April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and at the OCF, one month a year is not enough time to convey the appreciation we have for our volunteers. We could not fulfill our mission to activate generosity for a strong community without the dedicated group of volunteers...
Volunteer Spotlights
A Heartfelt Thanks to Bill Forreider
December 2024 marked the end of Bill Forreider’s tenure of service at the OCF. Bill has served on the OCF Board of Directors for 9 years and is term limited. We want to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for Bill’s remarkable service and commitment to...
Welcome New OCF Board and Committee Members
We are excited to announce the new 2025 Otsego Community Foundation board and committee members. These individuals bring unique perspectives and experiences to their positions and demonstrate their commitment to strengthening Otsego County through their service. ...
December Volunteer Spotlight–Joe Lawless
Extreevaganza season is upon us, so it is fitting that our December Volunteer Spotlight shines on the incomparable Joe Lawless. This year, Joe is Extreevaganza co-chair with Janet Nowicki. He has been a part of Extreevaganza for four years. The OCF’s annual holiday...
YAC Where Are They Now? Emily Szczerowski
School and the OCF Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) are back in session this month! We wanted to catch up with a former YAC member to see what she is doing and how being a part of this impactful organization shaped her life. Thank you, Emily, for sharing with...
Volunteer Spotlight–Wendy Huston
This month we feature Wendy Huston in our Volunteer Spotlight. Wendy is a part of the OCF Investment Committee, which ensures the financial sustainability of our foundation. Wendy was born in Harper Woods, MI, yet her parents relocated to Johannesburg when she was...
2024 OCF YAC Graduating Seniors
Each June, we acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of the OCF YAC graduating seniors. We thank and say goodbye to four YAC members—Avery Huston, Mischa Beyers, Trevor Noah*, and Natalie Mazur. The future looks bright for these outstanding Otsego County...
Volunteer Spotlight–Janice Kwapis
This month, we are featuring Janice Kwapis in our OCF Volunteer Spotlight. In 2023, Janice joined the OCF Finance Committee, which reviews income and expenditures against the operating budget, receives audit reports, and develops the operating plan with projected...
100+ Women Who Care Grantee–Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center
At the 2023 100+ Women Who Care event, the $3,000 grant was awarded to the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center. Since its inception in 2016, $125,000 in grants have been awarded to local nonprofits at the 100+ WWC events. This one-hour, real-time event is...
Volunteer Spotlight–Pamm Quinn
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we are excited to take this opportunity to highlight OCF (Otsego Community Foundation) Scholarship Committee member Pamm Quinn. Scholarship decisions are out this month. Pamm and her fellow committee members have...
Volunteer Spotlight–Toni Straughen
March signals the ramp-up to the OCF’s annual 100+ Women Who Care, a fantastic event where women from our community gather and award impactful grants to local nonprofit organizations within an hour! We are spotlighting Toni Straughen this month, one of the 100+ WWC...
Welcome OCF New Committee Members
Please help us welcome three new OCF committee members this year—Nate Lawes, Karen Borowiak, and Brian Wallace. Nate and Karen will serve on the Scholarship Committee, and Brian will join the Governance Committee. Nate Lawes has lived in Otsego County since he...