Request For Funding Overview

It costs approx $125,000.00 annually to run the 3-6PM After School and all day Summer Programs at Douglas Elementery Schools. Raising more money will allow us to expand to the Middle School and High School which is a strategic goal since the elementary school programs have been so incredibly successful with nearly 200 youth signed up and daily attendence numbers exceeding 100. We humbly request $14,000.00 to help fund this vital work in our community.
-100 youth per day will be served from 3-6PM M-Th (expanding to Fridays soon).
-100 families / adults (often single mothers) will be served. They will have more time to get home from work, obtain groceries, and prepare healthy meals.
-100 local employers will enjoy less stressed out, higher performing employees.
Jim Sullivan-President of Rotary (Rotary raises all funds for the B&GC@SD)
Ed Karasek-Director
Amy Kenny-Director
Lisa Mize-Director
Cathy North-Director
Mark Smaller-Director
Kirsten Stannis-Director
Gordon Stannis-Advisor

$7500
Have not previously requested funding
Clark Carmichael, President
Jack Eisinger, Treasurer
Richard Donovan, Secretary
Dan Keller
Nancy Kimble
Kevin Martin
John Adams, Emeritus
Sunny Hill, Emeritus

$10,000
231 children participated in a fact-finding child friendly forensic interview.
87 children began their healing journey through therapy.
35 children received a thorough body safety medical examination at Safe Harbor.
Officers
• Erin Bonovetz, President – Perrigo, Senior Vice President & GM, OTC, CSCA
• Myrene Koch, Vice President - Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney
• Gerard Durkee, Treasurer – Community Member
• Amy Cornell, Secretary - 48th Circuit Court, Family Division
Directors
• Frank Baker - Sheriff, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department
• Bryanna Cope – Prada Credit Union
• Tara Poore – OnPoint (Allegan Community Mental Health)
• F/LT Scott Ernstes, MSP, Paw Paw Post Commander
• Pat Hodapp – Plainwell Parent Representative
• Jennifer Hoffman – GM/President of Live Betr, LLC
• Janette Maki – D/Sgt Barry County Sheriff’s Department
• Tony Marr – Owner of Blue Star Farms
• Kristy Milbocker – Community Member
• Julie Nakfor-Pratt – Barry County Prosecuting Attorney
• Shellie Park – Child Protective Services Supervisor, Department of Health and Human Services
• Tara Poore – OnPoint (Allegan Community Mental Health)
• Susan Zuiderveen- Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney

$10,000
Wings Home received $4,200 in 2021 ($2,500 in January and $1,700 in November). This provided a total of 8 days of care for 4 individuals, a value of $8,000 to $12,800.
Mallory Smith Rimkus, President
Larry Brown, Vice President
Lisa Kokotan, Secretary/Treasurer
Nannette Ainsworth
Anne Guy
Steve Tibbitts

Music acquisition $2,000
Musician accompanists $8,000
Sound & lighting $3,000
We have not received funding from AWARE in the past.

Our key programs, and member preference based on a January 2024 LCC survey, include:
- 4 signature performances at Saugatuck Center for the Arts - December and May (seating capacity - 410)
- Performance collaborations with area high school students
- Periodic collaborations with area choral groups
- 2 performances at a senior living facility - December and May
- Barn party sing-along - September
- Pop-up performances at our area restaurants and street corners in our villages
- Appearances at local village events such as Douglas Pride, Saugatuck/Douglas Christmas tree lighting, Saugatuck Center for the Arts Holiday Market and farm markets
Shirley Sutton, President
Mary Terzino, Vice President
Holly LIttle, Treasurer
Kristie Noguera, Secretary
Kerry Baker, Board Member
Wendy Gronbeck, Board Member
David Lincoln, Board Member
Kathleen Piggins, Board Member
Wendy Van Tassell, Board Member

$2000.00
The Library last received a West Shore Aware grant in 2021. The money was initially requested for in-person programs to be held in our new facility in its inaugural year. Because of the pandemic shut-down, we revised our plans. Instead, we hosted a community art project that ran through the sprint and summer of 2021. Members of the community submitted selfie portraits which were professionally printed, mounted and displayed in the library building. In addition to the display, we hosted a virtual instructional session and an opening reception. Because the portraits were so prominently displayed throughout the building, every person who entered the Library had a chance to view the artwork. Although it is impossible to get an exact count of unique visitors, we can safely estimate at least 3000 people each month.
Ingrid Boyer, Director
David Blatt, Board President
Janice Krakowski, Vice President
Laurence Blose, Treasurer
Demetrhea Terrien, Secretary
Frank Aiello, Trustee
Sara Nelson, Trustee

$10,000
Upwards of 13,000 guests will benefit from Fellinlove Farm's tours and adaptive field trips.
Cheryl Kaletka - Chairman

•Secretary/Treasurer - Susan Hardman, Holland, MI
•Public Relations - Melanie Lewin, Holland, MI
•Events/Fundraising - Pam Phillips, Holland, MI
•Director - Scott Bryers, Saugatuck, MI
•Director - Jennifer Kragt, Holland, MI
•Director - Lynne Vork, Holland, MI
*Director - Daniel Noguera, Saugatuck, MI
•Director - Christina Purkiss, Holland, MI
•Jr. Director - Hope Haverdink, Hamilton, MI

$3,000
In the past, funding has been 100% applied as scholarship funds to provide services to those who could not afford the already-reduced tuition. The last gift of $1,000 provided 10 children with the opportunity to take part in accredited, professional, therapeutic riding lessons at our facility. If awarded funding this year, this amount will expand to 30 children and adults.
Rob Housman, President ~ Harbor Churches, Byron Center, MI
Mike Larsen, Secretary ~Raven Strategic Group, resides in Zeeland, MI
Mark Donkersloot, Treasurer ~ Koops Engineering, resides in Zeeland, MI
Kathy Elhart, Director at Large ~ Elhart Motors, resides in Holland, MI
Lisa Schaap, Director at Large ~Retired, resides in Holland, MI
John Brogan, Director at Large ~ Western Theological Seminary, resides in Holland, MI
Paul Kuiper, Director at Large ~ Retired, resides in Zeeland, MI
Glenn Lowe, Director at Large ~ Retired, resides in Holland, MI
Karen Egedy-Bader ~ Self-employed, resides in Grand Haven, MI
Mark Stewart, Director at Large ~ Radley LLC, resides in Holland, MI
Mike Berarducci, Director at Large ~ JR Automation, resides in Hamilton, MI

We are requesting $8,600.
2. We have received Aware funding in previous years.
• 2007 - $2,000 used to spay and neuter 11 cats and 10 dogs
• 2008 - $2,000 used to spay and neuter 18 cats and 12 dogs

In other years, we did not receive any grant monies, however West Shore has generously provided us with monies which has gone towards our general operating costs. For example, we did not receive a grant in 2023 but West Shore Aware did donate $3,000 which was used for general operating costs.

If we receive funding this year, we would be able to impact approximately 200 cats and the people who adopt them.
Co-President - Kathy Korse
Co-President - Grace Gilmore
Vice-President - Grace Gilmore
Treasurer - Donna Zeppiero
Secretary - Gwen Hinz
Director - Ellen Liehr
Director - Kathy Novak
Director - Cindy Moreen
Director - John Nappo
Director - Suzy Swanson
Director - Meghan Kiker
Director - Bradley Borowiec
Director - Jodi Clock

$10,000
Community Pride, MI hosted two events in 2023, and similarly, is preparing to host the same two events for 2024. The first being our PRIDE weekend festivities; the second being Oktoberfest. Attendance at both events in 2023 exceeded expectations: PRIDE events attendance reached ~ 3,000 across multiple days; Oktoberfest weekend attendance reached ~1,100. Our stretch goal is to increase attendance in 2024 by 50%.
Liz Engel, President
Greg Harvath, Treasurer
Troy Weiland, Secretary
Jeff Hanlin, Officer/Board Member
Randy Walker, Officer/Board Member
Michael Wright, Officer/Board Member

Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is requesting $10,000 to support our emergency intervention services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Resilience did not receive an award in the fiscal year 2023, but we would like to share these statistics from that period. In FY2023, Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence responded to 3,463 calls for assistance on our 24 hour helpline; we provided face-to-face crisis intervention, advocacy and emotional support to 464 emergency walk-in clients; safe shelter as well as meals, advocacy and emotional support were provided to 56 adults and their 87 children; our team of specially trained, on-call nurses provided 66 confidential and discreet forensic exams where evidence was carefully collected and stored. Nurses worked closely with local law enforcement and testified in court for sexual assault cases when needed.
Ortencia Bos, President
Shannon Garrett, Vice President
Tina Fierro, Treasurer
Lisa Miller, Secretary
Laurie Birkholz, MD
Jasmine Irish
Joe LaFramboise
Jeff Lukas
Sandra Trammell
Lana Zarlenga, MD
Erin Zylman
Megan Hennessey, Executive Director

$10,000
The Grand Rapids Trans Foundation (GRTF) will extend guidance, advocacy, and financial assistance to 300 Transgender residents seeking legal name change and document updates in Kent County, Michigan.
Liam Bailey, President, They/Them (University of Michigan)
Esperanza Asterión, Secretary, They/Them + She/Her (Advantage Solutions)
Finn Asterión, Treasurer, They/Them + He/Him (River City Psychological Services)
Alexander Yaluk, Member, He/Him (Community Member)
Nicholette Driggs, Member, She/Her (Disability Advocates of Kent County)
Brinkley Ward, Member, She/Her (Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
Laurel Walker, Member, She/Her (Community Member)
DeAn Hollowell, Member, They/Them (Grand Valley State University)
Patti Thelen, Member, She/Her (Steelcase retiree)

$10,000
The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center received $3,500 in funding from West Shore Aware in September of 2023. We were able to use those funds to support programs and activities that reached over 1,500 attendees since that time. Additional funding for 2024 will allow us to increase the quality and reach of history programming celebrating the Lakeshore lifestyle.
Bill Hess
Frank Aiello
Annie Hayes
Stephen Hutchins - President
John Kerr - Vice President
Michael Mok - Secretary
Mark Neidlinger
Angela Page - Treasurer
Toni Perrine
Gemina Petruzzelli
Vern Slusar

$500
N/a
DDA Board: Tom Pantelleria, Claude Rummer, Gary Krier, Dawn Soltysiak, Nathan Green, Jody Martin, Jontae Yost, Andrew Schrock, Mark Schrock
Women's Club: Sharona Shapiro, Dawn Soltysiak

$10,000
Out On The Lakeshore (OOTL) received Aware funding in 2016/2017. This funding was used as start up money for the OOTL LGBTQ+ Community Center. With this funding OOTL opened a center in Holland serving the wider lakeshore community that services hundreds of people through year round programming and thousands of individuals through major events. In 2023 alone OOTL served approximately 6,000 individuals at the PRIDE Festival in Holland and 300 individuals through year-round support groups, recreational programs, and case management services.
CY 2024 OOTL Board of Directors

Name, Board Title, Affiliation

Penny Jansen, Board Chair, SpartanNash
Phil Quinn, Vice Chair, Alliance Counseling Group
Robin Haugen, Treasurer, Retired Toyota
Derek Hoehn, Secretary, MillerKnoll
Joni Gibson, Director, Radiant Skin and Body
Natalie Williams, Director, Herrick District Library
Jevon Willis, Director, Hope College
Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout Esq., Director, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates
Leah Cooper, Director, Bethany Christian Services
Larry Jackson, Director, ITC Inc.

$10,000
Last year, Kids’ Food Basket nourished approximately 1,100 children each weekday in Ottawa and Allegan counties.

This year, Kids’ Food Basket anticipates maintaining this, continuing to nourish approximately 1,100 children daily.
Board of Directors:
- Mary Command, Williams Group: President/Treasurer
- Jessie Jones, Corewell Health: Vice President
- Mario Cascante, Luna Restaurant Group: Secretary
- Mary K. Hoodhood: Founder
- Menaka Abel, Request Foods
- Charen Buyce, Stitch Fix
- Matthew Cortez, Superintendent Muskegon Public Schools
- Graciela Cruz, Amway
- Timothy Dudley, Rhoades McKee
- Max Gibbs, Retired Teacher and Community Champion
- Dr. Ronald Grifka, Metro Health, UM
- Bob Kaser, Grand Rapids Griffins
- Phalesha Kyes, By Phalesha Events
- Keith Rothstein, Meijer
- Phil Sims, Integrity Tree Services
Ottawa/Allegan Advisory Board:
- Melanie Downing: Advisory Board Chair
- Barret Bloenk: Advisory Board Vice-Chair
- Penny Bursma
- Tracy Umbenhour
- Carolyn Stich
- Jessica Rodriguez-Garza
- Nora Balgoyen
- Scott Potter
- Andrew Herlein
- Boyd Feltman
- Rosemary Ervine

$5000
The South Haven Center for the Arts is very grateful to have received funding from West Shore Aware in previous years: $1,000 in 2019, $2,500.00 in 2020, $1,700.00 in 2021, and $500 in 2022. Each year this funding was used to provide free art programming to members of our community
President Jennifer Sistrunk
Vice President Eugenie Crotte
Secretary Diane Wildberding
Treasurer Barry Winkel

Kendra Kingsbury
Lisa Krzeczowski
Michael Fiedorowicz
Shanna Shearer
Megan Litts
Crystal Elissetche Mitchell

10,000
We are incredibly grateful for the funding support we received, which has already made a transformational impact on our community.

This funding allowed us to enhance the safety, accessibility, and inclusivity of our community center, creating a more welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Over 100 people have directly benefited from these improvements.
Larry Jackson
Derek Hoehn
Heather Martin
Sarah Yore VanOosterhout
Phil Quinn
Jess Trust
Bill Euzinga
Joni Gibson
Leah Cooper
Natalie Williams

$2,500
Grant funds will be used in supporting the 187 families we service on a monthly basics. During 2024 the Food Pantry serviced 2249 families, of that 2248 children ages 1- 17, 3588 Adults, 1208 seniors that includes 152 Veterans for a total of 7044 persons.
President – Caroln Murray
Vice-President – Joyce Evans
Treasurer/Secretary – Harry Adams
Executive Director – Mike Wohlwend
Board Member – Larry Boonstra

$10,000
In 2024, Safe Harbor provided the following services for children in Allegan County:
5,547 children participated in body and online safety presentations
205 children participated in a fact-finding child friendly forensic interview.
56 children began their healing journey through therapy
13 children received a thorough body safety medical examination at Safe Harbor
19 Children had a Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer advocate for their best interest in the family court abuse and neglect system.
Officers
• Erin Bonovetz, Board Chair– Perrigo, Senior Vice President & GM, OTC, CSCA
• Bryanna Cope, Vice-Chair – Honor Credit Union Community Engagement Manager
• Gerard Durkee, Treasurer – Community Member
• Amy Cornell, Secretary - 48th Circuit Court, Family Division
Directors
• Frank Baker - Sheriff, Allegan County Sheriff’s Department
• F/LT Scott Ernstes, MSP, Paw Paw Post Commander
• Pamela Hartman, Allegan U-store
• Jennifer Hoffman – Padagis
• Janette Maki – D/Sgt Barry County Sheriff’s Department
• Kristy Milbocker – Community Member
• Julie Nakfor-Pratt – Barry County Prosecuting Attorney
• Shellie Park – Child Protective Services Supervisor, Department of Health and Human Services
• Tara Poore – OnPoint (Allegan Community Mental Health)
• Susan Zuiderveen- Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney

We are open to any funding amount.
Depending on the amount received, we can help up to 10 families per quarter with their needs. We attempt to offset $250 to $1000 dollars of expense for the families that apply for assistance.
President Michelle Brown
Secretary Anthony Jacob Brown
Treasurer Tony Brown

We are requesting a grant of $2000 from West Shore Aware to partially fund our music educational programs for 2025. We will offer Young Listener Concerts during the summer and in local grade schools reaching underserved students and others. Coaching sessions will be held for advanced high school wind and string students, and a string quartet will perform Bizet's "Ferdinand the Bull" in local grade schools. A student art contest at Saugatuck High School to create a poster for our 2025 publicity has already been held. We will again have our Internship Program for two college students who will assist with running our programs, interact with our artists, and learn the behind-the-scenes activities of a chamber music program.
CMFS received an AWARE grant of $2000 in 2012 to complete funding of the Joan Conway Young Artists Program endowment. Since then CMFS has received AWARE grants of $1700 in 2022, $2000 in 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2023, and $1000 in 2018 and 2019 to partially fund our educational programs. Number of services and use of funds are described below.
President: Joe O'Hara
Vice President and Fund Raising Director: Doug Walvoord
Secretary and Communications Director: Jan Tripp
Treasurer: Tim Chalus
Artistic Director: Kimia Ghaderi
Printing and Mailing Director: Jane Dreyer
Ticket Sales Co-Directors: Bill Klatt and Jim McHugh
Facilities Director: Lynne Snyder
Member at Large: David Hoekema
Operation Manager and Education Coordinator (non-board): Vivian Boot
Advisory Council (Retired Board Members): Joan Conway, Joy Muehlenbeck, Ruth Hofmeyer, Jim Motiff, and Mike Tischleder

Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is requesting $10,000 to support our emergency intervention services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Resilience did not receive an award in the fiscal year 2023 or 2024, but we would like to share these statistics. In FY2024, Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence responded to 2,278 calls for assistance on our 24 hour helpline; we provided face-to-face crisis intervention, advocacy and emotional support to 335 emergency walk-in clients; safe shelter as well as meals, advocacy and emotional support were provided to 46 adults and their 51 children; our team of specially trained, on-call nurses provided 62 confidential and discreet forensic exams where evidence was carefully collected and stored. Nurses worked closely with local law enforcement and testified in court for sexual assault cases when needed.

We anticipate responding to more than 2,500 requests for assistance through these programs in the upcoming year.
Ortencia Bos, President
Shannon Garrett, Vice President
Tina Fierro, Treasurer
Lana Zarlenga, MD, Secretary
Blake Andrea
Laurie Birkholz, MD
Kevin Carmody
Katie Gibson
Aida Tenaka
Jason Valenzuela
Megan Hennessey, Executive Director

$5000
In 2022, Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance received $4,500 from Westshore Aware for the purchase of software and computers to help the organization with the execution of day to day operations.
Scot Reynolds, Board President
George Stoutin, Vice President
Elaine Bosch, Treasurer
Gary Workman, Secretary
Debra Battjes-Siler, Board Member
Lise Cameron, Board Member
Karen Pieper, Board Member
Mike Usher, Board Member
Greg Dziewit, Development Advisor

Interurban is requesting any amount up to $10,000
Our rider fare is $.50 - $1:00 per ride any dollar amount will provide rides for our underserved community.
Chuck Gustafson / Tarue Pullen Chairperson / Kathy Johnson Vice Chairperson / Gregory Muncey Treasurer / Lori Babinski Secretary / Judith Schneider