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2007 CommUNITY Event
The Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation’s fourth annual Celebration of CommUNITY was held at the Fargo Holiday Inn on Monday, April 30th. The Foundation, which is North Dakota’s oldest and largest community foundation, hosts this annual celebration to highlight the community’s philanthropic accomplishments over the past year and to outline the Foundation’s strategic vision for the future.
This year’s event featured the theme: “Are You Inspired?” and the evening focused on inspirational highlights of many of the Foundation’s component funds. The Foundation was established in 1960 and now consists of nearly 200 component funds, with over $46 million under management. The stories provided by the individuals and families who have established funds with the Foundation over the past 47 years were both entertaining and inspirational. These individuals have made a tremendous difference in the communities of Fargo and Moorhead as well as Cass and Clay County. A special thanks to Carlton Hunke for his inspirational words and The South High Jazz Combo for their inspirational music.
The culmination of the evening was the announcement of the recipients of both the prestigious Arthur W. Cupler Award and the ECHO (Everyone Can Help Out) Award.
The Arthur W. Cupler Award was presented to Vicki Chepulis, the executive director of the Trollwood Performing Arts School, for her lifetime commitment to making a critical difference in our community. Arthur W. Cupler was one of the forward thinking founders of the FM Area Foundation whose vision and principals left a lasting legacy. Chepulis has been the executive director of Trollwood ever since it was formed nearly 30 years ago. Under her leadership the organization has grown from a small summer program for Fargo Public School students into a regional performing arts center recognized nationally for its excellence in the performing arts and educational learning. Prior winners of this award are: Gov. George Sinner (2005) and Sen. Tim Mathern (2006).
The Echo Award was bestowed upon Greg Tehven, a 2003 West Fargo High School graduate and co-founder of Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF), in order to celebrate his efforts as an unsung hero who has improved the quality of life of all those living in Cass and Clay counties and is deeply invested in building social capital. Along with three fellow University of Minnesota freshman, Tehven helped create the STLF organization which promotes the “Pay It Forward Tour.” This tour is a spring break service experience originally designed for college students and has been expanded to high schools. In 2007 over 550 students took part and served over 75 communities over spring break. Prior winners of this award are: Julie Gunkelman (2005) and Mary Davies and Chet Leverson (2006). The Foundation proudly extends congratulations to Vicki and Greg on their achievements. They are truly inspirational.
We thank everyone who attended this annual event, especially Foundation donors, fund holders, grant recipients and community leaders, and invite you to join us again next year as we follow our vision to address all quality of life needs in our community by creating unlimited philanthropic resources.
-- Inspirational People Inspiring Others! -- | |
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| Raer Family Fund - Established 2007
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