Foundation campaign moves closer
to the $1-million goal

With less than a year to go in its three-year campaign, Michigan Retailers Foundation’s “Links to a Legacy” fundraising drive is nearly two-thirds of the way to its goal of increasing assets to $1 million.

When the campaign was launched in 2002, the Foundation’s assets were $435,000. As of June 31, 2004, assets stood at $790,000 after $21,000 from interest earnings was paid out for scholarships for the 2004-05 school year.

For the first time, members may pledge at the Legacy or other level and indicate their annual contributions to reach that level. Members who pledge will receive recognition. See the insert in this issue for a contribution/pledge form.

“Links to a Legacy” challenges every retailer to build his or her own legacy through tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation to help young people pay for a college education so that they may start on the road to a successful future. The scholarship program has already grown remarkably in the past few years, providing 15 scholarships in 2003 and 21 scholarships this year.

“We’ve made good progress so far, but to reach this ambitious goal we’ll need continued contributions from past donors as well as new members stepping up to meet the challenge,” said campaign chairman D. Larry Sherman.

Sherman is an MRA board member and retired shoe retailer who has established one named scholarship and has pledged a second

The campaign encourages sustained, cumulative giving to the foundation by rewarding contributors with increased levels of recognition as they move up through the various giving levels. Four contributors moved up from the Medalists to the Professional level in the past year, and several more are near that goal.

Levels range from Medalists (under $1000) to the Legacy Club ($10,000 or more in cumulative gifts). Contributors at the Legacy Club level will have an annual scholarship named for them or their business and earn special recognition at MRA’s Lansing headquarters. In 2004, Target Corporation—together with the corporation’s mid-Michigan district team leader and MRA board member Joe Swanson—joined others in the Legacy Club and earned a named scholarship.

Michigan Retailers Foundation is a nonprofit organization, so contributions are tax-deductible.

There are many ways to contribute: a one-time gift of cash, appreciated stock or securities; installment contributions on a yearly, semi-yearly or monthly basis; or planned gifts made through wills, charitable annuities, life insurance or charitable trusts. To contribute, contact MRA’s Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com.

Foundation Contributors

Legacy Club
($10,000+)
Added benefit: a named scholarship and special recognition at MRA’s Lansing headquarters

Nathan Rosenfeld,
Deceased
Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship

D. Larry Sherman,
Birmingham
D. Larry Sherman Scholarship

Peter Sobelton, David and
Barbara Stranahan,
Birmingham
Raymond A. and Mildred C.
Sobelton Scholarship

Joe Swanson / Target Corporation,
Troy / Minneapolis, MN
Target Scholarship

Michigan Retailers Association,
Lansing
Michigan Retailers Association
Scholarship

Michigan Retailers Services,
Lansing
Michigan Retailers Services
Scholarship

Retailers Fund,
Lansing
Retailers Fund Scholarship

Masters Club
($7,001 to $10,000)
Added benefit: a personalized, framed story on you and your family’s rise to prominence in the retail industry

None at this time

Champions Club
($4,001 to $7,000)
Added benefit: preparation and distribution of news release to the media in your hometown

Jacobson Stores

Professionals Club
($1,000 to $4,000)
Added benefit: Professionals Club ribbon attached to your name badge at all MRA functions.

David & Jan Hayhow,
Okemos
Leonard & Sharon Janssen,
Rochester
Bruce Johnson,
Kalamazoo
John Mayleben,
Whitmore Lake
Joseph McCurry,
West Bloomfield
Mark Schrag,
Okemos

Medalist Club
(up to $1,000)

Amoco Oil Co.,
Atlanta, GA
Ann Arbor Clothing,
Ann Arbor
Donald & Anita Baron,
Lansing
Bridal Gallery,
Grand Rapids
Captain of the Fleet,
Detroit
Joseph Carr, Jr.,
Englewood, CO
Classic Tire,
Sparta
Coffee Beanery,
Flushing
Charles Creamer,
Lansing
Billy P. Crooks,
Southfield
Crystal Rainbow,
Milford
Daniel Lynch Sales,
Grand Rapids
Ed Davidson,
Ann Arbor
Duane Karr & Associates
Massage Therapy,
Milford
Earl Keim Realty, Inc.,
Lathrup Village
Engines Unlimited,
Hazel Park
Fashion Institute of
America Inc.,
Southfield
Anthony Fera,
Dearborn
Frames Galore,
Garden City
Robert Fredrikson,
Boca Raton, FL
Hermann’s Creation,
Oak Park
James and Elizabeth Hallan,
Okemos
Beatriz M. Hollis,
Birmingham
Huron Valley Furniture,
Milford
Joe’s Hobby,
Farmington
Karen’s Uniforms,
Cadillac
KRM of Michigan,
Warren
Ben Kandel,
Farmington Hills
Main Sport & Marine,
Holland
Kenneth Mangan,
Roseville
Orin & Tina Mazzoni,
Garden City
Jaye Mead,
Lansing
Lauren Mead,
Roscommon
Larry Meyer,
Lansing
Paul Muller,
Grand Rapids
Wayne Muller,
Grand Rapids
Shirley Lasater Muza,
Topeka, KS
Jeff Nord,
Kalamazoo
Parker, Wittus & Company,
Southfield
Sylvia Penfil,
Brighton
Pilatus Business Aircraft,
Broomfield, CO
Pilgrim Leasing LLC,
Birmingham
Robert Pisor,
Leland
Thomas W. Piotrowski,
Plymouth
W. Bruce Rogers,
Traverse City
Roz & Sherm,
Bloomfield Hills
Samuel Scammon,
Dearborn
Douglas Schubot,
Troy
James Schwark,
Shelby Township
Lewis Silver,
Southfield
Barb Stein,
Rockford
Studio 330,
Bloomfield Hills
Suzanne Sullivan,
Passiac, NJ
Tim & Jerry’s Shoes,
Grand Haven
What a Gift,
Bloomfield
Laurie Wicks,
Ann Arbor
Jack E. Wolf,
Greenville
Sidney Worthington,
Lansing
Yachtsman,
Birmingham
Frank & Kim Yanke,
Franklin