The St. Ignace Saints softball team will play for at least another season, owing in part to the $1,500 it received from the St. Ignace Community Foundation. The St. Ignace Community Foundation awarded a total of $12,750 to local groups and organizations at its 19th annual awards ceremony Wednesday, October 26, at the St. Ignace Public Library. The Michilimackinac Historical Society received the biggest grant, $3,500, out of the eight that were awarded.

The historical society plans to use the grant to help fund printing costs for its new walking history tour booklet about St. Ignace and the Straits area. Visitors can walk on the city’s shoreline boardwalk with numbered stations along the way. Each number will represent a section of history in the booklet.

Players and coaches of the St. Ignace 7th and 8th grade Junior Saints football team were awarded $2,500 from the St. Ignace Community Foundation toward the purchase of new uniforms. Since its inception in 1995, the St. Ignace Community Foundation has awarded $143,020 in grants.

The following is a list of Community Foundation grant recipients:

St. Ignace Community Foundation Chairman Jim North (left) congratulates Michilimackinac Historical Society President Keith Massaway on the society’s $3,500 foundation grant. LaSalle High School softball team received $1,500 to help fund its program. Coach Chuck Kingsbury and several of his players and their parents attended to thank the board.

City of St. Ignace received $1,500 that will go toward its lighthouse erection project. City Treasurer Eugene Elmer said the city’s goal is to erect the 52-foot working lighthouse that was donated by the state in April, and complete it by June 1. The effort is connected to the city’s project to extend the shoreline boardwalk to the Chief Wawatam dock, where the lighthouse will be displayed. Cost of the lighthouse project is $51,000. Mr. Elmer said the city has already raised $41,000.

LaSalle High School music department received a $1,000 grant to help with its purchasing of steel band equipment. Band Director Jason Byma, who has experience in a steel drum band, said his goal is to purchase an entire set of equipment for a steel band, which, he said, is quite expensive. For just a starter set, he said, the cost is an estimated $9,000.

“We’re going to start out borrowing equipment and gradually purchase equipment that the school would then own,” he said.

About 25 to 30 students are already interested in the band, he said.

St. Ignace 7th and 8th grade Junior Saints football team was awarded $2,500 to be used to purchase new uniforms and helmets for the players. Coach Chris “Iffer” Marshall said the uniforms the team is using now were purchased eight years ago and are showing their age. Many of the players attended to show their appreciation to the Community Foundation board.

Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUPISD)received a $750 grant to fund new sound technology for classrooms. ISD Superintendent Pete Everson explained that teachers would be given a microphone-type device which enhances their voice to a treble that is slightly higher than the usual classroom noise. He said it is effective to maintain student attention, especially for those with attention disorders.

LaSalle High School’s Just Dessert honors program received $500 that will help with purchasing academic medals. High School teacher and Just Dessert coordinator Mary Sue Kunze said the money will also help with purchasing desserts after the honor roll ceremonies held for students who qualify for the honor roll three consecutive times.

St. Ignace Public Library was awarded a $1,500 grant, which will fund the purchase of Native American reading materials. Librarian Cindy Patten said materials include adult and children’s books and videos on Native Americans and their culture.