Retiring trustees Mitch Blonde, Greg Brynaert and Ken Hummel.
In January, Four County Community Foundation (4CCF) recognized the service of three retiring trustees and welcomed a new member to their board.
Mitch Blonde, Greg Brynaert and Ken Hummel each completed their nine-year terms. Joining the board is Romeo’s Danielle Lee.
Mitch Blonde first became acquainted with 4CCF as a donor. After a close friend passed away, Mitch and some of his friends established a scholarship fund in his memory with 4CCF. Since then, Mitch and his wife have also created a scholarship fund in his family’s name to benefit fellow graduates of Imlay City High School.
When asked to serve on the board, Mitch saw it as an opportunity to give back to his hometown, having previously moved out of state for his job with Tiffin University in Ohio.
“I was also looking for something a little different than serving on a service organization or local board. At the time I agreed to join, I still had family living in the area so it was also a good reason to see them and other friends nearby,” Mitch said.
As for the accomplishments Mitch has witnessed as a board member, he finds meaning in the work Executive Director Kathy Dickens has done to expand 4CCF’s reach.
“I’ve been very impressed with Kathy’s ability to grow assets – in particular by working with existing foundations to grow our service area and also helping to manage the assets of other non-profits in the service area,” he said. Dickens has been at the helm of 4CCF since 2019.
He’s departing the board with confidence that that growth will continue.
“I hope 4CCF’s brightest days are always in the future. That it continues to be blessed with caring and competent staff, a board with a growth mindset and donors who increase assets to a level that we could only dream of,” Mitch said.
Greg Brynaert, of Romeo, leaves the board with an appreciation for learning a great deal about local philanthropy. Whether it was managing finances, exploring community needs or just hearing the perspectives of his fellow board members, Greg said he felt challenged, in a good way, to broaden his horizons.
Prior to joining the board, Greg was acquainted with 4CCF as a Romeo High School staff member who reviewed scholarships.
He likes to summarize the foundation’s work in one word—hope.
“Hope is what we give to people who want to serve and people who are in need. Hope for a better future,” he said.
Greg says he looks forward to seeing 4CCF continue with their current endeavors like growing their endowment, collaborating with other community groups and spreading awareness of what 4CCF does.
He too credits much of the foundation’s recent success with Dickens’ leadership.
“She does such a tremendous job with her skills and talents. Kathy’s grant writing skill is something we didn’t think about when we were looking for a new executive director but it’s been tremendous asset to our communities,” he said.
Almont’s Ken Hummel is grateful to emeritus board member Dr. Jim Sillers for connecting him with Four County Community Foundation. Ken told Jim, a fellow Rotary Club member, that he was looking for new ways to volunteer in the community.
“He introduced me to Janet and the rest is history,” Ken said, referring to former 4CCF Executive Director Janet Bauer.
“I knew the foundation was there and heard of it, but I never would have considered it or understood what the foundation did if it wasn’t for Jim.”
For the past two years, Ken has served as the board’s chairperson.
In his time with 4CCF, Ken said he’s witnessed the generosity of others and seen how the foundation can serve as a means for them to give back.
“For the most part, people want to do good things in their community, but they struggle with how to make a difference. I think you have a lot of people in the community with the financial means to give and are happy to do something with it but they don’t know where to start. They need a catalyst, and the foundation can be just that.”
He sees much of the same concept encapsulated in 4CCF’s new Spark Grant initiative. Spark Grant applicants with innovative ideas for unmet community need get the chance to pitch their funding proposal in-person to a panel of judges. Since being launched in 2023, the Spark Grant has helped fund Spanish-language food safety classes, panic attack bags for schools and training, supplies for K-9 police dogs and more.
“It’s a grassroots project. We’re able to help folks that have really good intentions and don’t know where to start. It’s a cool initiative and I hope we continue fostering it,” he said
In his nine years on the board, Ken said his eyes have been opened to needs within the community whether that’s through reading grant applications, attending conferences or chatting with local officials. He notes that in many ways, the Four County service area is not all that different from some of our bigger neighboring communities when it comes to things like food security, early childhood education assistance and access to mental health services.
Looking to the future, Ken envisions the board celebrating their community roots while strategizing for growth.
“I think the board must continue to think bigger. I hope we never say we have ‘enough.’ I hope we can continue to build the dollars and think outside of the box.
In January, the 4CCF board also took action to appoint officers for 2025. Tricia Dennis is the board’s new chairperson and Sharon Muir will serve as vice chairperson. Connie Brzozowski and Johanna Nuculovic continue in their roles as secretary and treasurer, respectively.