The Community Foundation of Marquette County hosted its annual celebration for this year’s grant recipients Tuesday.
More than $85,000 was handed out to recipients.
“The Community Foundation is a public charity that was established over 30 years ago for the community by the community,” said Zosia Eppensteiner, CEO. “It is really an investment vehicle into the great projects and agencies that work across our entire county.”
Alongside the board of trustees, the Foundation works with the community to select new non-profits each year to receive grants.
51 different Marquette non-profits were hand picked to receive funding including a foundation that works with first responders.
Kristie Buruse and Susan Andary of the Central U.P. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team received a grant to grow their team and resources for EMTs and other first responders in the Upper Peninsula.
“What we do know is that the suicide rates amongst first responders are higher than they ever have been, especially in the state of Michigan,” said Andary. “The science has shown that traumatized first responders need help. We’ve got the training and the tools to teach these first responders what things they can expect and how to deal with those things.”
This year, funds are going towards youth and education programs, child care, animal welfare and human and environmental services to continue growing and benefiting the Marquette community.