Staff
Mike Oakes
Executive Director
(231) 845-0326
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Success Stories
Mason County Library - 'Just Imagine'
The Mason County District Library’s ‘Just Imagine’ campaign seeks funds to enlarge the Ludington Library by over 7000 square feet. The expansion will create a new Children’s Library, Activities Center and an enhanced lobby. This expansion is essential for the Ludington Library to continue to serve the growing population of Mason County into the future.
The Halls - An Active Community Lifestyle
It wasn’t long after the Halls moved back to Dave’s hometown of Ludington that they started their active community lifestyle – one that focuses on giving back to the community. They returned to help with Dave’s elderly parents and soon found themselves also helping with streetscaping, projects at West Shore Community College and the start of a YMCA. Morgan Hall, David’s father, was one of the founding board members of the Mason Foundation and Chrissie’s grandparents and parents were both involved in philanthropy. “We feel very much that people who can, have an obligation to meet the needs of the community,” said Chrissie.
The recently...
Kids Against Hunger - YAC Community Project
The Community Foundation for Mason County’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) had a big idea for its annual community project - feed hungry people here in Mason County and worldwide.
The group researched the idea and partnered with the Detroit nonprofit Kids Against Hunger. The YAC then planned and executed a “packing” event where over 16,000 meals were made and eventually delivered all over the world. The Mason YAC group partnered with all Mason County High Schools to raise over $4,200 to purchase food and the materials needed to package the meals.
Kids Against Hunger food packages are a rice-soy casserole...
Merry E. Peterson - devoted to care of others
The Merry E. Peterson Memorial Scholarship was founded on the belief that persons wishing to serve others in the benevolent field of nursing should be given the chance to achieve it. Merry was a graduate with honors from St. Francis School of Nursing in Illinois. During her lifetime, she was devoted to the nurturing care of others and her family wanted to encourage others to pursue this important profession.
The Peacocks - a true love for Ludington
Tom and Gayle have a true love of the Ludington area and with this fund hope to make Ludington and the surrounding area a better place to live. The Peacocks actively use their fund to support their favorite charities and local causes. “We believe that it is important to be an active participant in our community,” said the Peacocks.
The Schraders - Keeping Ludington 'Kid Friendly'
The Todd and Julie Schrader Family Fund was started with the idea of keeping Ludington a great place to raise children. Todd and Julie both work in and love the small town feeling of Ludington. Their fund will look for projects that help keep Ludington "kid friendly".
Smedley Gift - Inspiration for Legacy Society
Following a very significant bequest to the Foundation from Shirley M. Smedley, the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation for Mason County have established the Legacy Society for Mason County. Mrs. Smedley, a retired Ludington business women and entrepreneur, passed away on November 22, 2008. Shirley was a community leader and organizer. She was elected Mason County Citizen of the Year in 1992. She served as president of the Zonta Club, was on the board of the Mason County Historical Society and West Shore Community College, serving as president in 1994-1995. For many years she was a member of the Ludington Chamber of Commerce, serving as president...
The McKnights - Fundholders of the Year
Celebrating $2 million dollars in grants to the community at their annual dinner, the Mason Foundation also recognized Sid and Carole McKnight as the 2009 Fund Holder of the Year. Sid McKnight has summered at Epworth for 50 years and ran his dental practice in Kansas the rest of the year. Now retired, Sid says Mason County is becoming more like his first home as he concentrates his volunteering here - including serving on the Mason Foundation Board of Trustees.
The McKnights, in their quiet, low profile fashion, provided significant gifts in 2009 through the McKnight Family Fund to the Waterfront Sculpture Park, WSCC Scholarship Fund, Ludington Area Arts Council Capital Project,...
