This past Monday evening, Sept. 8, Saginaw Community Foundation hosted its 2025 Annual Celebration at Saginaw Valley State University. We gathered together to share how it takes each of us to help build a flourishing community for all.
A staple at our Annual Celebration is the presentation of several community awards. The Joseph W. Madison Youth Award was presented to Lily Winslow, a 2025 graduate of Freeland High School; the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Donna Schantz of Hemlock Elementary School; the Saginaw Community Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Brian Keenan-Lechel; and the Frank N. Andersen Spirit of Philanthropy Award was presented to Al and Beth Thieme.
We also announced our Board of Directors’ Community Improvement Initiative $40,000 grant recipient to HELP Community Violence Intervention Program for their “HELP STEM and CVI Immersion Camp” project.
This project is an innovative strategy by the HELP Community Violence Intervention Program to leverage the skills and talents of youth from communities at high risk of community violence. Following their participation in the 2025 Summer of Innovation: STEM & Innovation Days, specifically the Intro to Drone Technology program, selected youth who successfully obtain their recreational drone pilot licenses will be integrated into a specialized community surveillance program codenamed Operation Night Hawk. This initiative will see these young, licensed drone operators collaborate with HELP first responders and community leaders to enhance community violence intervention strategies, providing real-time situational awareness and contributing to a safer environment. This multi-faceted approach not only offers at-risk youth valuable STEM skills and career pathways but also empowers them to become active participants in addressing the challenges within their own communities.
Thank you to our event sponsor the Saginaw Spirit, our entertainment sponsor Spence Brothers, and our dessert sponsor Hemlock Semiconductor for helping make our Annual Celebration possible. And special thank you to Donny Brown and Stone Street Revival for providing live music entertainment for our guests.