“[Humans] are called upon not to be like a thermometer conforming to the temperature of society, but [they] must be like a thermostat serving to transform the temperature of society.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

At the 2024 State of the City Address, Mayor Nancy Smith put out a call to action for all residents to get involved and be an active part of their community. She asked for each and every one of us to become a Community Champion. In the quote above, Dr. King was arguing that we must change society rather than only be changed by what is happening around us. That means finding ways to get involved and actively participate in shaping the community you want to live in.

We now are launching a way for residents to make nominations and share the spotlight with individuals, groups, organizations and more who are shaping out community.  

There is no action too small or too big to spotlight, so if you know someone who deserves the praise, let us know!

Click on the button below to nominate a community champion(s) that deserve recognition.

2024 Community Champion Honorees

Mike Riggs Community Service Award Winners

The Inaugural Mike Riggs Community Service Award. It is named for our late Public Works Director, whom we lost unexpectedly in 2022. Mike was the real deal when it came to community service. He went above and beyond, serving not just the community but also his colleagues and neighbors. His impact on all of us is still felt. 

Mike wasn't the type to sit back when he saw someone in need. He was a doer, often working behind the scenes with little fanfare. He just made things happen. We want that legacy of giving to endure. In honor of Mike, we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on a group of folks who embody his can-do attitude. Just like Mike, they saw an opportunity to lend a hand and took charge. This bunch, with their strong community connections and the support of volunteers, came together to organize an event that not only pays tribute to others but also brings in hundreds of Maricopa residents – both as participants and eager spectators. 

For their stellar teamwork and self-reliance in making this community service happen, it brings me immense joy to present the first-ever Mike Riggs Community Service Award to the brains and muscle behind the Maricopa Veteran’s Day Parade! 

2024 - Organizers of the Maricopa Veterans Day Parade