Local organizations in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties receiving financial help HEMLOCK, Mich. — For decades, students in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter at Chesaning Union High School had to walk a lengthy distance to work with animals in a 40-year
old barn and 30-year-old greenhouse that were both small and outdated.
Efforts to build an new 40-foot-by-80-foot pole barn for animal science projects and a hardsided, energy-efficient greenhouse for students to use are being aided by a CARE Grant from Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) that will help both projects grow nearer to
completion.
The money will help the school district, FFA alumni and community in Saginaw County outfit the barn, and turn focus to replacing the outdated greenhouse, allowing both to be handicap accessible and to offer hands-on learning opportunities not available in the older buildings. In addition, elementary and middle school students will be able to learn about agriculture though field trips to the new barn and greenhouse, which also may be available for community outreach.
“This complete overhaul of our agriscience program and facilities will provide much broader learning opportunities for students throughout the Chesaning Union School District,” said district Superintendent Michael McGough. “HSC’s support provides a large boost toward completing the new barn and to start work on the greenhouse later this year.”
The school district was among 10 recipients of the second group of CARE Fund grants awarded by Hemlock-based HSC. The company began accepting applications for this latest round of grants from the Community and Regional Empowerment (CARE) Fund for Saginaw, Midland and Bay counties in October 2019. It recently awarded $99,000 to the second group of recipients, including schools, units of government and local groups that hold a 501(c)(3) designation.
In choosing the CARE Fund winners, HSC staff looked for projects that align with the CARE Fund mission to improve the vitality and quality of life in Great Lakes Bay Region communities where HSC employees and their families work and play. A new round of grant applications will be accepted until September 30. Local programs can receive up to $10,000, while regional programs are eligible for up to $30,000. More information is available at the foundation websites listed below.
To address local residents’ and communities’ needs as they deal with the pandemic, HSC has contributed $60,000 to the three community foundations for their COVID-19 Response/Relief Funds.
“Even as we deal with the effects of stay-at-home orders and the COVID-19 pandemic, we know our school districts and local governments and organizations will be there to bring new opportunities to our communities once activities resume,” said Brooke Beebe, HSC Vice
President of External Affairs. “The CARE Fund is one way we can contribute to better experiences for residents throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
Another CARE grant went to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City to help it build a seawall to stop the flooding in the museum’s parking lot that has caused the frequent closing of the museum in recent years. As the only surface warship museum in the Midwest, the museum allows people to tour a decommissioned and possibly haunted naval destroyer.
The Rural Community Health Worker Network in Beaverton won a CARE grant to help it expand its services to all of Midland County. Through its Community Outreach Resource Extension (C.O.R.E.) Project, the network helps families who have faced a crisis get connected
with community groups that can help them weather the crisis and get back on more solid financial footing.
Other organizations that received funding include:
- Midland Community Former Offenders Advocacy and Rehabilitation (MCFOAR) for its Housing Assistance Program
- City of Auburn Baseball Field Safety Updates
- River Jordan School of Transition for technology acquisition.
- Disability Services Resource Center for medical equipment and office renovation.
- New Beginnings Enrichment Center for One Week, One Street
- SEEDS Conservation Corps (EcoCorps) for the Saginaw Youth Conservation Corps
- National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc. for Camp Invention STEM Programs in the Great Lakes
Anyone interested in learning more about the CARE grant program and how to apply can review it on the foundations’ websites at:
About Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a joint venture between DuPont, Corning Inc. and
Shin-Etsu Handotai. HSC is a leading provider of ultra-pure polycrystalline silicon and other
silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, solar cells and
modules. HSC began operations in 1961. To find out more, go to http://www.hscpoly.com.
For more information:
Kristen Opperman
Communications Liaison
(989) 301-6063
kristen.opperman@hscpoly.com