Publication select ▼
ST. CLAIR SHORES — St. Clair Shores resident Karl Schwarzwalder wanted to give back to the community, and he did that by helping to plan various events throughout the year.
Schwarzwalder is the vice chair of the St. Clair Shores Activities Committee. He joined the St. Clair Shores Cool City Committee in February of 2021. He’s also part of other clubs and is a gate guard at Blossom Heath Park.
He said he always feels a sense of pride in volunteering. He watched his father coach hockey when he was younger and as his own children grew up, he started to volunteer more at places including St. Joan of Arc.
“I was (an) usher there. I was on the athletic board there and was involved with being in the concessions area, opening the concession stand up every weekend for our athletic events,” Schwarzwalder said.
He also mentioned many other things he did during his time at St. Joan of Arc. This led to coaching roller hockey in St. Clair Shores and Eastpointe. He also volunteered to hold sideline markers for football games in the Lakeview school district.
Before his children were born, Schwarzwalder was approached by a former mayor about possibly becoming a City Council member. He said he felt that was something a little over his head and decided to lay low for a little while.
“And then as my kids grew and came along, I got involved in raising them, and when they got older and could take care of themselves a little more and my wife had a little more free time and I did, that’s when I decided to start volunteering for the city, ” Schwarzwalder said.
He said the Activities Committee plans four main events throughout the year.
“Starting with our concerts in the park, we do a Halloween event, we do Christmas tree lighting and we do the fireworks, too,” Schwarzwalder said. “And as far as those things go, we serve as support to Parks and Rec.”
He said he works closely with Activities Committee Co-Chair Liz Monger, and with the St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation Department as well as the City Council, to host these events. A few people he works with include Parks and Recreation Event Director Henry Bowman and Parks and Recreation Director Rob Spinazzola. He said the committee offers suggestions for these events and helps out during them. Schwarzwalder even announces at the concerts.
“It’s just a lot of fun seeing the city enjoy them all and come together and have great nights and great memories,” Schwarzwalder said.
He said he loves seeing children’s faces during the Halloween event and the Christmas tree lighting when they see Santa.
Schwarzwalder said it was interesting to learn from previous members who have left the committees over the years.
“It was interesting to learn from the first group of people who were there, watch them and take what they started and grew, and make it even bigger and better,” Schwarzwalder said.
Planning each event is an ongoing process, he said.
“We move from one project to the next in the Activities Committee,” Schwarzwalder said. “And once one is finished, we start planning for the next one, but some of them are under time frames.”
He further explained they have to wait for some of the sponsors to take the lead before they can proceed with planning for the event.
For the Cool City Committee, Schwarzwalder said they are more open to creating new events. The committee, he said, is very involved with the social districts during the summer. With the help of multiple different people from the council and from businesses around the social district area, they’ve come up with new ideas for the events.
“We created a kid zone down there, which we bought all the toys for,” Schwarzwalder said about the social district. “And we get there early. I’m usually there between 4 and 5 o’clock every other Saturday during the summer.”
The Cool City Committee has also hosted a lot of pub crawls and uses the funds to assist families who are in need during the holidays.
“And we’re always looking for new events to do with Cool Cities,” Schwarzwalder said.
He said a lot of people come up to thank him for what he does whether it’s through social media or in person. They also offer suggestions about how to improve the events.
“But it’s not for me wanting people to tell me thank you so much as it is seeing people enjoy themselves,” Schwarzwalder said. “I’ve always said that, in the city, if you can’t find something to do or something that interests you, you’re just not trying hard enough because there’s plenty to do in this city.”
He said people should get involved in volunteering and that it’s very rewarding.
“Both our committees are always looking for people, people that are interested,” Schwarzwalder said. “And I always think that if you are interested but you’re afraid, don’t be afraid, because you’ve got to start somewhere.”
To find out how to volunteer for any St. Clair Shores committees, visit the St. Clair Shores website at scsmi.net. Schwarzwalder said a lot of the committee meetings are open to the public.
“All you would have to do is contact City Hall, find out when those meetings are and you’re more than welcome to attend them,” Schwarzwalder said.
This article is part of an ongoing series recognizing individuals for their service in the St. Clair Shores community. Do you know someone who should be featured? Email Alyssa Ochss at aochss@candgnews.com or call her at (586) 498-1103.
