28 Thursday, August 29, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Storm DamageStorm Damage
FROM RAIN, WIND OR HAIL?FROM RAIN, WIND OR HAIL?We’re here to help!We’re here to help!
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL - ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWSFREEFREE
INSPECTIONSINSPECTIONS
- LOCAL & FAMILY OWNED
- LICENSED & INSURED
- PROFESSIONAL STAFF
•BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU MEMBER - 20 YEAR LABOR WARRANTY
OVER 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE!Contact us today at 269-964-2895
or katzroofing.com
to schedule an appointment for your free estimate today!$500 OFF
Any project over $5,000(269)
964-2895Installed by Katz Roofing.
Cannot combine multiple
offers. All work must be
completed by Sept. 31, 2024.
(269)
964-2895$250 OFF
Any project over $3,000
Installed by Katz Roofing.
Cannot combine multiple
offers. All work must be
completed by Sept. 31, 2024.$$$$$$$$$$
$200 - $10,000I BUY All Cars & Trucks
Call Me First! I Pay More!
269-223-3588SHELLY KEHRLE-SULSER
Executive Editor
A half century down and another
50 years to go.
That’s the current status of the
Battle Creek Community Foundation
(BCCF) which celebrated the mile-
stone by inviting the public to a free
block party in the heart of downtown
Wednesday where the food was free
and the mood was upbeat.
Downtown restaurants who set up
on the street included Barista Blues
with hot Italian food, New Holland
with hot wings and pinwheels, The
Cricket Club with fresh, hot pizza
and Umami Ramen’s savory noodles.
Also participating were Pastrami
Joe’s, which plans to open its new,
downtown location at the former
site of Giving Cup BC at 32 West
Michigan Avenue, as well as Cafe
Rica, Torti Taco, the Griffin, Kitchen
Proper and Jimmy Johns.
A crowd of around 400 people
strolled the middle of West Michigan
Avenue where there was music,
corn hole games, a basketball
Block party ushers in second half century of B.C. Community Foundation
44th District State Rep. Jim Haadsma
(D-Battle Creek), presents a State of
Michigan Special Tribute signed by
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and by Lt.
Gov. Garlin Gilchrist acknowledging
the 50th anniversary of the Battle
Creek Community Foundation to
President and CEO Mary Muliett at
the Aug. 21 block party. (Shopper New
photo by Shelly Kehrle-Sulser)Among those celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Battle Creek Community
Foundation (BCCF) Wednesday were retired KCC Foundation President
Teresa Durham, former BCCF President and CEO Pete Christ, BCCF Board
Chairperson John Banks and current President and CEO Mary Muliett. (Shopper
New photo by Shelly Kehrle-Sulser)hoop, a presence by the Calhoun
County Sheriff’s Posse and informa-tion booths from the Chamber of
Commerce, the Visitor’s Bureau and
AccessVision.
The pinnacle was the presenta-
tion of a State of Michigan Special
Tribute signed by Michigan Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov.
Garlin Gilchrist to BCCF President
and CEO Mary Muliett by Michigan
State Rep. (D-Battle Creek) Jim
Haadsma.
The Special Tribute recounts the
founding of the organization in 1974
by Harry R. Davidson, Robert B.
Miller and Leonard L. White and
highlighted accomplishments such
as the creation of the Battle Creek
Area Math and Science Center, the
Burnham Brook Center now known
as the Kool Family Community
Center, the Youth Alliance
Committee, as well as its contribu-
tions to health care, education and
economic development.
“With assets over $100 million, the
Community Foundation continues
to be a leader in fostering collabo-
ration,” reads the Special Tribute,
“innovation and sustainable growth
in Battle Creek, ensuring that the
community thrives for years to come.
We are grateful for everyone who
contributes to the success of the
BCCF and wish them the best in all
future endeavors.”
Led by board chairperson JohnBanks, vice chairperson Rob
Ridgeway and second vice chairper-
son Christopher Baldwin, and, by
former President and CEO Brenda
Hunt who left the position in March,
the BCCF invested $13.7 million in
the community during the last fiscal
year, according to the annual report
distributed at the block party which
was followed by the annual meeting.
Of that, $4.5 million was for schol-
arships, $3.6 million was for grants
and $5.5 million was for community
initiatives.
The BCCF currently holds $137.7
million in total assets.
Muliett emphasized the 50 year
timeline featured in the annual
“impact report” during her public
address.
“We were asked to share more
information about how much we’re
funding out,” she noted, “how many
dollars we’re putting out into the
community. That is all here for you.
We would love feedback on the
report because there’s new informa-
tion in there and it is a celebrationSee BLOCK on 29