Starr News Spring 2018

NEWS

Vol. 81 • No. 2 Spring 2018

Night of Starrs

Spartan Day of Service Our 105th Anniversary Celebration Volunteer of the Year Award Uncle Floyd: Building a Legacy

Starr News

starr commonwealth leadership Officers

Board of Trustees

Elizabeth A. Carey President Chief Executive Officer

Craig Carrel, Chair (2008 – 2021) President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI

Dudley N. Spade Chief of Staff Thomas F. Tate Chief Operating Officer

Honorable John Hallacy, Immediate Past Chair & Treasurer (2009 – 2019) Circuit Court Judge 37th District Court Battle Creek, MI Erick Stewart Vice Chair (2009 – 2018) President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI

George A. Goodman (2010 – 2019) Ypsilanti, MI Laura Koziarski (2013-2022) Child Advocate Battle Creek, MI Huilan Krenn (2017 – 2026) W.K. Kellogg Foundation Director of Learning & Impact Battle Creek, MI Lisa Miller (2018 – 2027) MMK Consulting Group Coldwater, MI

Stanley Allen, Secretary (2014 – 2023) Configuration Engineering Wells Fargo & Company Des Moines, IA

Randy Neumann (2013 – 2022) Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX

Scott Bennett (2010 – 2019) Senior Vice President Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI

John Thompson (2018 – 2027) VP of Marketing & Communications Albion College Albion, MI

Trustees Emeritus

President Emeritus

Michael J. Gable Human Resources Executive (Retired) Orlans Associates, PC Troy, MI

Martin L. Mitchell President Emeritus Coldwater, MI

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI Honorable Eugene A. Moore Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO (Retired) Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ *All Officers and Trustees can be reached at the following address and phone number: Starr Commonwealth 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road Albion, MI 49224 (517) 629-5591

Honorary Trustees Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA

Doug Clark (2013 – 2022) Executive Director, Donor Mktg U.S. Office of Development Cru International Camano Island, WA

Starr is dedicated to the mission of creating positive environments where children and families flourish.

Starr News Spring 2018 Volume 81 • No. 2 Starr Commonwealth is a nonprofit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color or national origin.

Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

Founded in 1913, Starr is licensed by the state of Michigan.

The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site.

Starr Commonwealth receives funds from social agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals.

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 info@starr.org

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Table of Contents

President’s Letter 3 Second Annual Night of Starrs 4 Spartan Day of Service

7

Our 105th Anniversary Celebration

8

Volunteer of the Year Award

9

Uncle Floyd: Buiding a Legacy

10

Honor and Memorial Gifts

11

Spring 2018

president’s letter

L

Altruism ast month, while raking and bagging leaves our society and ourselves. and sticks on our campus, De’Shon told me When we give, we build. that he was glad to help me; it’s what they do

I am surrounded by

here at Starr Commonwealth. I smiled and might have people who give every day and who teach others to felt the prickle of tears as I thanked him for his efforts.

give. Year after year, a century later, the work of Floyd

Starr continues. He built the beliefs and structure and

From our origination through 105 years of

service, we have been driving to help others. This each generation since has built the efforts that today drive, innate in each of us, is not for a selfish gain, have a lasting impact on everyone who helps. From but for a deep belief that giving to others makes

Dr. Larry Brendtro, Dr. Arlin Ness and Dr. Martin

society whole. We teach young people that giving Mitchell, I have learned that altruism is the key to a successful life. Giving to others – generosity – improves their lives; then we show them how.

For over a century, boys

and girls, families and now communities, have helped each other under the umbrella of Starr Commonwealth. For some, it is the first time they have been shown how to give to others. Can you imagine a life where you never knew you had something to offer others?

Whether it is your time,

“Charitable acts motivated purely by altruism, that unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.”

Merriam-Webster

makes me whole and allows others to reach their full potential. Starr Commonwealth is blessed to have so many volunteers, students, leaders and champions across the state and country who believe in the power of giving. We thank them all and look forward to continuing to give through Starr Commonwealth for the next century. It is what we do here.

help, compassion, labor… when we give back, we build resilience in ourselves and in

Sincerely,

those around us. We know that resilience allows us to keep moving forward and to grow and improve Elizabeth Carey, President and CEO

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S

tarr Commonwealth continued the tradition

The evening began with a VIP reception in the new-

of honoring local heroes for children with

ly-opened Brueckner Museum on our Albion cam-

our Second Annual Night

of Starrs. On April 11th we honored Hazel Maxine Martin-Lias from Albion, Brenda L. Hunt from Battle Creek, and Hans Schuler from Marshall for their dedication

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“Every human being is

pus. For many years, this building served a variety of functions: dis-

born with greatness.”

playing furniture from Gladsome,

–Erick Stewart

choir, and housing our archives.

serving as rehearsal space for our Before the Night of Starrs, the great

to the basic tenets of Starr’s mission: creating pos-

grandson of Floyd Starr, Randy

itive environments where children and families can

Neumann, worked tirelessly to bring out pieces from

flourish.

Uncle Floyd’s collection to be put back on display.

By the time guests arrived for the VIP reception, the

bers of Starr’s Board of Trustees, Laura Koziarski and

Brueckner Museum was decked out in artwork and

Erick Stewart, then spoke about our Night of Starrs

historical

pieces

from

and the Stand Tall Award,

Floyd Starr’s life.

which is given to those who truly believe in sup-

Guests enjoyed appetiz-

porting children and com-

ers, conversation and live

munities. “Every human

jazz music courtesy of

being is born with great-

Albion College musicians,

ness,” said Erick Stewart.

with many receiving personal lessons on the dis-

The first Stand Tall award

played pieces from Randy

was presented to Hazel

Neumann himself. When it was time to move across campus to the opening

Albion teacher

Public who

community for over 40 The VIP reception in the Brueckner Museum.

years. She was introduced

by Dr. Sheryl Mitchell,

them a chance to see our

who received the Stand

historic campus for the

Tall Award at last year’s

first time.

Before

former

a

served children in the

Starrs, many guests chose and walk, giving many of

Martin-Lias,

Schools

reception of the Night of to enjoy the nice weather

Maxine

Night of Starrs. Hazel the

gave a heartfelt thank you

program,

speech to the crowd, end-

guests had a chance to

ing it with her belief in our

enjoy hors d’oeuvres as

organization and what we

well as participate in some

have been doing for 105

of the fundraising events

years. “Starr does good

that were available: raffle tickets were purchased

work,” Hazel said.

for elite items, the wine

Kathy-Sue Vette was the

pull was open, and many

next to the podium, and

art pieces and experiences

she introduced Brenda

were available to bid on at

Hunt, the President and

the silent auction.

The program began with

CEO of the Battle Creek Some of the many items in the silent auction.

some opening remarks from

Community Foundation.

“Brenda is the very essence of

Starr’s President and CEO Elizabeth Carey, followed

the phrase, ‘if you see someone who needs help,

by two spoken word performances from Starr Albion

help them. If you can’t help them, find someone

Prep students. The co-chairs of this event and mem-

who can,’” Kathy told the crowd. When Brenda ac5

cepted her award, she spoke passionately about the children in Battle Creek and how it is all of our responsibility to help them succeed. “What I can do, I will do. What I should do, I will do,” said Brenda Hunt, quoting Dr. Russell Mawby.

Our last awardee was Hans Schuler, and he was introduced by former Stand Tall Award recipient Dr. Randy Davis of Marshall. Hans is the President and Owner of Schuler’s Restaurant, and he has worked tirelessly in his community by participating on boards and committees.

Spoken Word performance.

Hans ended his thank you speech by reminding everyone in the room, “continue the good work you’re doing, because it’s just begun.”

The program concluded with a spoken word performance by the two instructors who had been working with the Starr Albion Prep students. They finished their piece and reminded the crowd why we were all here, saying, “These kids that came up here – you didn’t change their lives, they changed yours.”

The Night of Starrs ended with an afterglow in the lobby, where raffle and silent auction win-

Lots of great prizes in the raffle.

ners were announced, and guests made some final purchases at the wine pull. Randy Neumann closed out the evening with a quiet song on the piano, and everyone left with their winnings.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Night of Starrs, either by sponsoring the event, purchasing tickets, or sharing the event on social media. Because of your support, we were able to raise over $30,000, which will go towards furthering our mission of creating positive environments where children, families, and communities can flourish. F

The afterglow party.

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Spartan Day of Service

Campus Cleanup at Starr Commonwealth This spring, we partnered with Michigan State University alumni and friends to clean-up our historic Albion campus. Working side-by-side with our staff and students, these wonderful volunteers raked up leaves and cleared branches throughout our 350 acre grounds. The event not only provided Spartan alumni an opportunity to share their experiences with our students, and vice versus, but it also gave each the chance to see and feel what Floyd Starr has always believed: Beauty is a silent teacher. Organized by the Calhoun County Spartans Alumni group and staff members here at Starr Commonwealth, this event gave more people a chance to come and experience our campus and offered a fun opportunity for local alumni and supporters to see

the work we are doing with our students. “It was such a great day, and I had so much fun talking with the kids here who helped clean up,” one young lady commented.

“They really seemed to enjoy making the place look nice.”

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came to our campus to help beautify our grounds!

Because of you, our students have these wonderful trails and gardens to help them heal and build resilience while they are on our campus.

If you would like to know more about our upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Ian Stewart at 517-630-2450. We’d love to have you join us in creating positive environments for children to flourish! F

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Stand Tall With Starr Our 105th Anniversary Celebration

This year, Starr Commonwealth is celebrating 105 years of working with children and families, supported by our steadfast belief that all children have the innate power to transform into something bold and beautiful. We are celebrating this anniversary in a big way – at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, October 6, 2018, in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and Butterfly Garden.

This ticketed event will feature a strolling dinner, great conversation, an open bar, and full access to the beautiful Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and Butterfly Garden, along with a short program where we will honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving children and families. We will be presenting the Child Advocacy and The Oneness of Humankind Awards, prestigious honors that Starr has previously presented to Carl Levin, Maya Angelou, and Muhammad Ali. We are excited to honor each award winner, to share the spirit of service, and to feel the power of oneness.

We hope you will join us for this great night of celebration and fly with us into our next 105 years of service!

You can learn more online at www.starr.org/105, or purchase tickets at www. starr.org/105-Tickets.

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ŠIllustration by Oliver Pangborn

Thank you to our early sponsors for our 105th Anniversary Celebration!

Volunteer of the Year Award Every year, Michigan Community Action (MCA), a group

willingness to help and friendly interactions while volunteer-

that provides many services for Michigan residents across

ing, we were nominated for the award and chosen by MCA.

multiple counties, holds their Community Action Awards.

These awards recognize the achievements and hard work

On May 3, several student representatives from Albion travelled to Lansing to receive the

of clients and volunteers whose

Volunteer of the Year Award. “We

contributions are aligned with

are so touched to know that not

the Community Action mission

only are we able to help those who

of reducing poverty and changing

truly need it, but that we are passing

lives in Michigan. This year, the

on that love of volunteerism to the

Volunteer of the Year Award went

students on our campus,” said Kristi

to Starr Albion Prep for their vol-

Wichmann, a Senior Clinician who

unteer work in Calhoun, Branch, St. Joseph, and Barry Counties.

attended the presentation.

Once a week for the past year, staff

Along with Starr Albion Prep, several other volunteers were given

at Albion have taken groups of

awards honoring their commitment

students over to Battle Creek to do food packing and distribution for

to helping others, including individ-

seniors in Calhoun County. “I like

uals who work across the state serv-

to know that I’m helping some-

ing senior citizens, delivering meals,

one,” one student said when asked

Community Action Award to Starr Albion Prep.

and providing tax services. We are grateful to be among such good com-

about their volunteer work. “I want to help people who can’t support themselves.” Community

pany at this year’s Community Action Awards, and we will

Action staff estimate that our students provided more than

continue to foster a love of helping others in every child we

1500 volunteer hours over the past year. Based on our students’

meet. F

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Uncle Floyd

building a legacy Floyd Elliot Starr

was born on May 1st, 1883, outside of Decatur, Michigan. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1902 and began working with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union recruiting for the Loyal Temperance League. In this role he met many people who became lifelong friends, including Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, whom Floyd has credited with being a major factor in his decision to found Starr Commonwealth.

After working with the Temperance Union for a

Floyd Starr worked tirelessly to get these boys

year, Floyd Starr decided to focus on furthering his

taken care of, whether through adoption or foster

education. He enrolled in Kalamazoo College and

care, but still had thirteen boys left when Beulah

later transferred to Albion College, where he grad-

Home officially closed. These thirteen became

uated in 1910 with the idea of creating a home for boys labeled “juvenile delinquents” already in his mind.

“There is no such

thing as a bad child.”

the first boys of Starr Commonwealth.

In October of 1913, Floyd Starr moved onto the first 40 acres of

While searching for a place where he could be-

what is now our Albion campus, and began work-

gin helping children and settle down with his

ing with boys that society had ignored. 105 years

new wife, Harriet, and daughter, Margaret, Floyd

later, we continue his legacy, working to build re-

found the Beulah Land Farm for Boys in Boyne

silience in every child that comes to us.

City, Michigan and in 1912 accepted the position

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of assistant director. Things quickly went south

This year, Floyd Starr would have been 135 years

for Beulah Home and the director that had hired

old. In his lifetime, he watched a 40 acre plot of

Floyd, and the organization was forced to close,

land grow into a vast organization dedicated to his

leaving almost fifty boys homeless.

idea that there is no such thing as a bad child. F

Honor & Memorial gifts The gifts reflect the period from 01/13/2018 - 04/18/2018. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed.

HONOR & MEMORIAL GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person or occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one. Extend a helping hand to the children of Starr by making your donation to Starr at www.starr.org.

In Honor of:

In Memory of:

DINAH DURUSSEL Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Benson

HOWARD ARMITAGE Ms. Dorothy L. Haggard

HAZEL LIAS Ms. Jessica Roberts

CALVIN BOWEN Dr. and Mrs. Charles T. Watling Jr.

ARLIN AND BARBARA NESS Mrs. Carla Harker

MARTHA E. CLARK Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann Ms. Kaitlynn Watkins

MADELINE I. SHAW-NAJARIAN Dr. and Mrs. Brian Shaw CAELAN K. SOMA Ms. Patricia Guarino ADAM S. SZYMANSKI Ms. Sandy LaCross KONNER AND GARRETT VOIGT Mr. and Mrs. Robert Voigt

DR. HAROLD L. DALY Dr. Miriam S. Daly CONCETTA FALCONE Mr. John Falcone JOYCE FRANKE Mr. Tom Franke

WILLIAM B. GEORGE Dr. Richard L. Pinkerton, Ph.D.

SYDNEY H. WARDELL Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Wardell

JOHN B. GMEINER Mrs. Marian P. Gmeiner

ZHENZHONG YANG Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann W. K. Kellogg Foundation

J. B. GRIBBELL Mr. and Mrs. James K. Walser LEO KENNETH HORNETT Mrs. Lynn Komasara JON A. RHOADES Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann

JEROME “JERRY” YOHAM Mrs. Elizabeth A. Carey Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Carrier Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness

GLORIA TACHUK Mr. Ronald A. Tachuk FRANCES C. WARDELL Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Wardell

Celebrate Uncle Floyd and Starr Commonwealth today by donating: • $ 350 for each acre on Starr’s current Albion campus • $ 135 for how old Uncle Floyd would be today • $ 105 for how long Starr Commonwealth has been serving children • $ 30 for Uncle Floyd’s age when he founded Starr • $ 19.13 for the founding year of Starr Commonwealth Donate online at www.starr.org/donate.

Thank you for caring about the children and families that we serve at Starr Commonwealth.

135 students gathered at the cross with carnations to commemorate Uncle Floyd.

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Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #975 Lansing, MI 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, Michigan 49224 www.starr.org

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591 Change service requested

Trauma & Resilience Training for Helping Professionals

June 12-13 • Rockwall, Texas July 10-13 • Clinton Township, MIchigan September 25-28 • Austin, Texas

Starr Learning Series Training at our Albion Campus

Most Wednesdays in May, June, July & August

For more information go to

www.starr.org