Contributors

JH Findorff & Son Construction donates $50,000

September 3, 2008

Sun Prairie Education Foundation members accepted a $50,000 donation from JH Findorff & Son Construction on Sept. 3, 2008 at the site of the new Sun Prairie High School on Highway N. From left are SPEF members Glenn Fenske, Randy Handel, Pam Albi and Ron Blawusch; and representing JH Findorff, Jeff Tubbs and Rich Lynch.

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Harms, QBE donate $10,000 to Sun Prairie Education Foundation

August 5, 2008

Matt Harms and Ritter Insurance, in a donation matched by Sun Prairie-based QBE-General Casualty Insurance Companies, donated $10,000 on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to the Sun Prairie Education Foundation to serve as both a celebration of 25 years in business for Ritter Insurance and as a way to reach youth about the future of renewable energy.

"We obviously could have set this up on our own, but we wanted to do it through the Foundation, but we feel very strongly this is a great organization," Harms said. "We hope that by giving our gift to the Education Foundation (SPEF), that we can get some publicity for them also - for what they're doing out here in the community and how they're helping and get some awareness - so that was one of the main reasons.

"The other reason we did it is because with this gift, our goal is to reach the kids," Harms said. "With the people involved in this group - business people and school people - this was the best way to take our money and really reach the most kids with the message."

The goal is to get into every Sun Prairie Area School District public school with something age-appropriate relating to renewable energy, according to Harms. "The other thing that this group generates is we have businesspeople who generate ideas."

One such example: Hooking Harms up with Sun Prairie Water & Light to engage renewable energy resources from Sun Prairie-based Wisconsin Public Power Inc. as part of the potential to place renewable energy programs in the schools.

"The generosity of the Ritters in combination with General Casualty is certainly a boon for us," remarked Glenn Fenske, outgoing SPEF President and founding trustee of the SPEF board of directors. "I thought it was really unique because it speaks highly of an organization and him personally because to see an organization of that size working that closely with an independent agent...that says a lot for what they think (of Matt).

"I think their cause and direction are timely with what's going on in society today," Fenske said.

In addition, Harms said many local businesses, including Cardinal Heating - which has branched out into Cardinal Solar - and Town & County Electric have renewable energy components to their businesses. Part of the gift could potentially be a career fair at Sun Prairie High School for youth to explore careers in renewable energy, according to Harms.

"We do hope to make this an annual thing, I would like to point that out," Harms said, referring to an annual donation which this year was matched by QBE-General Casualty.

"I think the working together between QBE-General Casualty and Ritter Insurance Agency...to me, that's pretty special that they're willing to do that for him, for the Foundation, and ultimately for the community," Fenske added. "That's pretty special."

QBE has been environmentally-focused for years and this gift helps work towards that goal, according to Harms. "It's a gift to the community, but this is also an extension of their corporate mission or philosophy," Harms said.

Rich Kalina, Wisconsin Regional Vice President for QBE-Regional in Sun Prairie, said the cause is very close to QBE's mission. "Matt came up with the idea and we were more than happy to match funds for this," Kalina said. "I thought it was just a great cause for us." Kalina said he was discussing the issue with Harms and Kip Kobussen, chief administrative officer for QBE-the Americas and a Sun Prairie Education Foundation board member. "QBE is really focused on green construction and doing the right things environmentally, so this is a great cause," Kalina said.

Randy Handel, incoming president of the Sun Prairie Education Foundation, said the gift is a timely one. "When you think about everything from renewable energy to green building, alternative fuels and all the different areas - it's a global discussion for us coming home to Sun Prairie through (QBE's) support.

Harms said the Foundation is seeking ideas and input on how to use the gift; to provide specific ideas, please send a letter to the Foundation via U.S. Mail at Post Office Box 836, Sun Prairie WI 53590.

The Sun Prairie Education Foundation, which recently marked its fifth anniversary, enhances extraordinary educational opportunities throughout the Sun Prairie Area School District by acquiring and distributing resources. The Foundation carries out its mission by focusing its support in the following areas:

• Provide funds for enrichment activities; encourage excellence through creative teaching;
• Support professional growth of teachers;
• Provide grants for creative ideas and programs;
• Facilitate community-school partnerships;
• Promote community awareness of school programs;
• Develop enrichment programs to address the needs of Sun Prairie's community schools and the community it serves;
• and Provide a vehicle for individuals, businesses and organizations to share resources and gifts with the Sun Prairie school community.

Sun Prairie Education Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of trustees through the rules set in the bylaws. The board is responsible for selecting projects and dispensing funds. The Board of Trustees operates independently, and has no direct affiliation with the Sun Prairie Area School Board or the Sun Prairie Area School District.

For more information about the Sun Prairie Education Foundation, log on to the Sun Prairie Education Foundation Web site at www.sunprairieeducationfoundation.org.

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Summit Credit Union donates $1,000

March 9, 2006

Sun Prairie Education Foundation President Glenn Fenske (left) accepted a $1,000 donation from Summit Credit Union CEO Andy Faust (right) and Summit Executive Vice President Diane Halvorson during a March 9, 2006 open house to mark the grand opening of the newly remodeled Summit Credit Union office at 1333 W. Main in Sun Prairie.

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