Annual Report Spring 2015
Education
Foundation
of
Greenville
Board of
Trustees
Michelle Blaszczynski
S teven Day
Harold Deines
S tephen Foster
Ann Harvey
Michael Hurst
S teven Kemp
Kathy Korson
Jamie McNinch
Kyle O’Connor
Student Representative
Eric Plate
Student Representative
Carolyn Slocum
Paul Warnshuis
Warnshuis
Kire Wierda
Wierda
S tephen Wyckoff
Wyckoff
Peter Haines
Superintendent
Janet Ralph-Warnshuis
Ralph-Warnshuis
Board of Education
W endy Baty
Executive Director
Heather Ebels
Recording Secretary
The EFG celebrates 25 years of service
he Education Foundation of Greenville
(EFG) was established in 1990 when
some concerned citizens recognized a
need to supplement the funds that
supported the public schools. At that time
the concern was primarily to create a
source of revenue to enrich the existing
programs and provide added opportunities
for students. In more recent years it has
sometimes been necessary to help the
district maintain programs during a time of
shrinking funds.
T
This year we celebrate 25 years of service.
We celebrate the support of many
contributors who have enabled us to
remain true to our mission and to expand
our vision. We are grateful to the
community and to employees of the school
district who have been among our most
consistent and generous donors.
With the support of many businesses and
individuals, we have been able to host
many successful fundraisers. These have
not only generated revenue for the
foundation, but have offered enjoyable and
beneficial events to the community.
Mission
Statement
Thanks to the Stafford family and Stafford
Media Solutions who have underwritten
the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Holiday Pops
Concert at the Performing Arts
To acquire and
Center each December for the past
distribute financial
fifteen years. Tickets sell out quickly
and other resources
to local residents and others who
travel significant distances, because it
to the
is closer and more convenient than
Greenville Public
attending their concerts in Grand
Schools.
These resources shall Rapids. All proceeds go to the
Education Foundation. Since its
be used to enhance
beginning, it has raised more than
or supplement
$150,000 for the work of the EFG.
educational
programs and provide
extended educational
opportunities.
The Yellow Jacket Challenge (YJC) was
born out of concern for creating a
healthy community. It quickly
became a popular event held every
April. A side benefit has been the
running clubs that have formed in
every school. Students run regularly
throughout the year and many also
participate in the YJC . Proceeds from this
event are used to provide wellness grants
to the school district.
Guests at the Fall Festival enjoy a delicious
meal and an evening of socializing and fun
while also raising funds to help support the
work of the foundation. This past year, in
addition to a silent auction, tickets were
sold for a reverse raffle. During the evening
tickets were drawn not for winners, but to
identify those who were being eliminated.
The owner of the last ticket drawn received
half the proceeds. This year the event
netted $11,000.
The OUR3 campaign was established to
create endowments for three specific areas
of concern: the performing arts; the needs
of academically ambitious students; and
athletics. Donations now total $979,282
and total grants awarded from these funds
to support these important programs is
$70,944.
This has been a brief snapshot of the past
25 years. Please take a few minutes to read
the rest of the newsletter to learn more
about the work of the EFG.
The mayor of Greenville, John Hoppough, presents a plaque to the
Stafford Family in recognition for their 15 year sponsorship of the
Education Foundation’s GR Symphony Holiday Pops Concert.
Page 2
Financial
Report
Financial Health Of The Foundation
EDUCATION FOUNDATION 2014
Although we continue to see challenging times
financially at all levels, the Education Foundation of
Greenville continues to enjoy strong support.
Income came from two areas: direct support from
gifts and grants, and fundraisers.
Trustees especially appreciate the generous
contributions made by Greenville Public School
employees. During the 2014 school year, they gave
$6,768 mostly through payroll deductions. Total
direct support through GPS employees, businesses
and individuals, and fundraisers was $48,358.
Stafford Media Solutions has been a strong and
consistent supporter of the Foundation. They have
underwritten the cost of the Holiday Pops Concert
by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra for
15 consecutive years. Proceeds from this event
have totaled well over $150,000 and have been
used for teacher grants and student scholarships.
ENDOWMENTS
Wysel Funds
$ 250,876
OUR 3 - Academic Enhancement $ 333,457
OUR 3 - Performing Arts
$ 601,057
OUR 3 - Athletic Fund
$ 22,238
ENDOWMENT GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Wysel Fund
$
8,000
OUR 3 - Academic Enhancement $ 11,075
OUR 3 - Performing Arts
$ 11,204
FOUNDATION ASSETS & INCOME
Cash/Savings/Checking
Investments
Donations & Fundraisers
Income from Investments
$ 47,412
$ 115,969
$ 44,924
$ 31,628
EXPENSES
Operational Expenses
Grants & Scholarships
$ 14,620
$ 34,925
The OUR3 Campaign is in its 7th year. It receives
gifts and pledges that are used to support the
Performing Arts Fund, the Academic Enhancement
Fund, and the newer Athletic Fund. These three
funds, housed at our partner foundation, the
Greenville Area Community Foundation, now total
more than $979,282. $22,279 in grants was awarded to GPS from these funds during 2014.
In total, the EFG awarded $72,795 in grants and
scholarships to the Greenville Public Schools in
2014.
Trustees make every effort to be good stewards of
their resources. The Foundation acknowledges the
expert services provided by the accounting firm of
Dean Jensen, CPA (Hungerford Nichols).
The GHS Advanced Placement Government Class
received funding from the OUR3 Academic
Enhancement Fund. They traveled to Washington
D.C. to see our government in action.
Page 3
Grants and
Scholarships
Congratulations to recipients of
2014 & 2015 grants and scholarships
Teacher Grants
Each year teachers are invited to submit proposals
for grants that are consistent with both the mission
of the Foundation and of the Greenville Public
Schools.
Applications are considered for
individual, team, and interdisciplinary projects, for
speciific subjects, grade-level and building-level
projects. Grants totaling $12,000 were awarded
this year.
Trustees gratefully acknowledge the collaboration
we enjoy with the Greenville Area Community
Foundation (GACF). The two foundations
coordinate their grant cycles to prevent duplication
and overlapping of grant awards.
Wysel Scholarships: Scholarships totaling $8,000
were awarded to eight graduating seniors to attend
college.
Jodi Dewey Memorial Art Scholarship: One
college scholarship for graduating senior, Rachel
Nanzer, was awarded in the amount of $500.
Bob Reed Scholarship: GHS student, Lauren Hijek,
received the $1,000 scholarship.
Richard Diehl Scholarship: $500 awarded to GHS
student, Stephen Roy.
OUR3 Endowment Funds
In 2015, Academic Enhancement and Performing
Arts Grants totaling $27,152 were awarded for the
AP Government Trip to Washington DC;
Elementary Schools Science Camp Scholarships;
and to all the GPS Performing Arts Departments.
EFG Summer Camp Scholarships
The EFG was pleased to award 92 Summer Camp
Scholarships totaling $6,025 in 2014. These
scholarships are available annually to GPS students
in grades K-11 to expand their education by
attending camps and clinics.
Other Scholarships
Sorensen Scholarship: In 2014, three scholarships
totaling $500 were awarded to music students,
Brianna VanHouten, Kay Roy, and Matthew
Bergeron for high school music camps.
Warnshuis Scholarships: In 2014, a $400 scholarship was
awarded to high school band student, Alex Budge to
attend a music camp.
The Baldwin Heights Elementary Juggling Class
benefited from a Wellness Grant out of proceeds
from the EFG’s annual Yellow Jacket Challenge
(YJC).
Page 4
Fundraising Activities
Support EFG Mission
In addition to generous donations from individuals,
GPS staff, and businesses, each year the Foundation
holds the following fundraisers to help support its
mission as well as benefit the community:
Yellow Jacket Challenge (YJC)
Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops Concert
For fifteen consecutive years, the Grand Rapids
Symphony, under the sponsorship of Stafford Media
Solutions and the Stafford Family, has been coming
to the Greenville High School Performing Arts
Center in December to perform its Holiday Pops
Concert to sold out audiences. During that time
period, proceeds have totaled well over $150,000
for the EFG and Greenville Public Schools. This
year’s concert is scheduled for Wednesday,
December 9, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
Fall Festival - “Celebrating Our Future”
Each fall for the past five years, the EFG has been
holding its Fall Festival Dinner & Auction,
“Celebrating Our Future,” featuring a gourmet
dinner and fundraising activities including reverse
raffles and auctions. During that time period, the
event has raised more than $42,300 in support of
the Foundation’s work. Last year’s event was held
September 16, 2014 at the Winter Inn.
The 8th annual YJC, a family-friendly event featuring
a 5K run, one-mile walk, and the Young Yellow
Jacket fun run, was held this year on Sunday,
April 19.
Proceeds benefit the Education
Foundation and its Wellness Grant Program for
wellness, exercise, and nuitrition programs at the
Greenville Public Schools. Event proceeds will allow
the foundation to award $7,000 in wellness grants
during the upcoming year. A total of 345 runners
and more than 150 walkers/fun runners took part in
the event.
Fall Variety Show
Since 2012 the music educators from the Greenville
Public Schools have initiated an October concert
that involves more than 100 local talent, Alumni,
school staff, and students. The purpose is to raise
funds for the EFG’s Performing Arts OUR3
Endowment Fund. Each year the theme focuses on
different styles of music and genres with a variety of
acts. Participants understand the benefits of the
performing arts for all students and this is a way for
them to give back to a cause they so strongly believe
in. The community has come to look forward to this
event each year. This past October, the Variety
Show raised $2,341.
Page 5
EFG Board of Trustees
Member Feature
The Board of Trustees oversees the work of the
Foundation. These trustees are selected from a
across the Greenville Public School District.
They volunteer many hours each year and
receive no compensation. We are pleased to
introduce our newest trustees, and student
representatives:
Kathy Korson - new trustee
Kathy
is
a
1975
graduate of Greenville
Public Schools and a
lifetime resident of
Greenville. She has had
a 37 year career in
banking and is currently
with Isabella Bank in
Greenville. Her husband
Fred is also a native of
Greenville.
Together
they raised four daughters who attended Greenville schools and now have
seven grandchildren attending Greenville schools.
Kathy is a big supporter of the Greenville school
system. She was the first female to join the
Greenville Lion's Club in 1991 and is still an active
member. She is also a member of the Montcalm
County Association of Realtors and a 2014 graduate
of Leadership Montcalm.
A Big THANK YOU, To Outgoing Trustee,
Roger Coles
The EFG’s Board of Trustees would like to take
this opportunity to sincerely thank outgoing and
longtime board trustee, Roger Coles, for his
outstanding
service. Roger has
been a tremendous
asset
to
the
Foundation
for
almost its entire
history. He has
served as president
and member of
s e v e r a l
committees. His
commitment to the
purpose of the
foundation
has
been invaluable.
Despite his busy
personal schedule,
he has always been
very active and
even contributed much behind the scenes.
Thank you Roger for your many contributions to
the EFG and enriching its work for so many
years. You are a tremendous ambassador for
both Education, the Greenville Public Schools,
and the city of Greenville.
Steve Kemp - new trustee
Steve
is
a
1996
graduate of Greenville
Public Schools. He has
had a 14 year career
with
his
family's
insurance agency, Kemp
Insurance.
His wife,
Erin, was born and
raised in Greenville and
is a 1995 graduate of
Greenville
Public
Schools. They have two
children: Annie, age 11 and Will, age 10. Steve has
been the treasurer of the Greenville Alumni
Association for the last 9 years and recently has
accepted a trustee position on the Flat River
Historical Society Board of Directors.
EFG Student Representatives are: (L-R), GHS Seniors;
Kyle O’Connor, son of Dr. Kevin & Jewell O'Connor,
played football and basketball for four years. After
graduation, he is planning on attending the University
of Michigan to study medicine. Eric Plate, son of Rick &
Jill Plate, played football and ran track for four years.
Eric is planning on attending Grand Valley State
University this fall where he will continue his football
career and also pursue Pre-Med.
Page 6
Outstanding
Alumnus Award
2015 - Dr. Anthony Youn, Class of 1990
This year's outstanding alumnus is being recognized not only for his
accomplishments, but for the fact that despite success, he has never
forgotten his hometown or his alma mater.
Dr. Anthony Youn graduated from Greenville High School with
honors in 1990 and with high honors from Kalamazoo College. He
earned his doctor of medicine (MD) degree from Michigan State
University’s School of Human Medicine and completed his general
surgery and plastic surgery at the Grand Rapids MERCY Plastic
Surgery Residency Program. After completing an aesthetic plastic
surgery fellowship with a
prominent Beverly Hills,
California plastic surgeon, he
returned to Michigan to
establish a plastic surgery
practice in metro Detroit.
Dr. Anthony Youn - GHS Class of 1990
He is affiliated with the William Beaumont Hospital of Troy and the Unasource
Surgery Center. He has a number of publications and research. His book, "In
Stitches" has won numerous awards. He is a regular guest on the Rachel Ray
Show and has appeared on numerous other shows. His comments have been
featured in ES Weekly, In
Touch, Life and Style
Previous Recipients
Weekly, the National 1993 Stan Kemp
Class of 1963
Enquirer, the Detroit Free 1994 Ray Tower
Class of 1936
Press, the Detroit News, 1995 Linda O’Connor Stafford
Class of 1956
and the Minneapolis Star- 1996 Fred Meijer
Class of 1937
Tribune, to name a few.
1997 Susan Brace Lovell
Class of 1956
Dr. Youn has been named
one of the top three plastic
surgeons in the United States and is the only Michigan plastic
surgeon named as Top Doctor by U.S, News and World Report.
Despite his many accomplishments and busy schedule, he still
makes time to return home to Greenville each spring to attend
Honors Week and present his family’s scholarship to a graduating
senior. He will also be this year’s Greenville High School’s
Graduation Commencment Speaker. He has always promoted
that he grew up in Greenville and shows appreciation to the
Greenville Public Schools and the impact they have had on him.
Dr. Youn will be recognized with his award at this year’s
Greenville Alumni Banquet on Saturday, June 6, 2015. See
page 7 for more information and contacts about the banquet.
1998 Jerry Blumberg
1999 John Stafford
2000 Richard Rasmussen
2001 Bob Hansen
2002 Larry Sweet
2003 Byron Cook
2004 William L. Johnson
2004 Dr. N. Peter Sorensen, Jr.
2005 Kathy Thomas Holt
2006 Stella Royce
2007 Einer Jorgensen
2007 Gerald Nelson
2008 Karen Carbonelli
2009 William Cook
2010 Walter B. Jaehnig Jr.
2011 Michael Stafford
2012 Tim O’Brien
2013 Bruce Towne
2014 Jeff Day
Class of 1956
Class of 1956
Class of 1931
Class of 1951
Class of 1952
Class of 1950
Class of 1961
Class of 1956
Class of 1962
Class of 1944
Class of 1949
Class of 1954
Class of 1958
Class of 1953
Class of 1960
Class of 1983
Class of 1981
Class of 1986
Class of 1971
Page 7
The Greenville Alumni Banquet will be Saturday,
June 6, 2015 at the Greenville High School
Cafeteria. Social hour begins at 4:00 p.m. with
dinner served at 5:00 p.m. Contact Kemp
Insurance for reservations 616-754-4673.
OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
The Education Foundation of Greenville is seeking nominations for the Outstanding Alumnus
Award. Established in 1993, the honor is awarded annually to candidates who meet the following
criteria: The recipient must:
· be a graduate of Greenville Public Schools.
· be out of high school for ten years.
· have modeled citizenship by sharing their talents for the improvement of the
quality of life for their community, and enhanced the development of youth.
(Career or business success by itself, is not necessarily a criteria).
Using this form, you may nominate yourself or anyone else who meets these criteria. Please
attach a narrative explaining why you believe this individual is deserving of being considered for the
Outstanding Alumnus Award. Please make sure you include your contact information.
The EFG selection committee will determine recipients based on the information provided.
Please be as complete as possible. Those qualified nominees who are not selected this year will automatically be candidates for the following four years. Please complete the form using black ink or type and
mail it to the EFG as follows by January 15, 2016:
EFG Outstanding Alumnus Award Committee
1414 Chase Road
Greenville, MI 48838
Or submit online to: www.efgmi.com
email: [email protected]
OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS
Outstanding Alumnus Nominee______________________________________________
Year graduated from GHS__________________
Home address__________________________________City__________State______Zip_______
Phone: Home________________________________Email ______________________________
Nominator_______________________________________________________________
Home address___________________________________City__________State______Zip______
Phone: Home_______________Work_____________Email ______________________________
Another person to contact for more information about nominee:
Name__________________________________________________________________________
Home Address___________________________________________________________________
Phone: Home________________Work_____________Email _____________________________
2 015 EFG
EFG
Board
Board
Page 8
Giving to the Foundation
EFG - 501(C)3, non-profit, charitable organization
Your gift to the foundation makes a difference. Every gift, large or small, helps Greenville Public Schools
move toward reaching its mission of assuring all students the education necessary to participate as
responsible citizens in an ever changing world.
Important to know
Gifts to the OUR3 Campaign go directly to the endowment funds at GACF.
Your choice, donate to the Academic Enhancement, Performing Arts, or Athletic funds.
Your gifts benefit the students of Greenville Public Schools directly.
Your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
How to give
Monetary gifts can be given by cash or check made out to the
“Education Foundation of Greenville.”
The Foundation accepts gifts of stock and mutual funds.
Or, you may give through a bequest from your will and estate plans.
Please contact the Foundation if you have questions about how you can participate in its mission.
For more information about the EFG, visit our website at: www.efgmi.com
Contact the Executive Director at [email protected] or (616) 754-3686
Education Foundation of Greenville
1414 Chase Road
Greenville, Michigan 48838
www.efgmi.com