To:    Editor
From:    Mary O’Brien
284-5604
Date:    July 2, 2010
For Immediate Release, Please

Grants totaling nearly $63,000 were awarded at the Black River Falls Area Foundation’s Friends of the Foundation Social Gathering on June 29 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, Kay Finch and Secretary Sue Michaelson organized the gathering.  Other trustees are Chairman Gil Homstad, Vice Chairman Dave Hoffman, Treasurer Mike Dougherty, Eric Chrisinger, Ron Danielson, Tom Lister, Dave Millis, and Fred Stai.  Beth Overlien is the administrative assistant.  Annual Reports with the theme “Moving Forward” were distributed and are available at the Jackson County Bank or by contacting Beth Overlien at 284-3113.

Sue Michaelson gave the welcome by introducing the trustees and thanking the Friends of the Foundation for their “generous annual donations that each year help increase the dollar amount awarded for grants and special projects.” She also thanked the scholarship donors for establishing scholarships through the foundation.

Gil Homstad reviewed significant events of the foundation this past year.  He noted that in 2009 the foundation saw a 27% gain in stock market investments and 3.1% interest earned on fixed investments for overall earnings of roughly 12%.

Homstad said 2009 Friends of the Foundation donated $18,850, and this total amount was used to fund a portion of the 2010 grants.  “Since 1996 our Friends have played a critical role in providing much-needed grant dollars and they are greatly appreciated,” he said. 

Homstad also noted that the sale of 14.75 acres of that land across from Burnstad’s to the City Utility in 2008 made it possible for the foundation to purchase 14.5 acres across from the Lunda Park for community uses such as soccer fields and a community garden.  “The price of the land saved significant money for the Utility,” he said.  “There are now 44 community gardens available for residents to grow fruits and vegetables for their personal use.  In addition, grading for the soccer fields is planned to begin this year.”

Homstad said another highlight in 2009 was a gift to the foundation of $32,278 from the former Black River Falls Campfire organization.  “When they discontinued their affiliation with the national Campfire USA organization, their funds were donated to the foundation to establish the Black River Area Youth Fund,” said Homstad.  “Fund earnings will be used for projects that will provide an educational experience for youth or an opportunity for them to serve others.”

In 2009, two trustees, Todd Anderson and Mary O’Brien left the board having served the maximum three consecutive three-year terms.  Elected to succeed them were Eric Chrisinger and Kay Finch.  “We very much appreciate the many hours of service Todd and Mary have contributed over the years,” said Homstad.  “We have a productive foundation because of people like them.  We welcome Eric and Kay and with their community involvement, knowledge and experience they will provide excellent input to the foundation’s operations and decisions.”

In reviewing the financial report, Homstad said the foundation’s total net assets for the year ending December 31, 2009 were nearly $2,600,000.   “We’re in good financial shape and will continue “Moving Forward” to increase the foundation’s community support.”

Trustee Sue Michaelson then announced the following 2010 scholarships and recipients: 
Ralph Lund Memorial Scholarship ($750) Fawn Jessie, Black River Falls
Don Halverson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) Adam Nichols, Black River Falls
Duane and Lavina Hoffman Academic Scholarship ($1,500) Ashley Pope, Black River Falls
Duane and Lavina Hoffman Scholarship ($1,000 the First Year; $500 the Second Year) Adam Nichols, Black River Falls
Lions and Rotary Scholarship ($1,000) Morgan Stittleburg, Black River Falls
Leland and Jeanette Larson Scholarship ($2,000) Genevieve Dryak, Alma Center
David and Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship (Up To $7,530) Danica Rockney, Black River Falls
Philip E. Meyer Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Adam Nichols, Black River Falls
Anna and James Klir, Jr. Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Samantha Smetana, Black River Falls
Lieutenant Terry L. Preston Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Danton Green, Black River Falls
Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,000)      Aaron Epps, Black River Falls
Fine Arts Scholarship – Anonymous Donor ($1,000) Sidney Mahan, Black River Falls
Thomas Robert Gilles Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) Hannah Dvorak, Black River Falls
Betsy Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship ($1,000) Jamie Pederson, Black River Falls
Kelly Mauck Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) Conrad Bragee, Hixton
Meghan Powell Memorial Scholarships ($2,000) Hannah Kalina, Alma Center and Stephanie Seichter, Alma Center

Trustee Jean Lee then announced the following 2010 grant recipients:
Adult Community Service Program to purchase cleaning equipment and supplies
Alma Center First Responders to help replace pagers and radios
Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District to purchase materials to renovate flats and backdrops for the Drama Department   
Black River Area Child Care Services, Inc. toward a 10 x10 storage shed
Black River Falls FFA to build a deer exclusion fence for an Agriculture Learning Lab at the Spaulding Road Community Garden
Black River Falls School District toward the purchase of music equipment for the Black River Falls Senior High School through the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Donor-Advised Music Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase five Sewing Machines for the Black River Falls Senior High School through the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase Stability Balls for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center through the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase Jolly Phonic Software for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center through the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase a table and chair set for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center through the Black River Falls Educational Enrichment Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase a Kitchen Play Set for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center
Black River Falls School District toward purchase of an Interactive Smart Board for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center through the Gil and Alice Homstad Donor-Advised Fund
Black River Falls School District to purchase Stability Balls for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center 
Black River Falls School District toward purchase of Literacy and Math Centers for enrichment and remediation for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center
Black River Falls School District for a Wii Educational System for the Forrest Street Early Learning Center
Black River Falls School District toward purchase of Smart Boards funded in part through the Black River Area Youth Fund
Black River Memorial Hospital toward purchase of a newborn resuscitation manikin
Black River Falls Public Library for the History Room operations through the Mary Van Gorden Fund
Bolton Refuge House to purchase a copier for bimonthly newsletters and documents to help victims through the Gil and Alice Homstad Donor-Advised Fund
Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County toward funding for a new roof    
Friends Sharing Food for food items and office supplies
Jackson Little League toward dugouts, fencing and replacing gates
Jackson County Fair Park Renovation for the third installment of the $100,000 five-year pledge for the Jackson County Fair Park Renovation
Jackson County Youth Theater to purchase scripts and performance materials for their summer performance
Melrose-Mindoro Football Booster Club to purchase cabinets, countertops and a sink for a concession stand
Melrose-Mindoro School District to purchase Stability Balls
Neighborhood Food Pantry to purchase a 22 cubic foot freezer through the Jackson County Bank Donor-Advised Fund
Spaulding Road Community Garden toward a new shelter
Western Dairyland, EOC, Inc. to update and purchase new tools and classroom equipment

1.    Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant awards were, back, from left, Rich Lee, Jackson Little League; Justin Blaken, Melrose-Mindoro Booster Club; Duane Bowen, Neighborhood Food Pantry; front, from left, Susan German, Black River Memorial Hospital; Angie Koudelka, Melrose-Mindoro School District; and Jane Ellingson, Black River Area Child Care Services.


2.     Accepting the Black River Falls Area Foundation grant awards were, back, from left, Pat Gower, Alma Center First Responders; Carol Anderson, Friends Sharing Food; Pat Stein, Bolton Refuge House; front, from left, Sara Anderson, Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County; Wendy Everson, Forrest Street Early Learning Center; and Judy Ransom, Forrest Street Early Learning Center.