News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A group of area kids enjoy a game of foosball and other activities while visiting the Alpena Boys and Girls Club after school Wednesday. It was announced Wednesday that the club is a recipient of a $1 million grant from the Besser Foundation which will help to either renovate their existing facility or move to a new one. Besser Foundation issued six grants totaling $2.4 million for local education, health and recreation projects.

ALPENA — Local nonprofits, schools, and other initiatives received a large financial boost on Wednesday as the Besser Foundation announced its plan to allocate $2.4 million in grants to seven local entities.

The foundation announced the giving to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

The largest allocation is for $1 million, over three years, to help the Alpena Boys and Girls Club move into a new facility.

Other grants announced include:

∫ $413,000 to help Alpena Public Schools to purchase individual student computers, improve the athletic field, and other educational uses.

∫ $200,000 over two years toward the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary fulfill its required match for a nearly $4 million Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for a large development project next to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

∫ $200,000 to help the Alpena Child Care and Development Center increase availability of quality child care,

∫ $300,000 over three years for facility improvements at MidMichigan Health Systems,

∫ $105,000 to Alpena Community College for full-ride scholarships in each of five major areas of programming, and

∫ $25,000 to the Besser Museum of Northeast Michigan for a project not yet announced,

It hasn’t yet been determined how the remaining $100,000 will be used.

“Over our many years, foundation trustees have stayed true to the vision, commitment, and beliefs set forth by our founders, Jesse and Anna Besser,” Besser Foundation President Jim Park said in a statement. “We believe these impact grants carry on those traditions and will provide visible real and economic impact in our community.”

Alpena Boys and Girls Club Director Brad Somers was brought to tears when he learned the club was given the $1 million, Somers said Wednesday.

He said the money will allow the club to continue and greatly expand its services. He said the search for a new facility is ongoing and a renovation to the existing building hasn’t been ruled out.

“Seven figures is a huge grant amount, and is a huge commitment entrusted to us that we are are prepared for,” he said. “It will allow us to expand our services and provide a bigger space to service more kids more often. Besser Foundation has given us an opportunity to meet the needs of today’s kids and it is huge for us.”

Alpena schools Superintendent John VanWagoner said Besser Foundation has always operated with children in mind and has aided the school in many endeavors over the course of time. He said the money announced Wednesday will allow programs, such as robotics and other technology programs, to continue to flourish in the district.

“The beautiful thing is they provide things that are supplemental for kids and have been instrumental in helping them blossom, like robotics,” he said. “The technology they provide every student we no doubt would not be able to do so without their help. They have been unbelievable.”

At ACC, one student from each of the concrete tech, business administration, nursing, utility tech, and electrical assistance programs will get a scholarship, President Don MacMaster said.

“Besser Foundation has been a great supporter for decades, and we salute them on this historic anniversary,” MacMaster said. “We are delighted and grateful for the scholarships and support for future ACC students.”

Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Director Katie Wolf said the donation will put a big dent in the $433,000 the group must raise to match the state grant. The group plans to build a park along the Thunder Bay River that will include an amphitheater, pavilion and multiple sports courts adjacent to the Heritage Center. That project is separate from a River Center planned upstream near Island Park.

“On behalf of the community and future generations who will benefit from the Besser Foundation’s incredibly generous gifts, we are deeply grateful,” Wolf said. “The Besser Foundation board is truly carrying out Jesse Besser’s vision and commitment of leveraging resources to benefit the Alpena area now and for future generations to come.”

Besser Foundation Manager and Trustee Gary Dawley said in a statement the grants announced Wednesday were unsolicited.

“Although this is a special anniversary, every year, annual grants of approximately $1 million are awarded to local grantees supporting their cause, vision, and mission,” Dawley said. “We believe they have an impact on nearly everyone in Alpena.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.