The Berrien Community Foundation held its annual meeting on Wednesday, saluting its volunteers and organizations that make a difference. Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey tells us they also announced the winner of the $50,000 Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant. It’s the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor for one of its projects.
“This project is called the Be There program,” Cripps-Downey said. “It really helps kids to cope with loss and trauma and develop those skills that help them cope with trials and adversity in everyday life.”
Also announced was the winner of the Golden Acorn Excellence in Innovation Award. It’s going to the New Heights CCDA Cars Ministry, which helps those in need acquire cars and maintain them. Downey says transportation was a focus of the Berrien Community Foundation this year with staff taking a challenge to make it around the county without a car. She says they learned it’s very difficult. Also honored this week was Dick Bartz of Berrien Springs with the Golden Acorn Volunteer Award.
