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Media Contact: Kirsten Stiver 

Email: kirsten@lenaweecf.com

Phone: 517.263.4696

ADRIAN, Mich., Feb. 3, 2025 – Hunters Helping Lenawee, a program of The Lenawee Community Foundation (LCF), announced today a record year of venison donation into the Lenawee community.

As of January 31, 2025, a record 5,185 pounds of venison had been donated to Lenawee food pantries and community meal programs. This was more than twice the amount in the same period last year and equates to nearly 21,000 meals. More than 80,000 meals have been provided to help lessen hunger in Lenawee County through the Hunters Helping Lenawee program since its inception.

Hunters Helping Lenawee began in 2010 with initial funding from individual donors and grants from local foundations, including the Lenawee Community Foundation, along with funds received from a federal grant.

Just over 1,200 pounds of venison was donated that first year, an amount that has more than quadrupled over the life of the program. In Lenawee County, one in six people receive food assistance – about 16,000 people every day. With the ability to feed at least four people with each pound of venison donated, Hunters Helping Lenawee is providing lean, quality protein to help fight hunger here in our community.

“Hunters Helping Lenawee is one of the ways the Lenawee Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter,” said Bronna Kahle, LCF President and CEO. “We’re grateful for the hunters who donate deer, and also for the local processors, food pantries, meal programs, volunteers, and donors who make this program possible — providing nutritious meals to local families, individuals, and seniors in need, helping to build a healthier, stronger Lenawee, now and forever.”

In Lenawee County, hometown pride runs deep and taking care of our neighbors is a way of life. Donating financial gifts helps cover the deer processing fees to ensure more healthy meals can be shared across our community.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit lenaweecommunityfoundation.com/

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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The post Record Year: Hunters Helping Lenawee Donates over 5,000 Pounds of Venison to Lenawee Food Pantries appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

Lenawee Cares, a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation, was established in 2016. A community-driven annual fund and corporate campaign, Lenawee Cares is dedicated to addressing fundamental needs by providing financial support to local nonprofit organizations.

Gleaner Life Insurance Society employees’ Gleaner Gives campaign funds were raised through employee contributions.

Together, we care, and together, we make an impact!

The post Gleaner Gives donates nearly $80,000 through Lenawee Cares appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

In the whirlwind of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the power of gratitude. Yet, it’s this very sentiment that has shaped some of the most remarkable aspects of our community. These positive offerings across our County are not mere coincidence. They are the fruits of deliberate efforts shared by people who believe in and care about our community.  These individuals express their gratitude by sharing their best with others.  They have vision. They share hope. They believe in the potential of tomorrow.

Your Lenawee Community Foundation is built upon those same qualities and is honored to help thoughtful, generous people put their charitable passions to work in meaningful ways.

Lenawee County is special. We are grateful to be part of a caring community – one where people take care of each other and work together to create opportunities for growth. The endowment funds within our Foundation have been established by people firmly committed to the continued growth of our community. Because the funds are permanently endowed, only a part of the earnings are distributed.  This means the donors’ wishes – the expression of their gratitude – will carry forward, touching lives today and for always.

Not only at Thanksgiving, but all year long we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have established endowment funds within our Foundation—and to those who will in the future.  Their commitment ensures that efforts to improve our community will continue across generations. The beauty of these funds lies in their enduring nature, building a healthier Lenawee today and bringing hope for tomorrow.

This year has been particularly significant. Despite the challenges posed by economic uncertainties, our community’s unwavering support enabled your Foundation to distribute substantial grants, including significant contributions to local food pantries. These acts of kindness resonate deeply, especially when many families face hardships.

In total, the Lenawee Community Foundation is on track to distribute over $3 million in grants this year, a testament to the generosity of our donors.

Together, we are not just making a difference; we are forging a healthier, happier Lenawee. For this, and for your unwavering support, we are eternally grateful.

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Bronna Kahle serves as the President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation.  Your Community Foundation partners with individuals, corporations, and organizations to fulfill their charitable goals and dreams for Lenawee.  For information about how your business, any group, your family, or you can help build a better community for today and forever, call 517.263.4696, contact forlenawee@lenaweecf.com , or visit lenaweecf.com

The post Grateful Hearts, Stronger Community: A Thanksgiving Message from Lenawee Community Foundation appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

With the national holiday of gathering together as family and friends, what better way to celebrate this season than by volunteering right here in Lenawee County? And if you are alone during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays, why not consider connecting with people through volunteering!

VOLUNTEER Lenawee! is a great resource to utilize, since it is the community’s local volunteer center. We have opportunities to fit nearly any interest, schedule or skill level. If you would like to volunteer for a local organization, please contact VOLUNTEER Lenawee! and we can help you find the right spot to give of your time, treasure and talents.

If you and your family would like to come together in service, below are some volunteer opportunities that currently are in need of volunteers:

• Habitat for Humanity Restore: community salvage team, donation procurement volunteers, and greeters in store
• Lenawee Medical Care Facility: one-on-one mentorship with seniors, help with group activities such as bingo or chess
• Catherine Cobb Safe House: childcare (playing games with kids) M/W/F from 5:30-7:30 p.m., general beautification efforts (cleaning, raking outside, etc.)
• 4H Youth Development Children and Youth Institute (Michigan State University Extension): share a skill you have (such as knitting, how to do taxes, carpentry, etc.) in a workshop for teens/adults or with a 4H group

Contact Sarah Hartigan for further information or other volunteer opportunities. Happy giving season and have a great day with family and friends!

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Sarah Hartigan is an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) with the Lenawee Community Foundation.  She serves the Lenawee College Access Network, Lenawee Youth Council, and VOLUNTEER Lenawee!

The post Volunteering – Giving Back Article Nov 2018 appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

Dave Herriman, President, Kemner Iott Benz, and Christopher Phillips, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer, County National Bank, are serving as co-chairs of the Lenawee Cares campaign, a program of Lenawee Community Foundation.  Dave Hickman, Chair of the Foundation board of directors stated, “Lenawee is first in our name, because its first in our hearts.”

Herriman and Phillips reported that generous donors and prudent fiscal management had resulted in great progress for Lenawee Cares.  Since its launch in 2016, annual overhead has been cut $150,000 and grants and distributions to the local nonprofits have increased by 46% and they are being disbursed much more quickly.

The Lenawee Cares Advisory Board members, who serve with Herriman and Phillips were introduced, including: Chair Doug Gray, Gray Institute; Vice Chair, Paula Holtz, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Jacob Cooper, Kapnick Insurance; Marne Davies, Kapnick Insurance; Deb Elliott, Gleaner Life Insurance Society; Mark Haag, Lenawee Intermediate School District; Jim Hartley, Madison School District retiree; Khris Henson-Jones, University of Michigan and former local nonprofit executive director; Kim Langley, ProMedica; Joe MacVicar, Kirchoff Automotive; Katie Mattison, First Federal Bank; Janis Montalvo, Love Living in Lenawee Realty; Mary Murray, Image Center; Londa Pickles, Gurdjian Insurance; Brent Schedeler, Brazeway, Inc.; Janelle Stewart, MSU Extension/4-H; and Joe Williams, Old National Bank. 

In addition to carrying out the annual, fall campaign, the Lenawee Cares Advisory Board conducts the grant-making process.  In 2018 local nonprofits are receiving grants and designations totaling $437,000, as 2017 pledges are fulfilled.  In fact by September 30, 82% of the annual funding will be paid to the agencies.  Organizations receiving funding include: Adrian Community Preschool, Associated Charities, Boys & Girls Club, Catherine Cobb Safe House, Daily Bread, Goodwill, Habitat, HOPE Community Center, Hospice, Housing Help, St. Mary’s Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, YMCA, and many more.

Herriman and Phillips acknowledged the Tomorrow’s Pillars Club chair, Jen Lopez, and committee members, Nicki Shoemaker, Sara Herriman, Ashley Beevers, Nicole Hood, and Brandi Bauer.  They host events for the 40 & under crowd, and encourage giving at generous levels based on one’s age.

Appreciation was also expressed for Frank Dick, who is chairing the Pillars Club, consisting of 139 individuals or couples giving $1,000 or more, who in 2017 generously donated $273,000.  In 2018 more than $80,000 has already been committed.

With the campaign just beginning, it was reported that the first workplace campaign to be completed was Kemner Iott Benz, reporting an impressive 26% increase.  Other early results included the Lenawee Cares

Advisory Board members reporting $19,350 in commitments; Anderson Development with a generous $5,000 corporate gift; Madison School District reporting more than $7,500 and still in progress; Old National Bank with gifts exceeding $24,000; and Lenawee Community Foundation staff and board gifts anticipated to exceed $55,000.

Dave Herriman and Christopher Phillips announced that the goal is $600,000 this year, which is a 12% increase.  They expressed optimism in attaining the goal, and more importantly, helping more people in Lenawee with basic needs, such as housing, clothing, and food.  Kasey White told her personal story of being helped as a child at Associated Charities, and now being able to give back to the agency that helped her.   

Because the Lenawee Cares kickoff was held on 9/11, attendees had an opportunity to participate in a service project to honor community heroes on the National Day of Service & Remembrance.

Individuals or businesses with questions, comments, or an interest in participation in Lenawee Cares, are welcome to call Lenawee Community Foundation at (517) 423-1729, or contact Sue Hammersmith or Paula Trentmen.

The post Lenawee Cares Campaign Kickoff appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

It is especially exciting to kick off the Lenawee Cares campaign on 9/11, which is the National Day of Service and Remembrance.  In addition to remembering the thousands who lost their lives, it is a special time to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that was sparked on 9/11/2001 and continues to flourish every day in Lenawee County.

Lenawee Cares, established by our community in 2016, is an efficient and effective annual campaign and grant process, focused on health and human services with an emphasis on meeting basic needs.  Because of generous donors and significantly decreased overhead, funding to local nonprofits has increased by 46% in only 2 years.

To make a reservation for the breakfast meeting, or for additional information call Lenawee Community Foundation at 423-1729 or contact Paula at paula@lenaweecf.com.  There is no cost to attend. 

The post Lenawee Cares Campaign to Kickoff on September 11, 2018 appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

Lenawee Cares is the annual campaign that takes the place of what Lenawee United Way used to do.  100% of gifts stay in Lenawee for the benefit of our local community.  For information call Lenawee Community Foundation at 423-1729 or contact Paula.

The post Lenawee Cares Campaign to Kickoff on September 16 appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.