and critical funds for child abuse prevention education. While the event has sold out, the community can still contribute to its success by registering to bid virtually in the online auction opening Sunday, February 19 at https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=cancouncil or give in honor of our Child Advocate of the Year through cancouncil.org.
Anne Flegenheimer named CAN Council Child Advocate of the Year
