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Dr. Victor Beal Jr. Memorial Endowment
Education and service were very important to Dr. Beal. He graduated from Stanton High School/Central Montcalm High School as valedictorian in June, 1949. After attaining his first Bachelor's degree, Dr. Beal served his country through overseas duty and service as a member of the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He attended Michigan State College/Michigan State University where he received two of his degrees (B.S. in Dairy Production and M.S. in Dairy Cattle Breeding). In 1963, Dr. Beal received his Ph.D. in Population Genetics from Purdue University. His distinguished post-doctorate professional career focused on veterinary disease and animal health. He retired after a career of 40 years in the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. Dr. Beal is remembered for his intelligence, integrity and generosity. By establishing this fund with the Central Montcalm Community Foundation, Lois Beal is ensuring that her son's future will continue by investing in students' futures for years to come. Burkholder Athletic & Educational Scholarship
The Ronald Burkholder Athletic and Educational Endowment was established in memory of her father with an initial contribution of $5000 in the spring of 2005, by his daughter Lisa (Burkholder) Lafferty and family. Lafferty started the Burkholder Endowment from memorial contributions received after the loss of her father to lung cancer in 2003. By establishing this fund, Lisa and her family can be assured that the income generated annually will be available for student scholarships and other educational needs for years to come. The endowment is for student athletics that want to continue their quest for higher education. Community
The foundation may direct grants to any area of need in the community. Education
Supports programs that meet the need of the community's youth. Gurecki Educational Endowment
After the passing of Leo Gurecki, his family established in his name an endowment to be used for CMHS scholarships and local community projects. Leo had been a long time resident of Stanton . He was a life member of both the Stanton American Legion #452 and the VFW Post 5065 of Sheridan. He served on the Stanton’s City Council and was a long time member of the Lions Club. This endowment will serve as a reminder of Leo’s life long commitment to the community. The endowment is for student athletics that want to continue their quest for higher education. Penny's Way Food and Clothing Endowment Penny Thomsen was a life long resident of the Stanton area and a long time employee of the Central Montcalm School District. While employed with the school district Penny would observe children at school whose family were unable to provide them with warm coats in the winter months. She would provide funds from her own pocket to purchase jackets for these children. Penny passed away at an early age but the Penny Thomsen Coat Fund was carried on by a long time friend. Through additional donations and grants from the Central Montcalm Community Foundation this program was able to expand to include all of the elementary schools in the Central Montcalm School District. This program is now being administered by the Stanton First Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship. With the caring and giving thoughts of Penny Thomsen in mind, the Central Montcalm Community Foundation established the Food and Clothing Endowment for the entire Montcalm County community to provide for two of the basic needs. This endowment will help fund organizations that assist those in that need. We are proud to name this after Penny Thomsen as it was Penny’s Way. Kevin Seymour Athletic and Academic Endowment
Kevin Seymour graduated, with honors, from Central Montcalm High School in 1995. He was a year-round athlete, involved in golf, baseball, basketball, and football during his high school years. Kevin married Amie (Shoen) Seymour in 1999 and the two resided in Belding most of their married lives. He was employed at Chili's Restaurant in Grand Rapids but was in the process of changing careers, at the time of his death in 2006, from being a General Manager at Chili's to an AT&T Sales Representative. Kevin is remembered for his love for family and friends, his work ethics, and his love for sports, traveling and camping. Having this scholarship fund and investing in students' futures for years to come is one way Kevin's memory will live on. Bill Thwaites Athletic and Educational Scholarship
In December of 2003 a donation of $25,000.00 was received from Tom and Cheryl Kuks to help establish the "Bill Thwaites Athletic and Educational Endowment". This endowment will allow Bill's legacy to live for many years to come. The endowment is for student athletics that want to continue their quest for higher education.
Tobacco Endowment
In 1999 the Michigan legislature approved the distribution to the certified Community Foundations of Michigan a portion of the interest earnings from the tobacco settlement received by the State from the national tobacco master settlement. These funds were specifically directed to be used to support local community programs that addressed youth and senior health needs. One half of each year distribution from the state was to be distributed and one half was to go into an endowment fund. Since its establishment in 2000 the CMCF Tobacco Endowment Fund has provided over $30,000 in grants to support local youth and senior health programs and the endowed fund currently has over $42,000 in assets. Jackie VanderSteen Endowment In honor of his wife Jackie who passed onto the Lord in 2008, her husband Norb Vander Steen established the Jackie Vander Steen Scholarship. Norb describes Jackie as an amazing woman who loved her family, teaching, travel, and reading. Uniquely, with a passion for aviation, Jackie had an unrealized dream of becoming a career aviation pilot. Jackie worked hard to earn money to take flying lessons and solo-ed soon after her 17th birthday. The intent of the scholarship is to benefit a student attending Western Michigan University who is majoring in either education or aviation science. More information on this scholarship will be forthcoming shortly on our website. The Central Montcalm Community Foundation thanks the Vander Steen family for their thoughtful and generous gift as a way to remember this amazing lady.
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