Retired Senator Walt North and his wife, Sally, take their dog, Sara, for a walk outside their St. Ignace home Friday, June 6. Retired State Senator Walter North of St. Ignace was honored for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the people of this community and all state residents when he was presented with Michigan's 2008 Community Foundation Award for Philanthropy Thursday, June 19.

The award was given to him by Governor Jennifer Granholm at the 2008 Governor's Service Awards program at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The theater-style event, entitled, "A Night with the Stars," also featured performances by Michigan musical artists and performers, all paying tribute to the honorees. Eight state residents received the Governor's Service Award. In addition to Mr. North's award, Governor Granholm presented the Carter Partnership Award and the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy.

Focused on a motivation to help others, Mr. North has served on foundation boards, chaired them, been active on board committees, offered his experienced advice, raised funds, and provided financial support to community foundations from Battle Creek to Sault Ste. Marie.

Walter North of St. Ignace (center) was presented with Michigan's 2008 Community Foundation Award for Philanthropy Thursday, April 19, in Detroit. Pictured are (from left) Daniel Mulhern, chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission, which organized the event, Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator North, Russell Mawby, chairman emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Rob Collier, president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations. (Photograph by Mike Quillinan) "Walt's the best," Sue Atkins-Wagner, executive director of the Chippewa County Community Foundation, told The St. Ignace News. She nominated Mr. North for the award. "There is nobody in the state of Michigan that has helped this many community foundations. There is no better person for the award. To me, Walt's name is synonymous with community philanthropy."

Mr. North's reputation and his accomplishments have been built upon his genuine concern for other people, a trait he was known for even in his youth.

At 10 years old, Mr. North played Chinese checkers with an elderly neighborhood couple during weekly visits to their house. In his teens, even while on a date, he often made side trips to look in on those he knew. As an adult, he has been known for his visits to the state Capitol Building, talking with friends from janitors to senators. He knows everyone, remembers their last conversation, and always asks about families. Now Mr. North, who is gifted with a fantastic memory, has built a reputation for caring for others, showing his regard for everyone, never forgetting a name, and his ongoing volunteerism as he works to make the area a better place to live.

"That's how he's spent his whole life," said his wife, Sally. "He's done it forever. He's so kind to people. He's generous, appreciates them, and goes out of his way to care for people."

She would know. The couple were students together at Battle Creek Central High School and she remembers those dates when he often would stop at a coach's house or visit a shop owner. He is, she said, always connecting with people.

"It's the very heart of his being," she said. "Part of his make-up is to be with people. He just enjoys people and it's an honest enjoyment. He's never had an agenda. It's just him."

Through the years, Mr. North has found community foundation work offered a way for him to contribute to others. He has dedicated his efforts to helping establish these foundations, he said, because of the lasting support they offer to local people.

He champions the benefits that foundations provide for the people of a community. Foundations, he said, offer financial support for communities and individuals, for projects, and scholarships. The money that is granted is earned from investments. The original donation given to a foundation remains intact in an endowment. The concept allows donors to establish a lasting contribution to their community.

"The thing I really enjoy about endowments," said Mr. North, "is they don't touch the principal, they just touch the earnings, and so it goes on in perpetuity."

Mr. North sits on the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation, Mackinac Island Community Foundation, and the Chippewa County Community Foundation.

He has served on the Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Foundation board for about 20 years, chairing it on four occasions.

He co-chairs the Mackinac Straits Healthcare Foundation, which raises funds for the new St. Ignace hospital.

"My interests don't stop at the city limits," he said. "I just want to help improve the quality of life in the whole Eastern U.P. I just think foundations do great things in the communities they are in, and I like being a part of that."

"Walt always puts other people first," said Wesley Maurer, Jr., who chairs the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. "He is a great resource for all of us, and his sharp wit and great sense of humor can always be counted on in any situation."

He has served on the boards of the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula and the Battle Creek Community Foundation. His family is the largest benefactor of the Battle Creek foundation in its 35-year history, and the boardroom is named for his parents.

A couple of years ago, as travel to meetings at both foundations became increasingly difficult, he resigned from those two boards.

"When I'm in something," said Mr. North, "I intend to be at the meetings."

Mr. North, who enjoys boating, also serves on the Mackinac Island Medical Center board and the Mackinac Straits Health Systems board.

He leads by example. His son, Jim North, chairs the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation, of which Mr. North also is a board member.

All of the boards he is on are volunteer positions with no compensation given to board members.

Through volunteerism and financial contributions, Mr. North has helped to grow community foundations, Rob Collier, president and CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations, told The St. Ignace News.

"Michigan is unique in the country," he said, "because we have a network serving 83 counties and we've seen wonderful growth in community philanthropy in the last 15 years. Individuals like Walt have played a leadership role responding to immediate needs. His leadership to start and grow foundations is why he was recommended for this award."

The North family moved to St. Ignace 42 years ago. Here, they reared four sons, Tom, Jim, Mike, and Dave, and now have seven grandchildren.

Mr. North, a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in business administration, was an accountant before becoming comptroller, and later executive secretary, of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, where he worked for 27 years.

As a State Senator for eight years, from 1995 until 2003, he maintained a perfect session attendance and helped get funding for the construction of the St. Ignace City Marina, the Mackinac County Airport terminal building, and the Fine Arts Center at LSSU.

He is a member of the Battle Creek Central High School Hall of Fame, and last year received an honorary doctorate of Arts and Letters from LSSU.

The Governor's Service Awards are an annual statewide recognition event acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan volunteers. Award winners this year include Lois Herbage of Saginaw, who received the Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteerism; Great Lakes Capital Fund, based in Lansing, which was named the Corporate Community Leader; Cary Levy of Troy, who is Mentor of the Year; the Carson City - Crystal mentoring Program in Montcalm County, which was named Outstanding Mentoring Program; the Medical Care Access Coalition of Marquette, which was named Outstanding Volunteer Program; Sarah Brooks of Grand Rapids, who was named the Senior Volunteer of the Year; Leon Judd of Northville, who was named the Volunteer of the Year; Olivia Thomas of Kalamazoo, who received the Youth Volunteer of the Year award; William Johnston and Ronda Stryker of Portage, who received the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy, and the Alma College - Pine River Superfund Citizen Task Force, which received the Carter Partnership Award.

"These individuals give of themselves to help make life better for our children, our families, our neighbors, and our friends," said Governor Granholm. "It is an honor to recognize these individuals for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others."