Haas named recipient of 2024 Golden Deeds award

STURGIS — The Exchange Club of Sturgis Book of Golden Deeds luncheon and awards ceremony March 21 honored Joe Haas for his contributions to Sturgis and St. Joseph County.

Speakers included Haas' older son, Patrick, who thanked his father for being a role model; Kelly Hostetler, director of the St. Joseph County United Way; Mike Hughes, former Sturgis city manager; and Cameron Bullock, Exchange Club president.

Haas also recognized his business partner, Michael Caywood, and staff in their law firm office at HaasCaywood for their ongoing support.

The National Exchange Club’s longest running project, the Book of Golden Deeds Award, recognizes dedicated volunteers who give time and talent toward making their communities a better places to live. The award is the highest honor given by the Sturgis Exchange Club and was started in 1940. The club, part of the National Exchange Club, recognizes residents for "outstanding contributions made by a person or persons to their country, community or fellow man." The award acknowledges those who give beyond their regular job or profession, provide unselfish sharing of personal time for the betterment of the community, and encourage others to serve the community.

Haas was born in Mendon to Patrick and Kathy Haas, the oldest of four children. He graduated from Mendon High School, Kalamazoo College, and the University of Kentucky College of Law. He returned to St. Joseph County and came to Sturgis in 1992 to join the Dresser Law Firm, now HaasCaywood.

He has been a member of Exchange for more than 30 years and served as club president twice. He has been honored as the local Exchangite of Year as well as Southwest Michigan Exchangite of Year.

His boards, volunteer activities and honors include past chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party and Michigan 6th District Republican Executive Committee; past city commissioner and mayor of Sturgis; 2015 Sturgis Citizen of the Year; past member of the Sturgis Hospital board; past mentor and board member of the Sturgis Area Business/Education Alliance; past board member and chair of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority; past member and officer for the Trojan Booster Club and the Sturgis Gridiron Club; current and participating member of the Michigan and Indiana state bars; member of the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Board; member of the board of directors for the Sturgis Area Community Foundation; trustee of the Glen Oaks Community College board of directors and chair of the presidential search committee; and longtime member of the Sturgis Elks Club and past Exalted Ruler. As such, he was instrumental in having the first woman inducted into the Sturgis Elks Club.

As part of Haas' nomination, legal assistant Julie Bregitzer said that Haas "always inspires us to do better and to give back to our home. He encourages his staff and allows us to participate in community services and activities - to make Sturgis a better place."

"Joe gives his time and energy while maintaining a very successful law practice," she said. "He chooses to continually put others first, often to the detriment of his own time, and that is something I respect greatly. He could easily just go home at the end of the day, but chooses to be involved and donate his time and talent."

Haas said he is most proud of The United Way. He started it with Warren English 25 years ago, and served as a board member for many years. Haas said he is "thankful to live in this great community."

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Haas named recipient of 2024 Golden Deeds award