Judy Chesley

Owning a business began as a practical matter for Judy Chesley and her late husband, Dick Chesley. They were expecting their first child when they opened their store, figuring they could keep the baby right there with them during the day. Dick, Judy, and later their son, ran Hilltop Shopping Center near Hardy Dam for almost 50 years.

“I loved watching it grow and seeing the customers come back year after year,” said Judy. “People feel you’re their friend when you have a mom-and-pop store. You get to know them.”

Over the years, Judy made thousands of the huge cinnamon rolls Hilltop was known for. She also helped introduce many young adults to the workforce. “We had so many nice young people who worked for us,” she said. “I taught them how to make change and interact with customers.”

Today, Judy and her family are still helping students prepare for jobs, just in a different way. Judy created the Chesley Family Scholarship for Grant and Newaygo graduates planning to study entrepreneurship or small business. It was awarded for the first time in 2024.

“School is so expensive and you need all the help you can get,” said Judy. “I’m just one of hundreds who have created scholarships, but I hope that kids who receive it feel proud that someone believes in them.”

Isaac Frisbie

As a student at Newaygo High School, Isaac Frisbie was a member of our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). “YAC provided the opportunity for youth in the community to help others and make an impact,” said Isaac. “I liked meeting students from other schools and the community service we did.”

After graduation, Isaac received a scholarship from the Community Foundation and attended Northern Michigan University. “I wanted to do something in the trades, but I wasn’t sure what that could be,” said Isaac. He talked to another student who was planning to be a shop teacher and it sparked a new idea.

Isaac is now an industrial arts teacher at Reed City High School, where he works with eighth through 12th graders. He enjoys watching students develop their skills, progressing from learning about tools and safety basics to planning and executing their own projects.

He has also found a way to build on his philanthropy experience as an advisor for Osceola County Community Foundation’s YAC.

“It has been cool to help students realize the value in service and giving back,” said Isaac. “I hope they take away that you don’t have to have money to give. Find an organization you’re passionate about and volunteer. You always have an opportunity to help.”

Price Family

While Orville and Wanda Price didn’t push their three children toward specific careers, they did communicate the value of skilled trades. “They told us that skilled trades had been really good paths for them,” said their son Dan Price. “Even if we didn’t pursue it as a career, it would give us good experience to fall back on.”

Beyond their own family, Orville and Wanda worked hard to bring training opportunities to all local students. They were both active in the creation of the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center. Orville, a diesel mechanic, took a leave of absence from his job to help set up the automotive program. Wanda set up and taught the culinary program.

After Orville passed away in 2024, the family created two funds at the Community Foundation to support the Career-Tech Center—one in Orville’s name and one in Wanda’s. “I had a good mom and dad,” said Dan. “Their motto was you might not have a lot of money, but there are still a lot of things you can do. Whatever level you’re at, you can help somebody.”

“Giving through the Community Foundation is one of the ways a person can come from limited means and make a big difference,” Dan continued. “We’re tickled to death to be a small part, because we know that big things start small.”

Pictured: Mat Emerick, Kathy Price, Dan Price, Andrea Price, and Terry Price

Buzz and Shelly Kasprzycki

Shelly Kasprzycki was introduced to community foundations early in life. She received a scholarship from a community foundation and wrote her first grant at age 22. She spent time in the nonprofit sector and became president and CEO of Jackson Community Foundation in 2002. In 2021, Shelly was selected as the next president and CEO of Fremont Area Community Foundation.

However, coming here from the Jackson area was more than just the next step in a successful career for Shelly and her husband Buzz. “I feel like we’re home,” said Shelly. “It’s such a wonderful community. This has been the best experience of my life professionally, and it has been very good for us personally. We’re trying to get all our kids to move here.”

Shelly began her career in public health and went on to lead several nonprofit organizations. She and Buzz met when they were both working for the Red Cross. Buzz also worked in manufacturing for many years and retired from an aerospace company. When the opportunity here at the Community Foundation appeared, the Kasprzyckis were drawn to the rural community with modern amenities like beautiful libraries and a good hospital system.

“I love it here,” said Buzz. “I can’t say enough about this area. Everyone waves and says hi. Living here has taught me to be kinder and more generous.”

In appreciation for the warm welcome they received, Buzz and Shelly created an unrestricted fund at the Community Foundation.

“I like the idea of leaving something for those who come after us,” said Buzz.

“We give through the Community Foundation because of its knowledge, because of the wonderful staff who knows the community, and because of the excellent reputation,” added Shelly. “We give here because we want to be part of this community for generations to come.”

FISH and Great Start Baby Pantry

“It started with a wish,” said Christina Yuhasz, standing in the office space of the Family Information Service Hub (FISH) and Great Start Baby Pantry. “Who would have thought that it would become this?”

FISH grew out of a concern for families whose children weren’t arriving at school kindergarten ready. The truth is it can be hard to prepare kids for kindergarten when you have to focus your energy on how you’ll find housing or tomorrow’s meals.

“Families didn’t know what services existed or how to find help meeting basic needs,” said Christina, a Great Start parent liaison through NC RESA. “There’s such a stigma around needing assistance, and there shouldn’t be. So many families are just one paycheck away from disaster.”

Now FISH sets up in different locations throughout the county to meet with families and help them find resources and apply for assistance. Christina and her colleagues Victoria and Sarah know who to call and how to fill out applications. “We’ve gotten to know local organizations and what they offer,” said Christina. “We can make those connections.”

FISH’s Fremont location, housed in the Fremont Rec Center, is also home to the Baby Pantry. Parents can visit by appointment to pick up diapers, formula, clothes, and other items. They also offer Spanish-speaking service, safe sleep education, medication lock boxes, and more.

The Baby Pantry and FISH serve more than 1,000 Newaygo County families annually. Their work is supported by an array of partners providing grants—like one last fall from the Community Foundation—along with in-kind support and donations. Donation bins at the Baby Pantry are regularly filled with new and gently used items. Some of the items come from past clients, eager to give back.

“Families are so excited to donate back clothes and help someone else,” said Christina. “It’s so rewarding to see. Watching the whole community come around this makes you really grateful.”

Harry and Laura Johnson

Harry and Laura Johnson have made their home in northern Newaygo County since the early 1970s. In addition to their involvement in service organizations like the Lions Club, the Johnsons are passionate about Big Jackson Public Schools. The distinctly rural school district serves kindergarten through sixth grade students in the northeastern part of Newaygo County. The Johnsons’ three sons attended there, and now their grandson does. They are regular volunteers and Laura has served on the school board for more than 20 years.

“The school community is a little family, not just a school,” said Laura. “There’s a support network here.”

The small size of the school means everyone knows each other and people pitch in to help. “We support each other in times of need,” said Laura. “That’s the kind of community we have.”

Harry and Laura have also supported the school by giving to the Big Jackson Public Schools Fund at the Community Foundation. It’s a way to help now and in the future, and it speaks to their love of the school and what it means to the area.

“We don’t have an abundance, but our bills are paid and I think it’s important to share what you have,” said Laura. “Big Jackson has an endowment fund, and we wanted to give to it to support the school. It’s not a lot, but it’s just our little way to support it.”

Newaygo County Autism Community

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children, and children with autism are at an even greater risk—160 times greater, according to a 2017 Columbia University study. This sobering reality was top of mind when the Newaygo County Autism Community developed their Safe Swim Academy.

“When we started the Newaygo County Autism Community group, we thought about what was important,” said Kathe Scott, a founder of the group. “With so many bodies of water in Newaygo County, we believed it would be irresponsible not to offer a program like this.”

The program—funded by a grant from our Amazing X Charitable Trust—provided swimming and water safety instruction for local people living with autism. Beginning with an individual assessment, instructor Dana Simon developed a course for each student based on factors like their experience, abilities, and overall comfort in the water.

With Dana, “we struck gold,” said Kathe. Dana has taught swimming since she was a teenager and holds multiple swimming and water safety certifications. She is also a certified special education teacher. “Where else can you find a special education teacher with these qualifications?” added Kathe.

“Having that experience has been very helpful,” said Dana. “You have to meet them where they are and take small steps.”

Lessons also included sharing tips and skills with parents and guardians. Dana is passionate about teaching layers of protection, from proper supervision and installing self-latching gates around pools to choosing brightly colored swimsuits that are easy to spot in the water.

While all students began and ended classes this summer at their own unique levels, their growth was something to celebrate for Dana and Kathe.

“It has been exciting to see the growth from day one to now,” said Dana. “It’s rewarding to see that progress and how the small steps add up.”

The Beattie Family

Cameron Beattie was social, athletic, and loved to sing in the car. He relished time spent with his older brother and cousins. “He wasn’t a kid who had a small circle,” Cameron’s mom, Kirsten Beattie, shared with a smile.

When Cameron passed away in 2015, so many people attended the Fremont sophomore’s memorial that the service had to be held in the high school gym. In the years since, his legacy has continued through the efforts and generosity of family and friends. Each year, the Beatties host a cornhole tournament with proceeds going to projects or organizations that Cameron was involved in or would have loved.

The family also created a scholarship at the Community Foundation in Cameron’s memory. “It’s for students who may have a little lower GPA, like Cameron, and it includes his sports background,” said Kirsten. “We want those students to know they can be successful.”

It is a fitting tribute to a teenager who once gave away his new tennis shoes because he felt someone else needed them more.

“He told me his old shoes still fit,” remembered Kirsten. “My son was a giver. He knew a single mom down the street worked third shift, so he would play outside with her kids so she could sleep.”

Though Cameron’s life was tragically cut short, reminders of this generous, fun-loving young man are everywhere. The nephew he never got to meet “is so like him,” said Kirsten. His name is prominently displayed at Fremont’s baseball field and, each year, another student continues their education with help from Cameron’s scholarship.

“It was the best way we could think of to keep his memory alive,” said Kirsten. “People tell me, ‘I didn’t know him, but I see his name everywhere.’ It’s very rewarding.”

Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund

This story comes from the newsletter of our affiliate, Mecosta County Community Foundation. While MCCF holds the Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund, the fund also benefits young people in Newaygo, Osceola, Lake, and Montcalm counties.

For more than 50 years, Wheatland Music Festival has been a celebration of the music and art that is passed from person to person and from one generation to the next. The organization’s Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund at Mecosta County Community Foundation continues that celebration and legacy.

Jenine Stickler served on Wheatland’s arts and crafts committee and was a vocalist, pianist, and community leader. “There was always music in her home,” said Pamela Burke, a Wheatland Music Organization volunteer. “She was full of life and giggles. She was a ‘reacher-outer.’ She might stop and visit five people on her way home from work to check on them.”

After Jenine passed away, friends and family created a fund in her memory to help local students develop their artistic abilities. Through the fund, youth with financial need from Mecosta, Newaygo, Osceola, Lake, and Montcalm counties can apply for help obtaining art tools and equipment like instruments, dance shoes, art kits, and more. Teachers and nonprofit instructors can also apply for funding for a group of instruments or art supplies that students can use and take home.

“We established the fund at the Community Foundation because we wanted to have a fund that’s invested and earning interest,” said Pamela. “That makes it permanent, and permanency is the key. The fund will always be there, growing and helping people.”

As the fund helps young people buy instruments, pottery supplies, dance shoes, and more, it introduces new generations to art forms that have been carefully preserved over many years. It also celebrates the vibrant life of a woman who valued creativity and community.

“Jenine was very much a gift-giver,” said Pamela. “This is her still giving. She was full of joy, and filling others with joy would make her so happy.”

For more information on applying for funds from the Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund, visit Wheatland’s website at wheatlandmusic.org or email scholarship@wheatlandmusic.org.

Erich Heger, Teresa Heger, and Steve Vissia

The Heger Vissia Soccer Coaches Scholarship Fund celebrates a historic season and a valued partnership of more than 20 years.

After Erich and Teresa Heger moved to Fremont in the early 2000s, a coworker introduced Erich to the high school’s soccer coach Steve Vissia. Erich became the assistant coach and has worked with the varsity programs ever since.

“Steve opened that door for me, and it’s been a life changer,” said Erich.

“It’s been lifechanging for both of us and for so many kids,” added Steve. “Erich has touched so many lives.”

The boys’ varsity team celebrated its most successful season on record in 2023. It felt like the right time to reveal Erich’s idea for a scholarship. “That was a special group and a special season,” he said. “It was the perfect year to create the scholarship fund.”

The scholarship will be awarded annually to members of the boys and girls varsity teams. The Hegers know first-hand how impactful scholarships can be. Their daughters received scholarships from the Community Foundation and other organizations. “After having received like that, we want to give back,” Erich said.

“We have a lot of gratitude,” said Teresa. “We also wanted to recognize Steve for his leadership and community involvement. Erich and Steve give to the community together, and this scholarship is a great way to honor that.”

Heritage Museum of Newaygo County

If you haven’t been to the museum in downtown Newaygo in a few years, then you haven’t been to the museum. After a dramatic renovation and rebranding, the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County is spacious, bright, and a perfect combination of new and historic. It features engaging exhibits, multi-functional meeting spaces, a gift shop showcasing local art, and more.

“We want to be a center for the community,” said Steven Radtke, executive director. “We’re proud of creating a space everyone can engage in and where everyone can come to learn.”

The museum highlights some of the most significant events, features, and industries in Newaygo County’s history. Adults and students are also welcomed regularly for classes, lectures, and educational programs. A 2023 grant from the Community Foundation helped fund more interactive displays.

“There’s a perception that history has no relevance to today or that museums are old and uninteresting,” said Steven. “We’re working to combat that. We’re breaking apart the idea of a dusty, old museum.”

Steven brought a lifelong love of history to his position in 2018, along with extensive experience in exhibit design. “When this job came up, it was right up my alley,” he said. “It’s been rewarding to work with the community, be part of the community, and make something that the community can be proud of.”

Dale and Sue Twing

White Cloud has always been the home of passionate, hard-working people who care for their families and their community. Dale Twing’s family has been there since the 1880s, and he and his wife, Sue, continue to be a part of that White Cloud legacy.

“People are what make a community, and this is a community you need to get involved in because it’s so small,” said Sue. “We have a commitment to it.”

Sue and Dale have owned several businesses and served on multiple boards and committees. Dale is also Newaygo County’s longtime drain commissioner and a former Community Foundation trustee. They are passionate about parks and lakes, giving second chances, and supporting the local autism community.

“There are a lot of ways to help out there,” said Dale. “You just need to get people engaged. You can’t always fix what’s happening nationally, but you can help your neighbor.”

One of the many ways the Twings have gotten involved is by using their fund at the Community Foundation to further support what they’re passionate about. “It’s been very fulfilling,” said Sue. “We want to help and reach out to people.”

“We have been blessed, so we should give back,” added Dale. “We’ve been immersed in the community, and if I’m in, I’m in all the way.”

Chad and Julie Burrell

Chad and Julie Burrell have deep roots in Hesperia. In fact, Chad’s family has been there for multiple generations. After he and Julie got married, they returned to the area so they could raise the next generation there. “It was always our goal to come back to this area and raise our family where we grew up,” said Julie.

As busy, longtime residents, the Burrells are keenly aware of local assets and needs. “There are so many opportunities here for people to be involved,” said Julie. “It’s important to me to try to make a positive difference.”

The Burrells are active in many facets of community life. In Julie’s position as senior economic development director in Newaygo County, she works closely with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She was also recently elected to the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Another way the Burrells have gotten involved is by joining Our Next 75. “We chose to partner with the Community Foundation because of its reputation,” said Julie. “It’s a trusted organization and it gives us the ability to make a bigger impact. Through the Community Foundation, our gift turns into a lot more.”

Bill and Karen Nottelmann

One day on a drive, Bill and Karen Nottelmann saw a sign for Croton Dam and decided they should check it out. They had never heard of Croton before then, but they have now called it their full-time home for more than a decade. “We love the natural beauty and the low-key neighborhood,” said Bill.

“I love living rural,” added Karen. “We’re so impressed with this area and the quality of people here.”

The Nottelmanns wasted no time getting involved in their new community. Bill has served on the township board and as a reserve police officer in Newaygo. Karen is a founder of Hope 101, which provides housing and other services to those experiencing homelessness. “The staff and volunteers work so hard,” said Bill. “They have had some great success stories.”

Their involvement with Hope 101 also introduced them to the Community Foundation. They are now two of the newest members of Our Next 75.

Why is giving important to you?
Karen: Giving is what Jesus taught us to do and to be, to care for others. We think it’s biblical that you give, but to us it’s more than that too. It’s in your heart.

Why give through the Community Foundation?
Karen: I have been so impressed with the Community Foundation. It’s such a good way to give because someone manages it and does it so well. We trust them and we love what they do.

Family Health Care

Family Health Care is a community health center that takes community seriously.

“Our staff live here, they know the area,” said Dr. Sarah Weers, family medicine physician at the White Cloud clinic. “It’s our community serving our community.”

Family Health Care is the oldest community health center in Michigan and one of the oldest in the United States. In Newaygo County—with locations in White Cloud and Grant—patients can access medical, vision, dental, and behavioral health services along with pharmacy, x-ray, and labs.

“Transportation is a barrier for so many in our area,” said Sarah. “What could be three stops somewhere else can all be done at once here.”

They have also made care more accessible for their youngest and oldest patients. They operate clinics inside several schools across the region and offer services specifically for homebound older adults. “We’re always looking for ways to help,” said Julie Tatko, president and CEO of Family Health Care.

As a nonprofit organization, philanthropy is especially important in Family Health Care’s work. They rely on grants and other funding to enhance services. Past grants from the Community Foundation have helped fund a new x-ray machine, dental spaces, and respite programs. Family Health Care also has endowment funds at the Community Foundation to support their work.

“Philanthropy can make a significant difference,” said Julie. “Everything gets poured back into the community and our mission. It gives us the opportunity to fill in the gaps. We want to make care as easy, accessible, and affordable as possible.”

“We take a lot of pride in taking really good care of our patients,” said Sarah. “I love coming to work every day
and building relationships with my patients.”

Joan and Cathy Obits

The Eagle Fund grew out of an idea Cathy Obits first mentioned on an evening walk with her mother, Joan Obits. Joan moved to the area in 1954, and Cathy has lived here her whole life outside of her military service. They love the people, the open country, and the light traffic, and they both believe strongly in giving back. Creating a fund together was a way to help meet needs and care for their community.

“It’s not that we have much to give,” Joan explained. “We just give little by little, and the fund keeps growing.”

Because their fund was created near both of their birthdays, “It was like our birthday present,” said Joan. “It makes me happy. And if I can make someone else happy, or ease their life a little, I want to. I like happy, for myself and for others.”

“It’s fun to give and to know that you’re helping,” said Cathy. “You may not even know the people who benefit, but you know you’re helping. If we can give someone a leg up or help them have a life that’s a little better than they had before, we want to do that.”

Creating the fund at the Community Foundation was a way “for our gift to go on in perpetuity,” said Cathy, and a way to invest in the future of their community.

“It was a good place to start,” added Joan. “It’s investing in humanity. I’m leaving a little sunshine for someone down the road.”

Grandfriends

Since 2016, Wellspring Adult Day Services has provided a safe place for older adults to socialize while offering respite for their regular caregivers. Housed at Reeman Christian Reformed Church, Wellspring guests enjoy conversation, lunch, and a balance of stimulating activities and rest. Programming combats social isolation and helps guests stay active and healthy.

A new program has given Wellspring an opportunity to make an even greater impact not just on their guests, but on others in the community as well. They partnered with Fremont Christian Schools and the Community Foundation’s Bridging Generations Fund to create Grandfriends.

Through Grandfriends, eighth graders from Fremont Christian School join Wellspring once a month for lunch, stories, and activities. Participants are matched based on similar interests, and the small groups play games, talk, do crafts, and teach each other. Before the monthly activities began, Wellspring staff also visited the school to teach students about the aging process, memory loss, and what to expect on their first visit.

“Our guests’ social circles continue to grow smaller as they age,” said Allie Maat, Wellspring’s program director. “This program gives them the opportunity to expand their circle and make new friends and new memories. It gives our guests something joyful to look forward to, and it is so great to see the compassion the youth have developed for our guests.”

Staff has watched friendships, empathy, and understanding grow across the generations. They write letters, share stories, and have even attended school functions together.

“We have seen the perception of each generation change, having more acceptance and empathy as well as an increase in understanding and respect,” said Allie. “The most rewarding part of the program has been to witness the building of these intergenerational relationships. As they gain a greater understanding of the different generations, we feel this builds a stronger community.”

Gerald and Suzanne VanWieren

As part of Dr. Gerald VanWieren’s commitment to the National Health Service Corps, he had to work in a high-need community after medical school. He and his wife Suzanne, a family nurse practitioner, chose Grant. Used to high doctor turnover, patients often asked how long they planned to stay.

“I was obligated to two years, but we’ve stayed 40,” said Gerald.

“We like small town life,” said Suzanne. “We like having those connections with people, and we’re rural but not very far from the city.”

The VanWierens raised their children here, love local trails and rivers, and are active volunteers. Suzanne served on Grant’s school board for 10 years and Gerald is a trustee of the Bridging Generations Fund at the Community Foundation.

As members of Our Next 75, the VanWierens have also given to the Maynard and Lavina DeKryger Scholarship. Their support honors the DeKrygers, who were mentors to them, and helps local graduates attending medical school.

“We’re not just here to amass material goods,” said Gerald. “We would like to leave the world a better place. We’re grateful for what we’ve received and want to return it.”

Emma Kartes

As a member of the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), Emma Kartes spent her first year quietly observing. “Then I started getting more comfortable speaking up,” she said. “I learned about communication. I learned that when you take on a leadership role, it’s not just being in charge. It’s making sure everyone is supported and knows that I feel confident in them. I use that all the time now.”

Today, as a college student, Emma is using her skills as she majors in public and nonprofit administration. She is also involved with the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance on campus and has an internship with the Council of Michigan Foundations. She has consulted with organizations, written grants, and helped guide giving campaigns. In her internship, Emma provides leadership for statewide youth philanthropy programming.

“I always knew I wanted to do good work for a good reason,” she said. “Being in YAC helped me begin to professionalize my interest in the nonprofit sector.”

Growing up in Newaygo County also served as early inspiration. “Seeing how involved people were in supporting each other, especially youth, made me want to get involved too,” said Emma. “I feel very lucky. All the support I got from the community made me want to give back.”

Newaygo County Compassion Home

Where some saw an eyesore, Newaygo County Compassion Home saw potential. While the hospice home began serving guests in 2018 at a donated house in White Cloud, they also began renovating a larger building in Fremont that had been empty for years. Today, it is a spacious, comfortable home where guests can complete their lives with dignity, surrounded by care.

“The end of life is part of living,” said Diane Rudholm, executive director. “We want to help people transition peacefully and gracefully. We want it to feel like home.”

Thanks to a devoted board and staff—including support dog Darla—the Compassion Home has served over 245 people, including more than 155 since moving to their new location in 2021. All services are free to guests and families, so the organization relies on donations and local support. “It’s a gift from the community to the community,” said Dr. Douglas Johnson, board president.

To provide additional long-term support, the Compassion Home created an endowment fund at the Community Foundation last year. “It will provide sustainability in the future,” said Diane. “It also provides another way for people to give. We are so grateful for the support of the community.”

News & Events

Story Category: Community