Steve & Debbie Olsen Receive Foundation Award

<September 26, 2018> For 19 years, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County has honored the work of its founding president and CEO by presenting the annual Patricia B. Johnson Community Leadership Award to recognize a dynamic individual, couple, or organization with visionary leadership and a strong spirit of innovation.

This year, at the Foundation’s 2018 Annual Ambassador Reception, Steve and Debbie Olsen received the prestigious award.

Steve and Debbie Olsen are a couple whose tremendous generosity is matched by their dedication of time and caring.  Over many years, and for countless projects, they have shown up—to give, to work, to pay attention, and to encourage. What marks them as outstanding is the deep attention and commitment they show to the nonprofits or projects they adopt.

“They have been campaign chairs, table captains, board members, tutors, advisors, influencers and peer-pressurers,” said Charles E. “Trip” Johnson III presenting the award. “And our community is so much better because of them.”

Debbie’s passion is helping kids, including 14 years  as a volunteer adult advisor to the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory  Council.  Steve’s passion is workforce development, education and community  development. He is a major supporter of the Muskegon Area Promise and a  leader for the business-education collaboration called “Muskegon Made.”

Their gifts, their attention and their energy have benefited the United Way, Muskegon-Oceana Red Cross, the Community Foundation, Mercy Health, the YMCA, Camp Pendalouan, Read Early Read Often, the Muskegon Area Promise, the Muskegon Farmers Market and Kitchen 242, and more!

As part of the award, the Olsens will receive a $5,000 grant which they may give to the organization of their choice in the community.

Past recipients of the Patricia B. Johnson Award include Janene Morrisey and Frank Bednarek, Larry Hines, Dr. Robert Garrison, Ted Operhall, Roger Andersen, Joseph Schulze, Nancy Crandall, Gary Ostrom, Amy Heisser and the Alcoa Foundation, Tanglewood Park, Mike and Kay Olthoff, Roger Spoelman, Linda Juarez, Judy Hayner, Kathy Evans, John McGarry, Dr. Alan Steinman, and Anne and Allan Dake.