Foundation tops $1 million

The “Links to a Legacy” campaign reached its ambitious goal to increase the assets of the Michigan Retailers Foundation to $1 million.

Between late 2002, when the MRA Board of Directors set the goal, and the end of 2005, the campaign raised $572,249, boosting the foundation’s assets to $1,007,249.

Interest earned on the foundation’s assets fund MRA’s annual scholarship program, which awarded 108 scholarships in its first seven years. At least 23 students will receive scholarships in 2006.

The golf-themed “Links to a Legacy” campaign has encouraged sustained, cumulative giving to the foundation by rewarding contributors with increased levels of recognition as they move up through the various giving levels. That tracking and reward system remains in place to encourage continued, regular contributions to the foundation.

Three new named scholarships—the top rung on the Legacy giving ladder—were created during the campaign as a result of contributions from two MRA board members: the Fred E. and Lillian Sherman Scholarship, funded by the contributions of D. Larry Sherman in honor of his parents, founders of Sherman Shoes in Birmingham; and two Target Scholarships, funded by contributions from Target Corp and Joe Swanson, mid-Michigan district team leader at Target.

These new scholarships join six other named scholarships, including the Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA board member Peter Sobelton, owner of Sundries Plus in Troy, and his sister and brother-in-law, David and Barbara Stranahan, in honor of the Sobeltons’ parents, who founded Churchill’s in Birmingham.

“The Links campaign was a great start, but reaching our goal is no reason to stop giving,” said Sherman, who chaired the successful fundraising drive. “We continue to encourage all retailers to regularly consider the foundation in their giving plans.”

To contribute, contact MRA’s Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com. Contributions to the non-profit Michigan Retailers Foundation are tax-deductible.

Competition begins
for 23 scholarships

The Michigan Retailers Association’s annual college scholarship competition is underway. At least 23 scholarships of $1,000 will be available to MRA members, employees and their children who will be attending college in the 2006–2007 academic year.

Those eligible to apply for an MRA scholarship are high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:

• Dependent sons and daughters of owners or full-time employees of MRA-member businesses. The parent employee must have been employed by an MRA-member business since January 1, 2005; or

• Part-time employees who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by an MRA-member business since July 1, 2005.

Scholarship recipients are selected by an independent panel of educators chosen by Scholarship Program Administrators of Nashville, Tennessee, which coordinates the application and selection process for MRA.

Members will receive detailed information about the scholarship program via mail in early February. Applications must be submitted to Scholarship Program Adminstrators by April 1. Students are encouraged to complete the application process online at www.retailers.com (the access code is MIRA). Students may also contact Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com by March 15 to request an application by mail.

Awards are $500 for community college students and $1,000 for students of public or private colleges. Recipients are selected for their above-average academic performance and extracurricular activities. Financial need is not a consideration.