Courtesy Photo Pete Wilson, on left, and Steve Wilson, owners of Alpena Agency, present ACC Foundation Executive Director Brenda Herman, in center, with a $10,000 check to support the Healthy Futures Start Here campaign.

Alpena Community College Foundation’s Healthy Futures Start Here campaign has seen tremendous support from businesses and individuals alike. Most recently, Pete and Steve Wilson of Alpena Agency presented the ACC Foundation with a $10,000 check in support of the project.

“Alpena Agency has been a part of the Alpena community for 89 years and it is with great pride that we carry on the tradition of giving back to the community that supports us,” said Steve Wilson. “ACC is an integral part of what we are as a community, and we believe this project is worthy of our community’s investment.”

“We want our community to continue to grow and attract new people to our area,” Pete Wilson added. “ACC is an important part of making Alpena an attractive place to live and raise a family. The nursing program has a strong history at ACC — this investment will help maintain this program well into the future.”

The $8.7 million Van Lare Hall renovation project includes relocating ACC’s nursing program and creating a Center for Health Sciences. A $1 million state-of-the-art simulation learning lab will better prepare nursing students for real world experiences, while a newly constructed community gathering space overlooking the Thunder Bay River will provide a warm environment for small group gatherings. Additionally, improvements will be made to Van Lare Hall’s windows, HVAC and electrical systems, and the building’s exterior.

According to Georgene Hildebrand, chair of the campaign, “The ACC Foundation made a commitment to raise $2.95 million in community support toward the college’s $8.7 million project. We are pleased to announce that through the earnest efforts of our volunteers and the generosity of over 300 supporters, we have secured a total of $2,749,000. We’re focusing on the successful completion of our campaign within the next 30-45 days by seeking financial support from the community at large.”

For more information on the Healthy Futures Start Here campaign or to make a donation, contact Brenda Herman, executive director of the ACC Foundation at 989-358-7297, or visit www.alpenacc.edu.