Matching Challenge for Scholarship to Support Local Mothers
Set for June 20th – July 6th
Saginaw, MI. June 15th, 2020 – Protect Life SVSU and the Catholic Community Foundation of MidMichigan announced today the dates for its “Matching Challenge” to raise money for The Hopeful Future Scholarship. The Matching Challenge will run from June 20th to July 6th. A donor has made it possible for every donation made to the Scholarship fund during this time period to be doubled.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, 73% of women choose to have abortions due to financial burden. The Hopeful Future Scholarship will provide money for tuition, room and board, books, and other education-related expenses. Expecting and parenting mothers who are currently enrolled at SVSU or Delta Community College will be eligible to apply.
“There is an incredible need for this scholarship in our community,”
says Matthew Bartels, past-president of Protect Life SVSU and a founding member of the Scholarship. Women should not be forced to choose between their future and their child. We want local mothers and their children to know that they are valued, loved, and deserving of support.”
The dates of the Matching Challenge have significance in relation to the mission and purpose of the Hopeful Future Scholarship. The June 20th start date of the Matching Challenge is Father’s Day and the July 6th end date is the feast day of Saint Maria Goretti. In addition, the Challenge will run over the course of Independence Day weekend.
Those who wish to donate to the Hopeful Future Scholarship fund can do so via the following link: https://ccfmm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1495.
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About Protect Life SVSU
Protect Life SVSU is a group of Pro-life students on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. The group exists out of love for the unborn and their mothers. Protect Life SVSU’s mission is to promote a culture of life on the campus of SVSU by connecting pregnant and parenting students with resources, educating students on life issues, and engaging others in dialogue surrounding the issue of abortion. More info about Protect Life Michigan, the parent group of Protect Life SVSU, can be found at: https://www.protectlifemi.org/.
Alma St. Mary’s Challenge
Went Over the Top!
It is pretty evident that supporters of St. Mary’s School in Alma were up for a challenge this spring.
They raised $34,000 during their annual Mardi Gras Auction, more than doubling the $16,000 donation that three organizations challenged them to match to fund scholarships.
“Many thanks to Jolt Credit Union and the Warner Family Advised endowment funds of the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan and Lux Funeral Home,” said Nancy Schultz, school business manager at Nativity of the Lord Parish in Alma. “Because of their challenge to match their combined $16,000 donation, St. Mary’s community rallied to raise $34,000 for an auction scholarship total of $50,000.”
Schultz said COVID restrictions forced the school to abandon their annual fundraising party and in-person auction. They replaced it with a week-long online auction April 11-17. She said things got interesting Saturday night when larger items were on the auction block and friends were texting each other pushing up the bids.
“Our goal was to match the $16,000,” she said. “But the audience topped the challenge for a great cause.”
Schultz said contributors believe in St. Mary’s school and trust in the administrators, faculty and staff. “They have supported all that we have done,” she said, adding that contributions from members of Nativity of the Lord Parish were strong. “Parishioners know that the Catholic school is important to the future of the Church and our faith. It’s where it starts.”
Parents are in the process of applying for 2021-2022 tuition assistance. Scholarships will be awarded according to the needs of the families. Schultz said the school expects an enrollment of 87 students in Young Fives to 6th grade and 60 preschoolers, double the enrollment of five years ago. For the first time next fall, individual classes are expected to replace split classes in first and second grades.
Although COVID has challenged all aspects of school operations, classes have remained face to face during the entire current school year.
“COVID has actually built our program because parents trust us and know that their children are safe here,” Schultz said. “They know our kids come first.”
Although the new online format was successful, the business manager said she is looking forwarding to returning to an in-person Mardi Gras Fundraiser next year. “We all missed having a party.”
Written by Joan Ramm
2021 Committee Meeting Dates:
Board of Trustees
September 07 | December 07
Executive Committee
July 28 | August 25 | October 27 | November 24
Finance Committee
August 17 | November 09
Grants Committee
August 13 | November 12
Investment Committee
August 18 | November 10
Marketing Committee
August 5 | September 9 | October 7 | November 11
**Committee Meeting dates are subject to change
