LaSalle graduates received a total of $14,691 in scholarships from the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation Wednesday, May 28. Funds contributing to the scholarship money include Education Enhancement, McKinnon, Erin Springsteen, Fred Stearns, Loryce Dyer, and Buchholz Scholarship. Students receiving funds are (front row, from left) Erin Barthelemy, Ashley Peterson, Ashley Neelis, Jodie Langstaff; (middle) Shane Spring, Audrey Wyers, Erin Patti, Megan LaRocque, Colleen St. Onge; (back) Derek Marshall, Taylor Dykstra, James Peterson, Brendon Steiner, Alyssa Pechta, and Ben Lane. Missing from photograph are Jessica Massaway and Nick Montie. More than $212,000 has been given to students and groups since the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation was founded in 1995. That amount includes the $22,991 that was awarded Tuesday, May 28, at the St. Ignace Public Library to 10 students, who received scholarships, and 12 groups for local projects.

"We're extremely proud of what we've been able to do," said Jim North, foundation chair, "and that's all done here in this community."

The foundation manages 16 endowment funds. Grant requests received by the foundation are matched to the endowment funds, and grant awards are determined by the board. Interest and dividends earned on the investments provide the financial support offered to local groups and students.

Those donating to the foundation receive a deduction on federal tax returns and receive a state tax credit.

"When a married couple gives us a $400 donation," said Mr. North, "it actually only ends up costing them about $88. It's a very good way of leveraging your donation dollars."

The foundation has set a goal of increasing its endowment fund balance within the next three years to $1 million, from the current level of about $765,000. Donations can be designated for a specific fund.

"These are donors who live and work here, who own businesses here, who've maybe gone to school here, and have an interest in the area," he said.

This year's spring grant awards were about $1,800 more than last year. Often the grants are a portion of the funds needed by a group, which also receives support from other organizations. A total of $11,691.70 in grant money was awarded by the Foundation to the following organizations:

St. Ignace Area Schools Technology Department: $475 for digital video equipment and software to produce videos for the classroom. The equipment also would be used by the music department and band to record concerts, which could be sold to friends and family.

St. Ignace Area Hope: $1,000 to build an intake station onto the back of the Ferry Lane building, to receive and sort items.

St. Ignace Football Program: $1,000 toward the $12,000 cost to install underground sprinklers to maintain turf on the practice field. Installation is expected to begin in July.

Legacy House: $738 for a washer and dryer. Legacy House offers a safe environment for women who are struggling.

LaSalle High School Mathematics Department: $978.70 to purchase enough graphing calculators to make one available for each student to use in class.

St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority: $1,000 to help fund the $14,000 weekly July and August Bayside Live concerts and Locals on the Bay concerts. The concerts are free to the public.

Eastern Upper Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center: $500 to help make a Life Keepers display quilt to create a visual reminder of those lost to suicide. Area families are contributing photographs to be used in the project.

LaSalle High School Players: $3,000 to help pay for a $7,500 lighting system for school productions. The system is expected to be installed in time for the Christmas production.

Mackinac County Circuit Court: $500 to reward children who are in the court system with gift certificates to area businesses for accomplishments, including being on the honor roll.

St. Ignace Area Schools Music Department: $1,000 to purchase new chairs for the band.

Michigan State University Extension: $500 to help provide bicycles to loan to community people who have no other means of transportation.

LaSalle National Honor Society and Student Council: $1,000 to send student council and National Honor Society members to Camp Daggett in September. The program encourages students to be strong leaders.

Also awarded was $8,300 in scholarships to students from endowment funds including the Education Enhancement Fund, McKinnon Fund, Erin Springsteen Fund, Fred Stearns fund, and the Loryce Dyer Fund. Scholarship recipients include Taylor Dykstra, Ben Lane, Jodie Langstaff, Megan LaRocque, Jessica Massaway, Nick Montie, Erin Patti, Alyssa Pechta, Ashley Peterson, James Peterson, Colleen St. Onge, Shane Spring, Brendon Steiner, and Audrey Wyers.

Receiving Robert Buchholz Scholarships were Erin Barthelemy, Derek Marshall, and Ashley Neelis.

Foundation board members include Chair Jim North, Vice Chair Pete Everson, Treasurer Susan Massaway, Secretary Mary Maurer, Walt North, Heather Brady, Greg Cheeseman, Dorothy Glashaw, Margaret Huskey, Ruth LaChapelle, John McKinnon, Fred Paquin, Brandon Postma, Monica Silet, Mike Springsteen, and Jack Swope.