Hero Story

Thomas Steele's intrinsic commitment to his community began in his childhood as a Boy Scout, blossomed during his late teens and early adulthood as a submariner in the U.S. Navy, and continues to flourish through his current work with food banks, literacy programs, and historic property preservation. I wish I could say he has one particular service or philanthropic passion, but Thomas will volunteer his money or time to anyone he finds in need! In addition to the information shared on this application, Thomas also has a personal passion for memorializing everyday Michiganders who have served in the military and spends his free time researching veterans who processed through Detroit’s Historic Fort Wayne.
Thomas has done more service in his 44 years than most people have done in a lifetime. He does all of this while working full time, and also made time for service while working and pursuing his bachelor’s degree, and then master’s degree! Here is his service history:

Molex, LLC – Transportation and Industrial Solutions Division Community Pillar Co-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board (DIAB) – 2021
• Provide over 30,000 meals (calculated) nationwide through regional Molex site Q1/2021 food drive.
• Organized virtual and physical food drive to support local food banks in Lincoln, NE, Lisle, IL, Flint, MI, and Tampa Bay, FL.
• Coordinate a regional virtual reading program supporting Detroit nonprofit agency, BrilliantDetroit.
• Organized virtual story reading initiative supporting program for COVID isolated youth and families.
• Work center coordinator for HR Angel Tree and Young Professionals Business Group school supply donation drives.
• Organized collection of over $1,000 annually for donation purchase and distribution from 2015-2019.
*Thomas is a paid employee of Molex, although he did volunteer for this position and all of these activities.

The Whaley Historical House Association, 501(c)(3)
• Secretary, Board of Directors – 2019 -Present
• Member, Board of Directors – 2017 – 2019
• Support the operations of the Whaley Historic House Museum, the historic home of Robert J. Whaley.
• Coordinated resources and execution of monthly Victorian Tea events contributing to museum revenue.
• Participated in the 2020 United Way sponsored Board of Directors Development retreat.

Historic Fort Wayne Coalition, Inc., 501(c)(3)
• Executive Board Secretary – 2008 – 2010
• Projects Committee Secretary – 2005 – 2007
• Assisted in coordinated monthly workday objectives for onsite volunteers.
• Supported the development of monthly initiatives spanning across an 83-acre historical site. Work activities included structural rehabilitation, grounds keeping, surface painting, historic window sash fabrication, glazing, painting, and installation.
• As Secretary, implemented information email broadcast system and social media visibility.
• Re-structured Executive Committee and General Membership meeting minutes. Collaborated with webmaster for public visibility of organization meeting minutes on the website.
• Implemented email broadcast system “Constant Contact” for wider distribution of organizational information and relevant historical research findings for over 250 member recipients.
• Historical Presenter Organization Lead for holiday timeline event – “Christmas at the Fort” – 2009.
• Developed content of highlighted military units at Fort Wayne, Detroit between 1840-1940.

The Henry Ford, 501(c)(3)
• Volunteer Living Historian – Interpreter/Presenter
• National Parks Service – “Reverberations Ceremony” – 5/2014-assisted in the site coordination of kick-off for NPS national simulcast remembrance ceremony.
• National Archives Emancipation Proclamation Exhibition – 8/2012-assisted in coordinating historical presenter volunteers during an exhibition for 36 continuous hours. Provided historical context interactions with over 20,000 guests.
• “Holiday Nights” – 2004 – 2016-conducted collaborative research to develop engaging historical content of selected Michigan Civil War regimental headquarters. Served as an on-site leader ensuring quality presentation, and guest engagement.
• “Civil War Remembrance – Federal Head Quarters” – 2007 – 2016-served on historical presenter leadership team assisting The Henry Ford event staff.
• “150th Anniversary of Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln Exhibit” – 4/2015-provided logistical coordination of volunteer staff, and historical content support to guests during the exhibition.
*Parts of these interpretations/presentations involved contractual payment, although it is my understanding that Thomas often did not accept payment or would donate payment back to living history community groups.

U.S. National Parks Service
• Volunteer Living Historian – Interpreter/Presenter
• Brawner’s Farm National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA – 2012
• Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA – 2013
• Provided onsite living history interpretation to visitors of the military park.
• Conducted multiple group demonstrations and guest interaction with Q&A and equipment demonstrations.
• Enhanced the public experience onsite as a historical interpreter of units who served on location.

Mundy Township Police Department – Mundy Township, MI
• Citizen’s Police Academy – Graduated 2006
• Mundy Volunteer Police (MVP) – 2006-supported community activities, augmenting public safety personnel.

-United States Navy Reserve
• Active Reserve – Commander Submarine Group 9 Detachment, Selfridge ANGB, Mt. Clemens, MI
-United States Navy (Active-Duty June 1997 – May 2004) – USS Pasadena (SSN-752), Pearl Harbor, HI
*Thomas was a paid employee of the government during his service.