Robyn Stratton has joined the foundation board as administrative executive. Robyn replaces recording secretary Kris Jackson, who served the foundation for many years. We thank Kris for her service and we welcome Robyn!

 Robyn was most recently the training and organizational development manager and human resource manager for Genesee County. Robyn’s husband Steve works at Ferris State University. The Strattons live in Big Rapids and have three children, Evan, Owen and Peyton.  Robyn enjoys volunteering, golf and reading. 

“I am happy to be involved with MCCF. The opportunities for people to contribute and make a difference in the community are changing because of the economy and technology.  It feels good to be able to play a small role in MCCF’s mission to grow in ways it can give back to the community,” Stratton said.

There is a popular band called the Black Eyed Peas that currently has a hit single, that contains the following lyrics…”I’ve got a feeling, that tonight’s going to be a great night.”  Well, I have a feeling this year is going to be a great year…especially for the Mecosta County Community Foundation, and those whom we serve.

 We have some exciting projects that we are currently working on that will be implemented a little later this year. I will keep you informed, so stay tuned!  However, prior to talking about what will be taking place down the road, let me talk to you about some of the great work the foundation has accomplished over the past few months.   We have just added another scholarship to the many scholarships available through your foundation.  The Morley Stanwood Education Association Scholarship Fund is intended to be a scholarship awarded to a Morley Stanwood Community Schools graduate attending a college or university and pursuing a degree in education.  This brings the available scholarships awarded through the foundation to 11!   If you get a chance, go to our website and check out all of the available scholarships along with available grants offered through the foundation.  By the way, did I mention we have a new (much more user-friendly) website?

One of the goals we had for this year was to update our website with the following objectives in mind.  Continually add and update content, while making our site extremely easy to use.  We decided the best way to do that was to blow up the old site, and start from scratch.  We put a small committee together and enlisted the professional help of a local company (Net-port) to guide us along the way.  Visit www.mecostagives.com and let me know what you think.

Sadly, we do say goodbye to Kris Jackson who has served the Mecosta County Community Foundation for many years as our recording secretary.  I’m sure everybody shares my sentiments in thanking Kris and wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors.  That brings me to a wonderful addition to the board.  Robyn Stratton joins us as our administrative executive.  Robyn brings with her many years of community service and a wonderful positive attitude to do anything she can to help the foundation serve Mecosta County.  Robyn has a Master of Science Administration degree from Central Michigan, and her Bachelor of Science from U of M.  We are very excited about the skill set she brings to the board!

Once again…exciting news is coming so keep checking out www.mecostagives.com for details.  This year is going to be a great year!

President – Hannah – Crossroads Charter Academy

Vice President – Kramer – Big Rapids High School

Secretary – Kate – Crossroads Charter Academy

Treasurer – Levi – Big Rapids High School

Grants Committee Chair – Erica – Crossroads Charter Academy

Communications Director – Alyssa – Morley Stanwood High School

Fundraising Committee Chair – Rachael – Chippewa Hills High School

Hope Scholarship Committee Chair – Mary Rose – Big Rapids High School

Advisors – Shelly Fortier – Big Rapids High School

                  Mike Bockheim – Morley Stanwood High School

                  Lynn Gerould – Crossroads Charter Academy

                  Geryl Roshak – Chippewa Hills High School

Foundation Advisors – Deb Patterson and Debbie Szot

MCCF Board Member Deb Patterson presents Morley Stanwood Principal, Dennis Szczerowski, with a grant check!

Deb Patterson, MCCF Board Member, presents Morley Stanwood School Principal, Dennis Szczerowski, with a grant check.  The Mecosta County Youth Advisory Committee recommended a number of mini-grants for the amount of $1,432.23. The mini-grants awarded are for programs including preschool literacy, Word Attack!, a digital SRL camera, personal finance and learning centers.

Board member John Norton presents grant check to Tom Hogenson of Mecosta County Medical Center

Foundation board member, John Norton, left,  presents Tom Hogenson of Mecosta County Medical Center a grant check for $741. The funds will be used by the hospital to help renovate the hospital’s birthing center.

Board Member Bob Hampson presents a grant check to Amber Kelso from Rose Lake Youth Center

Rose Lake Youth Camp receives a $700 grant. The award will be used for the sick tent and for camperships/scholarships for Mecosta County residents.

JoAnne Sutton, from Mid Michigan Community Action Agency, receives a grant check from Board Member Kim Von Kronenberger

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency will use their grant award of $2000 for “Walk for Warmth” to assist Mecosta County residents who are experiencing a need for heat or untility assistance or other household emergencies. 

Deb Pattson, MCCF Board Member, presents a grant check to Dick Karsten from God's Helping Hands of Mecosta County

God’s Helping Hands of Mecosta County will use their grant award of $2,796 for emergency food programs.

Crossroads Academy teacher Marcy Jaques accepts a grant check from Board Member Deb Patterson

The Mecosta County Youth Advisory Committee recommend this $400 mini grant to Crossroads Charter Academy for a math program called “Closing the Algebra Gap” to be used in the Middle School.

Board Member Judy Tressler presents a grant check to Dawn Ketchum from Mecosta County Commission on Aging & Senior Center

The Mecosta County Commission on Aging & Senior Center will use their $2,020 award for the S.O.A.R. program. The purpose of this program is for transporting seniors to and from the center that no longer are able to drive for health programs, nutritious meals and activities.

Chippewa Hills School District Superintendent Shirley Howard accepts a grant check from MCCF Board Member Kim Von Kronenberger

Chippewa Hills School Distict is awarded 2 mini grants, recommended by the Youth Advisory Committee. The first grant for $1,544.91 will be used for the Chippewa Hills Basketball Academy and the second grant of $334.50 will be used for an overhead viewscreen at the high school.

Boadr Member Kim Von Kronenberger presents a grant check to Tracy Morningstar from Big Brothers Big Sisters

The Mecosta-Osceola area Big Brothers/Big Sisters will use their Youth Advisory Committee mini grant of $805.58 for two laptops for home visits andcommunity presentations.

Gary Brown of the Mecosta County Parks Commision accepts a grant check from Board President Gary Trimarco

Board President Gary Trimarco presents a grant check of $1500 to Gary Brown of the Mecosta County Parks Commission. The grant award will be used for materials to build a safe and accessible fishing platform in Merrill Park.

Amy Eddinger and Amber Bergman, from Mecosta-Osceola Youth Attention Center receive a grant check from Board Member Deb Patterson on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.  The money will go towards the Transitional Living Program.