Community Stories

United Way and Community Foundation Create Response Fund

United Way of the Lakeshore and Community Foundation for Muskegon County are working collaboratively to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on local families and members of the community. A COVID-19 Response Fund has been created at the United Way. Click below for more information.

Being a Poppen scholar was ‘like having a guardian angel’

When Elijah Curry began as a Poppen Programs scholar, the then-middle school student knew he loved the arts—but he had no idea that, in just a matter of years, he would be living out his dreams as a singer, dancer and actor in New York City.

Mildred Johnson’s Community Legacy

Mildred has left an indelible impact on so many in this community, directly and indirectly, through the organizations that she has served, and friendships she has made, always thinking of others. Thank you for loving Muskegon!

Moving toward healing: Speaking truths about slavery and fighting racism in Muskegon.

Read this indepth article about Dr. Joy DeGruy's recent visit to Muskegon by Anna Gustafson from the Muskegon Times,

Making a Difference with an IRA

Joan Majeski loves Muskegon and adds to her own fund with her yearly IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). She's now honoring her mother's legacy using her RMD to create the Mildred Majewski Environment Fund.

A Pleasant Surprise

In 1998, the Community Foundation was surprised to learn that it had been left $1.8 million as the result of a trust established by Alta Daetz, a second-grade teacher in Muskegon Public Schools for many years.

Quiet Life. Community Heart.

Carl Orton lived a quiet, honorable life. Material things didn’t matter to him: he never owned property, had few possessions, no phone or TV.

Celebrating a birthday with love!

Ken Kolberg’s friends and family celebrated his 100th birthday with a party, and a purpose: supporting education! Instead of the usual wrapped presents, gifts were directed to the Ken & Clara Kolberg Family Scholarship Fund!

Saying thank you.

Joey Hekkema loved being a drummer in the Mona Shores Marching Band. When he passed away six years ago, his family and friends created the Joey Hekkema Memorial Fund to help other Mona Shores band students.

“All My Relations” by Jason Quingo

The 16-foot monumental black granite sculpture, entitled "All My Relations," by Michigan Anishinaabe artist, Jason Quigno, honors a shared humanity.