Recognizing Community Champions in Manistee

The Community Champion of the Month award, organized by the Manistee News Advocate, is designed to honor individuals who make significant contributions to their communities. Throughout 2026, the award has highlighted those dedicated to improving the lives of others in Manistee and surrounding areas.

Dyllan Walker: A Notable Nominee

Dyllan Walker was nominated for the 2026 Community Champion award in June. Jeff Dontz, who submitted the nomination, described Walker as “a young man that has adopted Manistee as his home.” Walker has reportedly volunteered countless hours to enhance area trails and frequently participates in leadership roles within the community.

Walker’s Connection to Manistee

Since moving to Manistee in 2013, Walker has felt at home in the community and strives to make it welcoming for others as well. He shared, “(Manistee) is a community that has made me feel like I’m at home since 2013 when I moved here for the first time. It’s a place that I love being in, and I really want other people to love being here … that’s what drives me to be involved and try and make things better.”

Professional and Volunteer Roles

Professionally, Dyllan Walker works for the Packaging Corporation of America, serving on the corporate health and safety team. His commitment to the Manistee community extends beyond his work; Walker holds the position of board chair for the Manistee Blacker Airport Authority, is president of the Shoreline Cycling Club, and sits on the board of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce.

Philosophy on Community and Involvement

When asked what community means to him, Walker responded, "Community is the people that are around you and the things that they have going on. It’s the things that they care about and the things that they need." He emphasized the importance of involvement, stating, "You should spend time where you are comfortable, and where you feel connected... The reason that it’s important to get involved is because you want to make your community better and you want to make your community a place that you feel comfortable being in. And ideally you want to create a community that other people feel comfortable being in and they want to be a part of it and feel supported."

Advice for Getting Involved

Walker encourages others to participate in community engagement by starting small, noting there is always a need for more involvement. He advises, "Start small and don’t hesitate to get involved with something small... Once you are involved it can get away from you and the last thing you want is to get overwhelmed and burnt out. Find something you care about or find a need that needs to be filled. Just do your best, and that will be better than nothing!"

Community Awards and Next Steps

The public will have the opportunity to vote for the Community Champion winner later in the year. Nominations for the Community Champion award are ongoing, with more information available at bit.ly/ManisteeChampions.

Source: manisteenews.com.