Wixom Community Foundation

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WCF contributes to the installation of a Buddy Bench at Loon Lake Elementary

The Wixom Community Foundation along with the Wixom Mom’s Group contributed to the installation of a Buddy Bench at Loon Lake Elementary School in Wixom and it was unveiled last week. A Buddy Bench is a special place in a school playground where a child can go when they want someone to play with. “Spotters” on the playground will spot the child on the buddy bench and ask them to come play with them. You can learn more about the Buddy Bench system at http://buddybench.org/.

During the assembly, the children at Loon Lake were reminded that kindness is free, it just takes effort. WCF Executive Director Rene Saenz and WCF Chairman Josh Springer were on hand for the unveiling.

Community Volunteers Install New Playground at Gilbert Willis Park

Volunteers from the community, including the Wixom Community Foundation, installed a new playground at Gilbert Willis Park in Wixom September 11-14.

The playground equipment was purchased largely in part with funds from a student-led fundraiser at Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC.)

The marketing class at OSTC, led by Bill Dungan, have been fundraising since 2005 for a new playground structure in the City of Wixom.

Thank you to the Wixom Parks and Recreation and everyone in the community that helped make this happen!

2019 Scholarships to be Presented During Rockin’ Under the Stars

The winners of the 2019 Wixom Community Foundation (WCF) scholarships will receive their awards during the Rockin’ Under the Stars event on Saturday, August 3rd at Multi Lakes Conservation Association – 3860 Newton Road, Commerce. Visit www.lakesareachamber.com for more details on the event. 

The recipients are:

Total Sports Leadership Scholarships (2, $500 each): Eric Siegrist and Aiden Smith

Applicants are asked to provide real life examples of how a “Team” was used to teach life skills and how being a team has impacted their personal lives. Two winners are chosen for this award.

Wilfred Scholarships (2, $2500 each): Matthew Foster and Emily Hudson

Applicants should be entering in the trades or science, technology, engineering, mathematics or environment based areas of study and must include career goals as part of their application.

Rzeznik Family Continuing Education Scholarship ($1000): Matthew Foster

Applicants are asked to reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted them to act and if they would make the same decision again.

Louanne Saenz Education Scholarship ($500): Aiden Smith

Applicants were asked to outline their academic/career goals and how this scholarship would help to achieve those goals. Historically, the winner of the scholarship is entering the education field such as teachers, educators, principals and other educational leaders.

The WCF is proud of these bright young students. Congratulations to the winners of 2019 Wixom Community Foundation scholarships! 

The Wixom Community Foundation would like to thank the scholarship donors – thank you!

Wixom Community Foundation awarded the 2019 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization

June 25th, 2019

The Wixom Community Foundation was awarded the 2019 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization by the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 25th at the chamber’s annual awards breakfast at Edgewood Country Club.

The event gives special recognition to citizens, students, businesses, and organizations in the lakes area community for their involvement and commitment.

Past recipients of this award have been the Scarlet’s Smile Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Open Door Outreach Center, to name a few.

The award was presented to WCF’s Executive Director, René Saenz, by LACC Board member, Cara Gardener.

“I believe that people that both care, and then take action, really make a change in our community,” said Ms. Gardener who also stated, “On behalf of the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, truly, thank you for that you do and congratulations”.

René Saenz, accompanied by WCF board members Sherry Diederich and Robert Smiley, said “A lot of our scholarship money goes out to college and universities, but it also goes to the trades. Last year we gave out some money to students going to trades schools. There is a big demand for trades.”

The mission of the WCF is to enhance the quality of life in the community with leadership and stewardship of endowment funds and donations.

The WCF connects corporations and individuals fostering long lasting relationships that are able to respond to the needs of the community and enhance the communities health and vibrancy.

The WCF has awarded $20K in scholarships to 17 different high school seniors from Wixom, Walled Lake, Novi, and West Bloomfield with a broad range of academic majors ranging from computer science, neuroscience, and pre-med to journalism and welding.

The 2019 WCF scholarships will be presented at the annual Lakes Area Chambers’ Rockin’ Under the Stars event at Multi Lakes Conservation Association on August 3rd.

Scholarships Deadline Extended

Scholarships Deadline has been extended to May 15th!
The Wixom Community Foundation currently has 6 scholarships totaling $8,000 for 2019. Scholarships range from $500 to $2500 with differing acceptance criteria for graduating seniors. The scholarship details can be found on our Current Scholarships page. Please share this information with graduating seniors!

Madness Gives to WCF

Teriyaki Madness is donating $1 for each bowl of food sold at their grand opening on Friday, April 26th to the Wixom Community Foundation. Please support this event!

2019 Scholarships

The Wixom Community Foundation currently has several trade schools, college, and university scholarships for 2019 ranging from $500 to $2500 with differing acceptance criteria for graduating seniors. Click here for scholarship details.

2018 WCF Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the winners of 2018 Wixom Community Foundation scholarships!

The WCF will be presenting the students with their scholarships on Thursday, July 19th at Sibley Square in downtown Wixom during Wixom’s Hot Blues & BBQ event.

Scholarship Presentation
Date: Thursday, July 19th
Time: During band change, roughly 7pm
Location: Sibley Square Pavilion, Downtown Wixom

Total Sports Leadership Scholarship ($500 Male / $500 Female):
Thomas Baert — attending Otterbein University studying Business
Jennifer Hood — attending Michigan State University studying Kinesiology (Physical Therapy)

Rzeznik Family Continuing Education Scholarship ($1000)
Jennifer Hood — attending Michigan State University studying Kinesiology (Physical Therapy)

Wilfred Scholarship ($2500) — only one awarded this year
John Joseph Smiley — attending Schoolcraft College pursuing a Welding Certificate

Louanne Saenz Education Scholarship (3 @ $500 each)
Victoria Andreev — attending The Ohio State University studying Economics
Sophia Rose Lada —  attending Michigan State University studying Journalism with a minor in Political Science
Michael Walther — attending Michigan Technological University studying Environmental Engineering

 

WCF Scholarships Presented During Wixom’s Hot Blues & BBQ

The winners of the 2017 Wixom Community Foundation (WCF) scholarships received their awards during Wixom’s Hot Blues & BBQ on Thursday, July 20th.

WCF Scholarship Chairman and Wixom resident, Josh Springer introduced the students and their presenters.


Total Sports Leadership Scholarships (2)

Total Sports Project Manager Mike Moscone presented to Lauren Shay Ahern of Farmington Hills and John Tracy of Commerce.

Applicants are asked to provide real life examples of how a “Team” was used to teach life skills and how being a team has impacted their personal lives. Two winners are chosen for this award, one male and one female.


Wilfred Scholarships (2)

WCF Chairman, Wixom resident and Wixom City Councilman, Nick Kennedy presented to Mark Foster of Wixom.

Wixom resident and Wixom City Councilman and WCF Board member, Robert Smiley presented to Utsav Lathia of Wixom.

Applicants should be entering in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics or environment based areas of study and must include career goals as part of their application.


Rzeznik Family Continuing Education Scholarship

Wixom resident and Wixom City Councilman, Tom Rzeznik presented to Mark Foster of Wixom.

Applicants are asked to reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted them to act and if they would make the same decision again.


Louanne Saenz Education Scholarship

WCF Executive Director Rene Saenz presented to Shayna Roble of Novi.

Applicants were asked to outline their academic/career goals and how this scholarship would help to achieve those goals. Historically, the winner of the scholarship is entering the education field such as teachers, educators, principals and other educational leaders.


The WCF is looking to add new scholarship sponsors within the community, as well as members who want to make a positive impact on the community by building relationships with both businesses and residents.

2017-2018 scholarships which will be available in September

The Wixom Community Foundation would like to thank the scholarship donors – thank you!

The WCF is proud of these great young people and looks forward to following their college careers. We will be checking in on them from time-to-time and letting you know how they are doing, so check back with us!

Congratulations to the winners of 2017 Wixom Community Foundation scholarships!

 

Watch the entire presentation (about 6 minutes long) by clicking here.

Related articles:

For more information on the winners, click here.

For more information on the WCF scholarships, click here.

2017 WCF Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the winners of 2017 Wixom Community Foundation scholarships! The WCF will be presenting the students with their scholarships on Thursday, July 20th at Wixom’s Hot Blues & BBQ (6-10pm).

Date: Thursday, July 20th
Presentation Time: ~7:30-8:00PM
Location: Sibley Square Park in downtown Wixom (main stage)

See complete list of recipients

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