PRESS RELEASE June 18, 2007

Grants totaling nearly $72,000 were awarded to 25 recipients at the Black River Falls Area Foundation’s Social Gathering on June 12 at the Skyline Clubhouse in Black River Falls.  Attending were the grant recipients and special guests called “Friends of the Foundation” who each year contribute $100 or more to increase the available funds for grants.  Also attending were Foundation scholarship donors and recipients.

 

Foundation trustees Jean Lee, Sue Michaelson and Mary O’Brien organized the gathering.  Other Foundation trustees are Gil Homstad, chairman, David Hoffman, vice chairman, Michael Dougherty, treasurer, Todd Anderson, Ron Danielson, John Hogden, David Millis and Fred Stai.  Bee Herzberg is the Foundation’s assistant secretary.  Printed Annual Reports were distributed and are available at the Jackson County Bank or by contacting any Foundation trustee.

 

David Homstad gave the welcome and reviewed significant projects of the Foundation this past year.  He noted the completion of the Foundation Trail Park located on the Foundation Trail off Eighth Street at the site of the old City pump house; the establishment of the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Fund to raise funds for programs and extracurricular activities within the Black River Falls School District, not funded through schools’ budgets; the establishment of the Jackson County Humane Society Jane Erickson Memorial Fund; and the establishment of a Recognition Program for Friends of the Foundation.  He also extended special thanks to long-time Foundation Assistant Secretary Bee Hertzberg who will be retiring the end of the year.

 

Hoffman said, “This year, because of the generosity of our 2006 “Friends of the Foundation,” we were able to increase our grant-giving capability by $15,500.” In reviewing the financial report, Hoffman said the Foundation’s total assets for the year ending December 31, 2006 were $2,161,125 which is a $332,000 increase from 2005.  “It was a great year for the Foundation,” he said.

 

Trustee Sue Michaelson then announced the 2007 scholarship recipients.  They are the following:

  • Calmer Overlien Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,200) - Aaron Epps, Black River Falls
  • Ralph Lund Memorial Scholarship ($750) - Hannah Larkin, Black River Falls
  • Don Halverson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) - Kyle Von Ruden, Black River Falls
  • Duane and Lavina Hoffman Academic Scholarship ($1,500) - Aaron Epps, Black River Falls
  • Duane and Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,000 the first year; $500 the second year) - Samantha Smetana, Black River Falls
  • Lions And Rotary Scholarship ($1,000) - Susie Arndt, Black River Falls
  • Ruby Stamstad Scholarship ($750) - Carla Stenulson, Black River Falls
  • Leland and Jeannette Larson Scholarship ($1,500) - Elizabeth Massman, Taylor
  • David and Marilyn Hoffman Scholarships (up to $6,730 each) - Kathleen Guenther, Black River Falls;  Michaela Rockney, Black River Falls; Emma Jo Severson, Hixton, Black River Falls
  • Philip E. Meyer Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Jennifer Meyer, Black River Falls
  • Anna and James Klir, Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Erin Roseth, Black River Falls
  • Lieutenant Terry L. Preston Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Ellen Devendorf, Black River Falls
  • Alumni Association Scholarships ($1,000 each) - Elizabeth Bragee, Hixton; and Brandi Deno, Black River Falls
  • Fine Arts Scholarship – Anonymous Donor ($1,000) - Nick Hanson, Hixton
  • Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - A$500 grant to the Jackson County EMS Association was awarded from this Scholarship Fund.  Condition of scholarship: Award to student in Fire Science or EMT-related education or if no worthy applicant use for Fire Science or EMT-related materials. 

Trustee Jean Lee then announced the following 2007 grant recipients:

  • Black River Arts Alliance to fund a special "Music & Arts in the Park" program.
  • Black River Memorial Hospice toward planning, implementing and evaluating a Hospice Teen Volunteer program.
  • Black River Memorial Hospital for the 4th installment payment of a $25,000 five-year pledge for their Capital Campaign for use in the OB Department.  (Stanley Held Funds).  
  • Black River Falls Downtown Association toward building a float for the Karner Blue Butterfly Princess and Attendant.
  • Black River Falls Fire Department to purchase a fire extinguisher training system that is safer for the instructor, students and the environment.
  • Black River Falls School District to support eight volunteer positions in the Senior Tax Exchange Program.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Jackson County, Inc. toward purchase of a newer used van.
  • City of Black River Falls Lunda Center Swim Team to fund competitive racing lane lines and reel for lane line storage.
  • City of Black River Falls Rotary Club Skate Park for the third installment payment of a $25,000 three-year pledge to support the construction of the Rotary Club Skate Park in Lunda Community Park.
  • Friends of Bruce Mound, Inc. toward installation of a chairlift for skiers and snowboarders.
  • Friends of the Black River toward support of monthly educational programs about conservation issues in the Black River Falls community and possibly host a Conservation Forum.
  • Jackson County 4-H Shooting Sports towards upgrading equipment for safety purposes.
  • Jackson County Aging Unit to purchase new home-delivered meal carriers.
  • Jackson County EMS Association   to purchase equipment and supplies for the Jackson County Mass Casualty Response Unit Trailer. Approved to award from Dean Nortman Scholarship Fund.  Condition of Scholarship: Award to student in Fire Science or EMT-related education or if no worthy applicant use for Fire Science or EMT-related materials.
  • Jackson County Historical Society  to upgrade electrical items at Carnegie Museum.
  • Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Inc. toward developing a new program entitled Hospital to Home-Easing the Transition and to purchase a window air conditioner.
  • Jackson County Outreach-Bolton Refuge House, Inc. to purchase a shredder, copier and cartridges.
  • Jackson County Teen Court for support of program.
  • Jackson Little League to replace bases with "break away" bases, purchase rakes, hand nail drags and diamond turf home plate mats.
  • Lutheran Social Services - The Connection to purchase tables and chairs.
  • Melrose-Mindoro Area Schools - Band Program  to replace two tenor saxophones cases.
  • Melrose-Mindoro Area Schools - Band Program  to purchase 24 music stands.
  • Riverfront Inc. to purchase refrigerator, stove, and glider chair.
  • School District of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan toward remodeling storage room in lobby of auditorium primarily used to vend concessions.
  • Western Dairyland EOC, Inc. to replace unsafe tools and equipment and provide nutritious participant meals.

           

Photo captions:

1. Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant award for the Jackson County Historical Society was Eugene Gutknecht, center.  With him are Foundation trustees Sue Michaelson, left, and Jean Lee.

 

2.Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant awards were, back, from left, Karen Foust, Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers; and Del DeBerg, Melrose Mindoro Area Schools’ Band Program; front, from left, Geno Valentino, Lutheran Social Services-The Connection; and Dena Quinn, Jackson County Outreach-Bolton Refuge House.

 

3.Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant awards were, back, from left, Cathy Mathson, Lunda Center Swim Team; Grady Gutknecht, Black River Arts Alliance; Jessica Valentino, Black River Falls Downtown Association; John Elliot, Friends of the Black River; Michelle Clark, Black River Memorial Hospice; front, from left, Monica Lobenstein, Black River Falls School District; Steve Schreiber, Black River Falls Fire Department; Max Michaelson, Black River Memorial Hospital; and Brad Chown, Jackson County EMS Association.

 

4.Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant awards were, back, from left, Bryan Staff, Friends of Bruce Mound; Rich Lee, Jackson Little League; Scott Omernik, Jackson County Aging Unit; Ranee Roelse, Riverfront; front, from left, KC Reichenbach, Western Dairyland; Bill Arndt, City of Black River Falls Rotary Skate Park; Paul Hanson, Jackson County Teen Court; and Patrick Guarino, Boys and Girls Club.