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Berrien Community Foundation Awarding $122,000 in Scholarships
The Berrien Community Foundation will provide $122,000 in college scholarships to Berrien County students for the 2010-11 school year. The scholarship recipients were recently celebrated at a reception for about 150 donors, scholars, and their guests. “Our Berrien County youth are realizing their educational dreams through these scholarships,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Dr. Nanette Keiser. “Generous donors make it all possible”. Scholarships and recipients honored at the reception included:Edna Bender Scholarship: John-Mark Cuarto (Berrien Springs) (featured speaker); Bryce Boothby Family Scholarship: Erika Stigall (Benton Harbor), Maggie Fish (Lake Michigan Catholic); Drews Scholar: Adam Harshbarger (Lakeshore) (featured speaker); Dunn Scholarship: Todamica Haley (Western Michigan University), Tonya Morton (Western Michigan University) (featured speaker); Jameson Matthew Gargano Memorial Scholarship: Alex Wodarczyk (Lakeshore); Heart of Cook Scholarship: Sepideh Ashrafzadeh (St. Joseph), Jeff Chen (St. Joseph), Adam Harshbarger (Lakeshore), Jonathan Holbert (Berrien Springs), Kayla Warsko (Watervliet), Kyle Zhang (Lakeshore); Drs. John E.N. & Dede Howard Instrumental Music Scholarship: Alexandra Berndt (Boston Conservatory), Zachary Boyt (Western Michigan University), Rachel Eid-Ries (Western Michigan University), Deborah Larsen (Michigan State University), Ariele Macadangdang (Western Michigan University), Kristyn Macqueen (Western Michigan University), Jonathan Reed (Rice University), Megan St. Amand (Western Michigan University), Sara Sulecki (Western Michigan University), Molly Zebell (Western Michigan University); Jon Jollay Scholarship: Chad Herman (Coloma); Lora Wile-Miller Memorial Scholarship: Rachael Kelly (Kent, Washington); Terence Joseph Mulvihill Scholarship: Danielle Fournier, Stephanie Sexton (both New Buffalo); Carol A. Oehlhaffen Lake Michigan Catholic Scholar: Leigh Ann Ives; Carol A. Oehlhaffen Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship: Elizabeth Nuter (Lake Michigan Catholic); Cora B. Parkhurst Memorial Scholarship: Hailey Steinhauser (Berrien Springs); Judith E. Phillipi Scholarship: Angel Fournier, Bethany Gunn (both Watervliet); Arlene B. Porritt Memorial Scholarship for Curious Kids: Sarah Runyon (St. Joseph); Terry Richcreek Memorial Scholarship: Blake Baiers (Watervliet); Don J. Sayan/W. Jack & Dr. Nanette M. Keiser Scholarship: Zachary Harner (Eau Claire); Welch Family Scholarship: Tommie Turney (Benton Harbor); and Wayne K. Wright Scholarship: Courtney Bennett.Scholarship applications will be available at high school counseling offices and on the Foundation's web site by early February 2011. For more information on the Berrien Community Foundation, please visit www.berriencommunity.org or call 269-983-3486. ======================================================= TEAM Provides Grants
TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the Foundation’s youth advisory committee, recently recommended a total of over $23,000 in grants. This included support for Birthright of St. Joseph, Inc.’s Look Good Feel Good Program ($3,500), Hospice at Home's Lory's Place ($1,500), I’m Saving Myself’s Music Camp ($5,000), Readiness Center's Summer Math/Science Camp ($9,063), and Reclaiming, Equipping, and Directing Youth (READY)'s Martial Arts ($4,000). TEAM’s mission is to involve youth in a process that will develop their life-long values and skills of philanthropy, generosity, and leadership. This youth advisory committee is made up of individuals in the 8th-12th grades from all Berrien County schools who desire to address urgent community needs of youth and can volunteer for at least two years. TEAM's grants focus on development of positive youth decision-making skills, positive activities for youth, drug abuse prevention/awareness, and teen sex/pregnancy prevention. The Foundation is actively seeking additional TEAM members for the 2010-2011 school year. TEAM’s goal is to have members from every school district in Berrien County. While open to 8th-12th graders, at least two years of service on TEAM is required. Youth interested in joining TEAM or those interested in recommending a youth may call 983-3304, ext. 2 for an application. Activities resume in the fall. In 1989, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation provided funding to support a vision of youth empowerment and grantmaking through the Michigan Community Foundation’s Youth Project (MCFYP). The Berrien Community Foundation received part of this funding to start an endowment to benefit youth-serving organizations in Berrien County. Since that time TEAM has awarded over $1.3 million in grants and participated in many service projects to enhance the quality of life for youth today and into the future. The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual can put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Berrien Community Foundation, please call 983-3486 or visit www.berriencommunity.org.
Left to Right: TEAM members Deon Atkins and Julie Farrell review grants =======================================================GRANTS AWARDED TO AREA AGENCIES BY “THE HEART OF COOK” "The Heart of Cook” grant recipients for 2010 were announced by Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant during a reception at the Silver Beach Center’s Shadowland Ballroom on May 11. Grants totaling $54,000 were provided to 35 area nonprofit organizations. Seventy five funding requests were received this year. “The Heart of Cook” is a grant program administered by the Berrien Community Foundation targeted to assist educational, human services, and environmental projects and programs in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. The grant review committee, comprised of Cook Nuclear Plant employees, gives special consideration to agencies and projects that have involvement by I&M employees. “These are challenging times for businesses and non-profit agencies,” said Larry Weber, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. “We hope the Heart of Cook grants will help sustain these very important programs as well as show our appreciation to a community that has shown us so much support through the years." Organizations receiving grants of $501-$5,000 were American Cancer Society, Belle’s Buddies Corp., Berrien Artist Guild, Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc., Berrien County Council for Children, Berrien County Health Department, Berrien County Shrine Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Berrien/Cass, Bridgman Fire and Rescue Department, Friends of the St. Joe River, Inc., Gateway, Hospice at Home, Junior Achievement of Michiana, Lest We Forget, Inc., Public Safety Education (Little Squirt), Sarett Nature Center, Shily’s Promise Youth Ranch, St. Joseph Art Association (Krasl Art Center), Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Upton Middle School, and Woodland Shores Baptist Church.
Junior Achievement of Michiana’s Nick Dalton and Sue Young receive a grant check from Larry Weber, Cook Plant Senior Vice President/Chief Nuclear Officer and Rick Tinkle, Heart of Cook Grant Committee Chair (l to r)
Organizations receiving grants of $500 and under included the Benton Harbor Public Library, Benton Harbor SERVE, Bridgman Lions Club, Buchanan Lodge No. 449 (Loyal Order of Moose), Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Cub Scout Pack 419, Eau Claire High School, Friends of the Lincoln Township Public Library, Hands Up Ministry, Lupus Alliance of America-Michigan Indiana Affiliate, Save A Stray, Senior Nutrition Services, Inc.-Region IV, Stewart Elementary, and Unity Temple COGIC. Grant applications for 2011 will be available sometime in January by contacting the Berrien Community Foundation at www.berriencommunity.org.
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN and serves more
than 580,000 customers in Indiana and Michigan. I&M, part of American Electric
Power, is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering
electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. For more information
visit
www.indianamichigan power.com or
www.cookinfo.com ======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation Scholarship Applications Available
The Berrien Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2010 applications are available for its various scholarship programs made possible by several donors. Berrien County graduating high school seniors are encouraged to visit www.berriencommunity.org, Scholarships, for a complete list of available scholarships and criteria. Applications for many of these scholarships programs are available for downloading on this Web page. Berrien County high school counseling offices will receive a limited number of copies of these applications around February 1. Students may check with these offices as well. Applications are due March 8, 2010. Decisions will be announced in early May on the same web site. Please contact 983-3304, ext. 2 with specific questions about the scholarship applications.
======================================================= GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM “THE HEART OF COOK”
Grant applications for $100 and above are again available from Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant. “The Heart of Cook” is a grant program administered by the Berrien Community Foundation targeted to assist educational, human services, and environmental nonprofit projects in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. “Cook employees volunteer thousands of hours to community organizations each year,” said Joseph Jensen, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. “‘The Heart of Cook’s grant program is another way we express our appreciation for working and living in our various communities.” The funding focuses for “The Heart of Cook” grants program are educational projects, human services programs that support families, and environmental protection and preservation projects. The grant review committee, comprised of Cook Nuclear Plant employees, gives special consideration to projects that involve I&M employees. 501(c)(3) tax exempt or equivalent status is required. “In 2009, we contributed $56,000 to fund 33 nonprofit programs and special projects in educational and community-based agencies,” said Rick Tinkle, chair of the employee advisory committee. The grant application due date is February 9, 2010, with awards to be announced in May. Grant applications may be obtained by visiting the Berrien Community Foundation's web site at www.berriencommunity.org starting January 8, 2010. For additional information, please call 269-983-3304, ext. 2.
======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation Grants Over $155,000
The Berrien Community Foundation recently awarded over $155,000 in grants to several Berrien County nonprofit organizations. Grants were provided in the areas of building a spirit of community/arts & culture, nurturing our children, youth leadership and development, lifelong learning, healthful living, and Golden Acorn mini grants for classroom projects. “Our grants support a wide range of Berrien County programs and projects that range from providing a youth filmmakers project to a Heritage Day for all to enjoy,” said Dr. Nanette Keiser, Berrien Community Foundation president. “It is very important in these times that the Foundation supports these various Berrien County organizations as they accomplish their missions.” Building a spirit of community/arts & culture grants totaling $39,420 were provided to the Buchanan Art Center ($10,000), Heritage Museum & Cultural Center ($2,520), New Territory Arts Association ($1,000), North Berrien Historical Society ($3,900), Sarett Nature Center ($5,000), Southwest Michigan Planning Commission ($3,500), Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra ($5,000), and the Krasl Art Center ($8,500). Nurturing our children grants totaled $40,000. These included grants for the Berrien County Council for Children ($5,000), Berrien County Health Department ($2,500), Big Brothers/Big Sisters ($5,000), Children's Music Workshop ($3,000), Hospice at Home's Lory's Place ($5,000), Lake Michigan Catholic Schools ($3,500), Logan Community Resources ($4,000), Sunrise Rotary Club/Foundation ($7,000), and the YWCA ($5,000). TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the Foundation’s youth advisory committee, recommended a total of $24,500 in grants to the Board for approval. This included support for the Berrien Artist Guild ($2,000), Niles Public/Cedar Lane Alternative High School ($3,000), Citadel Dance & Music Center ($4,000), Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries ($6,000), Water Street Glassworks ($2,000), and Winning, Inc. of America ($7,500). Lifelong learning grants totaled $33,150. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Victim Services Unit ($5,000), Berrien County Shrine Club ($1,500), Emergency Shelter Services ($10,000), Harbor Habitat for Humanity ($7,500), and the United Way of Southwest Michigan ($9,150) were funded. The Healthful Living grants support programs that create a healthier lifestyle for Berrien County youth and seniors. Lakeland Health Foundations ($5,500) and the Region IV Area Agency on Aging ($5,500) were awarded grants. Eleven Berrien County school districts received a total of over $7,000 in Golden Acorn classroom mini grants for 22 teacher projects. Ranging from $100-$500 each, these grants enhance classroom activities throughout the County. The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Foundation call 983-3486 or visit www.berriencommunity.org. ======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation Appoints New Members
The Board of Trustees of the Berrien Community Foundation recently appointed 14 new members: Frank Beltran, Wilce Cooke, Colleen Cullitan, Mary Dunbar, David Holgate, Robert Herman, David Kirshenbaum, Patti Kutz, Bill Marohn, Sue Rue, Kimberly Scarpone, Sarah Stocker, Cathy Thieneman, Char Wenham. With these additions, there are now 162 members of the Foundation. These new appointments by the Foundation's Board of Trustees are in recognition of the time, resources, and energies these 14 individuals already contribute to their greater Berrien County communities. Members act as ambassadors for the Foundation, are the critical core of its volunteer base, elect the Board of Trustees, appoint its auditor, and generally support the Foundation’s efforts in Berrien County. “We are very honored to have these 14 wonderful community volunteers join us as members,” said President Dr. Nanette Keiser, “Their community perspectives and insights will enhance our ability to fulfill our mission to serve Berrien County”. The Berrien Community Foundation is celebrating its 57th year and was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders. Its mission is enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in the County. For more information, please call 269-983-3486 or visit www.BerrienCommunity.org. ======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation Elects New Officers and Trustees
Samuel Harris, Benton Harbor; Rose Hunt, Benton Harbor; Anson Lovellette, Stevensville; and Larry Schuler, St. Joseph, were elected Berrien Community Foundation Board Trustees at the September 16, 2009 Annual Board Trustee & Members Meetings held at the Heritage. “We are very pleased to have these four outstanding community volunteers join our Board as Trustees,” said Board Chair Sharon Vargo. Robert Gottlieb and Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks completed 12 years and Allan Westmaas 16 years on the Board. Because of their various activities for the Foundation over the years and in the communities, they were named Honorary Trustees. Rev. James Childs, Benton Harbor, completed 6 years on the Board and was thanked for his service during those years. He and Nadra Kissman, New Buffalo, will serve as the Co-Chairs of the newly formed Emeriti Trustee Council. The Board also elected its 2009-2010 officers—Sharon Vargo (Benton Harbor), Chair; Patricia Forbes (Stevensville), Vice Chair; Tim Passaro (St. Joseph), Treasurer; and Hillary Bubb (Harbor Country), Secretary. Gregory Vaughn, Benton Harbor, who will remain on the Board, was thanked for his two stellar years as Board Chair.
2009/10 Board Officers: Sharon Vargo, Patricia Forbes, Tim Passaro, Hillary Bubb (l to r)
Patricia Forbes and Hillary Bubb are newly elected as officers. Vice Chair Patricia Forbes has lived in the area most of her life and is a Limited Licensed Psychologist. She worked with the Tri-County Head Start as a child therapist/consultant and was in private practice in St. Joseph. She is a facilitator for the Niles Cedar Lane High School’s “Reaching for the Reins” program. She also serves on the Foundation’s Nurturing Our Children Grant Review Committee and Nominating Committee. Board Secretary Hillary Bubb’s foray into community involvement started 25 years ago, when she and a couple of friends started the Ship and Shore Festival in New Buffalo. Since that time she has also been active with the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, New Buffalo Business Association, and the New Buffalo Sesquicentennial Committee. Hillary is actively involved with the New Buffalo Parks Boards and the Women’s Business Center. She also serves on the Foundation’s Nominating Committee.
Trustee Samuel (Sam) Harris grew up in Chicago, Illinois and served with the Chicago Police Department for 31 years. He moved to the Benton Harbor area in 2002 to serve as Benton Harbor’s Chief of Police. In 2005, Samuel became the Chief Deputy of the Berrien County Sheriff Department serving in that position until April 2009. Completing his 43rd year in law enforcement, Sam is now the Deputy Chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. He is an active participant with various organizations helping children and continues to have an active interest in the Benton Harbor community.
Rose Hunt is a native of Benton Harbor and holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Bethel College and is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at Western Michigan University. She retired from the State of Michigan in October 2002 where she was employed by the Departments of Human Services and Office of Management & Budget. After six months of retirement, she was hired as Executive Director for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Benton Harbor community development organization, Citizens for Progressive Change. In May 2007 Rose was selected as the Director of Heartland Human Care Services’ local office, The Opportunity Center (TOC). The Center is an adult education and vocation training program. The mission of TOC is to assist adults with literacy, employment skills, and increase their income levels so families can sustain themselves. Rose has received many awards for her work with Berrien County citizens.
Anson Lovellette earned a BA in economics from Michigan State University and an MA in the same area from the University of California, Berkeley. He served in several information systems positions at the Whirlpool Corporation and other organizations. Presently he is a broker and owner of Pier Realty. He is an active member in several organizations, including the Lakeshore Rotary Club, Director/Board Secretary—United Federal Credit Union, Whirlpool Leaders Club, and Treasurer/Board Member—St. Joseph River Yacht Club. He also serves on the Foundation’s Investment Committee.
Larry Schuler, a fourth generation member of the Schuler Restaurant family, was named President of Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub in 2007. Larry followed the long-standing tradition of “working” at the restaurant since childhood and joined the Marshall, MI organization in 1986. Larry also operates the popular Schu’s Grill and Bar in St. Joseph, Michigan. A graduate of Marshall High School, Larry received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Albion College. In 1995, Larry founded the Schu’s International Triathlon in St. Joseph, an event designated as a United States National Pro Championship for three years. Larry is a former Chair of the Michigan Restaurant Association and Chair of Pacesetter United Way. He is a winner of “Michigan’s Make a Difference” Citizen Award and has conducted fundraising for Hospice at Home and the American Cancer Society. Larry is the Foundation’s Nominating Committee Chair. The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, please visit www.BerrienCommunity.org and/or call 269-983-3486. =======================================================Berrien Community Foundation HonorsGolden Acorn Grantee Award Recipients
The Berrien Community Foundation announced its four 2009 Golden Acorn Grantee Award recipients during its 57th annual celebration held on September 16th at the Heritage Center. Donors, volunteers, fall/spring grantees, and community partners were also recognized during this event. The Foundation’s Golden Acorn Awards have evolved over time from honoring teachers to nonprofit organizations. Berrien County teachers continue to be recognized via the annual Golden Acorn Classroom minigrant program. "With the escalating pressures facing nonprofits, especially over the past few years, we believe that it is very appropriate for the Foundation to recognize their efforts through the Golden Acorn Grantee Awards," shared Dr. Nanette Keiser, Foundation President, "We consider this a special way to recognize these organizations and their programs that have so much impact in our County." The Foundation's four primary grant review committees each identified a program funded during the fall 2008 cycle that best exemplified the committees' criteria based on the originally submitted grant applications and updates provided by the programs. The four Golden Acorn Grantee Award recipients were then recognized at the annual celebration where they were given the opportunity to describe their programs. They also each received an additional $1,000 grant for their previously funded programs.
Representing the Golden Acorn Grantee Awards Recipients: Mamie Yarbrough, Judge Al Butzbaugh (Berrien Trial Court), Mika Page, Sinie Bass (Water Street Glassworks), Julia Gourley, Tami Miller (Krasl Art Center), Kim Kidd, Susan Bond (Children’s Music Workshop) (l to r)
The Krasl Art Center received the Building a Spirit of Community/Arts & Culture Golden Acorn Grantee Award for its Touch Tone Art program. Serving an estimated 45,000 visitors and Berrien County residents, this program provides free cell phone audio tours to allow the Krasl Art Center to inform the community about works of art found both inside its galleries and at sculptures and monuments at outdoor locations throughout Berrien County. The Berrien County Trial Court’s Self-Help Legal Resource Center received the Lifelong Learning Golden Acorn Grantee Award. This program assists families and individuals in resolving their civil disputes and increasing their understanding of our legal system. The program provides forms and informs pro se litigants about their options for self-representation and is on track to serve 5,000 Berrien County residents in its first year. The Nurturing Our Children Golden Acorn Grantee Award was given to the Children’s Music Workshop. The funding provided by the Foundation made it possible for youth in grades 1-12 to be involved with the Children’s Music Workshop various programs in 2008-2009. TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the Foundation’s youth advisory committee, presented the Youth Leadership and Development Golden Acorn Grantee Award to the Water Street Glassworks’ Fired Up! Teen After School Glass program. This program strives to have a positive impact on teens who make and sell their glass art. It is hoped that as they learn about business and public interaction and become better citizens, they will take their places in the greater creative Benton Harbor community. The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, please visit www.BerrienCommunity.org and/or call 269-983-3486. =======================================================
Council on Foundations Recognizes the Berrien Community Foundationfor Compliance with National Standards of ExcellenceThe Berrien Community Foundation is being recognized for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The Council on Foundations and leaders of the community foundation field created the National Standards to aid community foundations in establishing legal, ethical, and effective operational practices that would show the foundations’ transparency and financial responsibility in light of the increased public scrutiny of foundation practices.“Adopting and adhering to these standards of excellence is the best way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to maintaining the trust of the donors, volunteers, grantees, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Nanette Keiser, President, Berrien Community Foundation. "These standards support our mission of building a spirit of community and enhancing the quality of life in Berrien County and beyond." Intended both as a blueprint for internal organizational development and as a tangible set of benchmarks for external assessment of performance, the 43 National Standards address six key areas of community foundation operations:
In order to achieve Confirmation of Compliance with the National Standards, the Berrien Community Foundation underwent an extensive review of their organizational and financial policies and procedures. The Council on Foundations, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit membership association, is responsible for reviewing community foundations’ practices and confirming compliance with National Standards, utilizing experienced community foundation practitioners. The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Berrien Community Foundation, please contact Dr. Nanette Keiser, President, at 983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@BerrienCommunity.org or visit www.berriencommunity.org.
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Berrien Community Foundation 2900 South State Street, Suite 2 East St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269.983.3304 Fax: 269.983.4939 Email: bcf@BerrienCommunity.org |
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