Grand Rapids, Michigan, Oct. 31, 2025 – Sabo PR earned two awards for its integrated communications campaigns for the Kent District Library gap millage and the City of Kentwood police and fire millage from the Public Relations Society of America East Central District.

The integrated communications firm received a Diamond Award for its Kent District Library gap millage education campaign and was the only West Michigan company to earn a top award in this year’s program. Additionally, Sabo PR received a Merit Award for the City of Kentwood police and fire millage education campaign. The submissions required a detailed account of the research, planning, implementation and evaluation of the campaign.

One of the 10 national PRSA districts, the East Central District represents 15 chapters concentrated in Michigan and five surrounding states. The East Central District Diamond Awards program recognizes “public relations brilliance” in campaigns and tactics that have successfully addressed a communication challenge with exemplary skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The top prize is the Diamond Award, followed by the Merit Award.

“Our team is honored to be recognized regionally for excellence in municipal communications with these awards for our comprehensive millage education campaigns,” said Sabo PR President Mary Ann Sabo. “Both ballot measures required clear, compelling messaging and tactics that demonstrated a need for essential library and public safety services.

“We’re gratified to be recognized by our communications peers for our expertise in guiding clients through complex issues and delivering strategic communications campaigns that earn results.”

Sabo PR launched a three-month integrated education campaign with Kent District Library to explain a previous ballot language error that created a one-year funding gap for its upcoming fiscal year. The effort included web content, FAQs, direct mail, branch signage, social media and more to ensure voters had clear, accurate information. The proposal was approved by 66% of voters, preserving essential library services for nearly 440,000 West Michigan residents.

Sabo PR also led a five-month integrated communications plan to educate Kentwood residents on the community benefits of the permanent dedicated police and fire millage proposal. This involved a website landing page, social media, digital ads, video, media relations, a community forum, postcard mailer and more. Kentwood’s proposal was approved by a substantial 76% of voters, reflecting the community’s support for continued investment in public safety.

Both campaigns previously earned “Gold” in the West Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s annual PRoof Awards program. This is Sabo PR’s second consecutive Diamond Award for municipal communications.