Art of Philanthropy 2024

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

hank you for joining us as we celebrate our common humanity by honoring those who contribute to the success of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. We look forward to honoring our volunteers and others who believe in our vision of a vibrant and equitable Genesee County.

Our entertainment this evening is provided by African Drum and Dance Association. Enjoy our food this evening from the Flint Social Club. The button-making experience is provided by Plain Air Projects.

Kudos to the staff of the Flint Institute of Arts Museum + Art School for providing this marvelous venue. Enjoy the evening!

Our Vision

A vibrant and equitable Genesee County where everyone can thrive.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Greater Flint partners and leads by influencing and connecting generosity to Genesee County needs. For Good. For Ever. For Everyone.

WELCOME TO

he Community Foundation of Greater Flint is delighted to welcome you to our annual celebration, the Art of Philanthropy This evening, we come together to honor the individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of generosity and commitment to the betterment of Genesee County.

Through the presentation of prestigious awards, heartfelt recognition of our volunteers, and the sharing of inspiring stories, we celebrate the profound impact philanthropy has on our community. This event not only acknowledges those who have given so much, but also highlights the importance of continuing this legacy of giving for generations to come.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the art of giving. Together, we are building a vibrant and equitable Genesee County where everyone can thrive.

PROGRAM BEGINS AT 5:45 P.M.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Performance by African Drum and Dance Association

Matt Franklin, Guest Host, ABC 12 News Anchor

Mark Piper, Chair, Board of Trustees

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Mark Miller, Interim President and CEO, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Awards Presentations

Libby Award

Presented to Barbara Wesley by Jessica Judson, Chair of the Flint Women and Girls Committee

Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award

Presented to Dr. Maurice Chapin by Tony Vu, Founder of Flint Social Club

Recognizing Our Volunteers

Presented by Sue Peters, Vice President of Community Impact

Message of Appreciation

Lottie Ferguson, Vice President of Donor Services and Development

Closing Remarks

Matt Franklin, Guest Host, ABC 12 News Anchor

Mark Miller, Interim President & CEO, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

ommunity Foundation of Greater Flint’s funds and assets are governed by an independent board of trustees composed of respected community leaders from diverse backgrounds. Board members are selected for their knowledge of community needs and for their professional expertise. We are grateful to our Board of Trustees, whose dedication and commitment exemplify the philanthropic spirit of Genesee County.

Mark Piper, Chair Piper Realty

Mark Miller, Vice Chair General Motors (Retired) CFGF Interim President & CEO

Chris Graff, Treasurer Hank Graff Chevrolet

Patrick McGuire, Secretary Farm Bureau Insurance

Gabrielle Clarke Student, Flushing High School

Joel Feick Flint and Genesee Group

Dawn Hiller Hurley Medical Center (Retired)

Carol Hurand Community Volunteer

Tim Knecht Cline, Cline & Griffin

Nita Kulkarni, MD Physician

DeAndra Larkin Community Engagement Advocate

Carma Lewis

U.S. House of Rep., Dan Kildee Flint Neighborhoods United

Robert Landaal, Jr. Landaal Packaging Systems

Jill Norwood Educator (Retired)

Jia Patel Student, Grand Blanc High School

Manal B. Saab SGT Ltd.

Ron Stack Cyclefit Sports

Sherri E. Stephens Stephens Wealth Management Group

Shannon White Funchitecture

Omari Young, MD Massachusetts General Hospital

arbara Wesley, an educator, activist, and community servant, is the 2024 recipient of the Libby Award.

The Libby Award, established in 2000 to celebrate the legacy of Olivia P. “Libby” Maynard, a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for women and girls in Genesee County, recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of service and commitment to the community.

“At her core, Ms. Wesley is a giver,” said Essence Wilson, who nominated Barbara for the award. “She is generous with her time, talent, and treasure to benefit women and girls in our community.”

Barbara’s impactful career began in the early 1970s as an English Literature teacher at Northwestern High School in Flint, Michigan. Her Harlem Renaissance class inspired young women to explore their creative potential. One of her most memorable contributions was organizing a transformative trip to Harlem, New York—an experience her students cherish to this day. “Teaching at Northwestern probably changed my whole outlook of life,” Barbara shared. “High school students were expressing themselves in passionate ways. It just really came to me that I could get involved.”

Barbara’s commitment to helping others extended beyond her professional life and into her home. Her daughter, Lisa Brantley, recalls, “She was always looking for ways to help others in our home. It was not uncommon for Mom to invite people who were less fortunate or didn’t have a family to enjoy the holiday with to our dinner table on Thanksgiving. Beyond meals, Mom opened up her home many times for young ladies and their families to live with us.”

Barbara is involved in community organizations such as the YWCA Greater Flint, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Beta Omega Chapter, and the Flint Institute of Music. A steadfast supporter of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, she donates annually to various funds benefiting these organizations. Barbara is also an active driver and fundraiser for the Links, Incorporated Flint Area (MI) Chapter Flint Kids Matter Fund of CFGF.

Barbara was one of the charter members who were instrumental in establishing the Ivy House, an initiative of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Beta Omega Chapter. The Ivy House intends to meet community needs, support women and girls, and offer a community facility for programming.

Barbara Wesley

“Barbara saw the vision,” Wilson adds. “She understood the benefit of ownership and a place that would be a help to the community. The Ivy House has served the community through meeting the needs of students, providing school supplies and providing goods for women’s shelters.”

As an activist, Barbara played a significant role in local politics and the United Teachers of Flint, the Black teachers’ caucus advocating for desegregation in the city. Her activism extended beyond Flint, chairing the “Connections” Political Action Committee and leading efforts to engage with state legislators in Lansing.

Barbara’s commitment to community service continued in her role as a counselor at Whittier Middle School, where she served as a mentor and coach, guiding students toward positive paths. Later, as Human Resource Director for Flint Community Schools, she focused on helping students recognize the value of education and ensuring they had the support needed to succeed.

Reflecting on receiving the Libby Award, Barbara shared, “It’s very humbling, and it’s with a great deal of humility that I accept. I have done things in my life that I feel are serviceoriented, and I’m proud and happy and thankful for all the support that I have had and still have.”

Barbara remains active with the Teen Girls Summit, a partnership with Mott Community College, and continues to mentor young women. Her advice to the younger generation is simple but profound: “Network, and when you have the opportunity, go out and find something where your skills and passion can match. You’re not just helping people; you’re receiving inspiration, fulfillment, and knowledge.”

Barbara Wesley’s lifelong dedication to education and community has made a significant impact on Genesee County, embodying the spirit of the Libby Award.

he Flint Women and Girls Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint created the Libby Award in 2000 to honor Olivia P. “Libby” Maynard, a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for women and girls of Genesee County. We present this award every two years to an outstanding woman who, over an expansive lifetime, has demonstrated these qualities.

Former Libby Award Recipients

2000 Olivia P. Maynard

2002 Sarah E. Warner

2004 Celia Perez Booth

2006 Claire M. White

2008 Dolores C. Ennis

2010 Susan L. Moulton, MSN

2012 Katherine Saunders

2014 Evelyn V. Golden MD

2016 Jessie M. Muldrew, PhD

2018 Kathryn “Kitty” Moeller

2020 Sandra L. Murphy and Reta Stanley

2022 Harriet Kenworthy and Sally Kagerer

THE CLEMENT A. ALFRED HUMANITARIAN AWARD

r. Maurice H. Chapin, a dedicated healthcare professional, veteran, and global health advocate, received the 2024 Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award.

The Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a Flint-area healthcare professional who exemplifies a commitment to professionalism, integrity, and humanitarian service, reflecting the lifelong dedication of Dr. Alfred.

Nominated by Peter Thoms, Dr. Chapin has dedicated his career to serving others, leaving a profound impact on the communities he has touched.

Speaking about the recognition, Dr. Chapin said, “I just do the things that I do because I think that it’s the right thing to do, and it’s what God wants me to do. I just hope that when my life is over, that God will say, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’”

Dr. Chapin’s journey in healthcare began with four years in the U.S. Army, where he completed a family practice residency at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1961, he settled with his family in Millington, Michigan, where he opened a family medicine practice and joined the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Flint. Over nearly four decades, he built a reputation as a caring and dedicated physician, earning the Physician of the Year award in 1986. He retired in 1999 after 38 years of service, but his commitment to healthcare didn’t end there.

Reflecting on his early life, Dr. Chapin shared, “I was raised on a farm, and I spent quite a bit of time hoeing corn and milking cows. I had planned on being a farmer... but during the year between my junior and senior years in high school, my sister, who had become a nurse, talked me into becoming a doctor. I think this was God working in my life.” That pivotal conversation set Dr. Chapin on a path to Central Michigan College, and later, medical school.

Throughout his career, Dr. Chapin served on numerous boards and committees, including a review board for nursing homes in the Flint area. His leadership extended to the Flint District Board of Missions and the Haiti Liberia Task Force, where he played a crucial role in organizing and facilitating shipments of medical supplies to Samuteb Hospital in the Dominican Republic of the Congo. His service also extended to the Methodist community, where he volunteered as a nurse and physician at Camp Kinawind for many years.

Dr. Maurice H. Chapin

Dr. Chapin’s commitment to global health is evident through his participation in mission trips to Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe, where he provided essential care to underserved communities, often accompanied by his wife, Dorothy Chapin. He also assisted in the cleanup after Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Louisiana and continued his service with a mission trip to the Appalachian region. He received a World Family Practitioners award to mark his dedication around the world.

Dr. Chapin’s says that his global health mission work is the result of his “servant” leadership mindset. “If we are going to be living like Christ, we have to have a servant attitude, and I guess that’s how I practice medicine, and it’s pretty much how I’ve lived my life,” explained Dr. Chapin.

Locally, Dr. Chapin continues to give back. He has volunteered with the Forgotten Men’s Prison Ministries, tutored at Millington Elementary School, and offered his services at a local free clinic. His deep commitment to his faith and community has made him a beloved figure in Millington and beyond.

Dr. Chapin and his late wife, Beverly Gould Chapin, raised six children and established two endowed awards: the Beverly A. Gould Chapin Endowed Music Award, in memory of Beverly, a music teacher, and the Dr. Maurice H. Chapin Pre-Medicine Endowed Award for pre-med students.

“I read somewhere that the epitome of demonstrating and living out love is patience. I have not always lived up to that, but that’s my goal,” said Dr. Chapin. “I want to show Christ’s love to the world.”

lement A. Alfred, DDS, began his dental practice on Corunna Road in Flint in 1936, and for the next 60 years was an advocate for professional excellence and community involvement. Throughout his career, Dr. Alfred held leadership positions within many professional and civic organizations. His legacy of caring continued until his death in 2001.

The Dr. Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award was established by Dr. Alfred’s family on his 80th birthday on April 29, 1991. The award is presented each year to a Flint area health professional who demonstrates a commitment to professionalism, integrity, and humanitarian goals.

Former Alfred Award Recipients

R. Roderic Abbott, MD

Jim Ananich

Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD

Fleming A. Barbour, MD

James K. Cantwell, DDS

Samuel Dismond, Jr., MD

Marc Edwards, PhD

Carrie “Carolyn” Germain

Raymond F. Gist, DDS

Evelyn V. Golden, MD

Saul S. Gorne, MD

Edwin H. Gullekson, MD

F. Michael Jaggi, DO

Mark H. Knight, DDS

Jayashree Kommareddi

Rima Kudish, MD

Paul Lafia, MD

Peter A. Levine, MPH

Vivian M. Lewis, MD

Susan L. Moulton, MSN

AppaRao Mukkamala, MD

Marigowda Nagaraju, MD

Gerald Natzke, Jr., DO

Milton Panzer, DDS

Archibald Piper, MD

Lawrence A. Reynolds, MD

M. Susan Schneberger

Kirk Smith, MHSA

Robert Soderstrom, MD

Charles Thompson, MD

Peter S. Thoms, MD

Allen Turcke, MD

Arthur L. Tuuri, MD

HONORING OUR

his year, we bid farewell to several remarkable volunteers who are retiring from their committee roles. Their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have left a lasting impact on the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the community we serve.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable contributions:

Grand Blanc Community Fund

Delore Hurley, 10 years

Dean Keipert, 10 years

Janette Sullivant, 10 years

Kamal Gupta, 19 years

Countywide Youth Advisory Committee

Alicea Jones, 1 year

Sir Johnson, 1 year

Your commitment to service has enriched our community, and your legacy will continue to inspire us all. Thank you for your years of hard work and unwavering support.

To view the complete list of volunteers, scan this QR code or visit www.cfgf.org/who-we-are/our-volunteers.

hank you for being part of The Art of Philanthropy celebration!

Your presence and generosity are at the heart of the positive change we’ve created in Genesee County. Through your support, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint has been able to fund impactful programs and projects that uplift our community.

But our work is far from done. There are still countless opportunities to empower, uplift, and nurture every corner of our county. Your gift — no matter the size or designation — plays a vital role in addressing the diverse needs of our community and ensuring lasting change.

When you give today, you’re not just making a donation — you’re investing in a more equitable, vibrant Genesee County where everyone can thrive. Together, we’re building a future that benefits all, for good, for ever, for everyone.

Let’s continue this important work together. To give, visit our website at www.cfgf.org, or connect with a member of our Development and Donor Services Team at 810.767.8270. Your commitment makes all the difference.

Community Foundation of Greater Flint Endowment Operations Fund

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