Press Release November 1, 2005

At the Black River Falls Area Foundation’s Annual Strategic Planning Meeting on October 18th, at the Skyline Golf Club, two incumbent trustees, Jean Lee and Fred Stai, were re-elected to a second three-year term on the Foundation’s board of trustees. Trustee Al Lahmayer, O.D. completed three consecutive three-year terms and was not eligible for re-election. Elected to succeed him was Ron Danielson. The following officers were re-elected to their positions: Gil Homstad, chairman; David Hoffman, vice chairman; and Mike Dougherty, treasurer. Elected secretary, the office held by Lahmayer, was Sue Michaelson.

Gil Homstad presented Al Lahmayer a recognition gift and thanked him for his many years of dedicated service to the Foundation. Homstad said Lahmayer was one of the founders of the Black River Falls Area Foundation. “In 1985, Al was one of eight Rotarians who met once a week in the early morning to organize the development of the Foundation,” said Homstad. “Their goal was to raise $125,000 in start-up funds, and ended up raising $233,000.”

Lahmayer was an original trustee, but because the decision was made to have staggered terms on the board, he volunteered to step down after serving one year. In 1996, he was again elected to the board and has served the maximum nine years. Homstad said, “We appreciate your thoughtfulness, time and commitment to the Foundation and to the community we serve. As an original trustee, secretary and generous donor, we sincerely appreciate all your time, energy and expertise that you have freely given to the Foundation. Al, we thank you very much.”

The Foundation’s eleven-member volunteer board of trustees reflects a variety of community interests and involvement. They oversee the investment of donor funds and the distribution of grants to worthy causes in accordance with donors’ intentions. Trustees serve a three-year term of office, with a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms. They serve without compensation and are selected for their judgement, integrity, and understanding of philanthropic needs.

Other trustees are Todd Anderson, John Hogden, R.Ph., David Millis, Mary O’Brien and Fred Stai. Bee Herzberg is the assistant secretary. In addition to Al Lahmayer, others who have served on the Foundation’s Board since it was organized in 1986 have been Ruth Buswell, John Hagenbrock, Judy Hansen, Jerry Kitowski, M.D., Tom Lister, John Lund, Dennis Richards, Burton (Dale) Sherman, and the late Tom Mills who was the executive secretary.

The Black River Falls Area Foundation was one of the first community foundations in Wisconsin. Since it began, it has awarded grants to many local non-profit organizations, served as a vehicle for people to establish scholarship funds, and it has taken the lead in raising funds for major community projects. Those projects have been the Lunda Community Center, the Black River Falls Public Library, the Skyline Golf Course expansion, the Lunda Community Park and Hoffman Aquatic Center, and the Foundation Trail. In 1996, the Foundation also established “Friends of the Foundation,” which is comprised of people who, each year, donate $100 to be used for additional grant funds.