Sunfield Area Spy's Report - 2010, The Year in Review

The following is a simple compilation of what the SPY organization has managed to accomplish in the year 2010. We did not do this alone. We are but one thread in the cloth that makes up the diverse tapestry of the community at large. It takes the right, prevailing attitude, along with many willing hands to truly build and sustain a community. We are proud to continue to be; along with our corporate and platinum sponsors and supporters; a viable part of the endeavor to make the Sunfield area a better place to live.

• Jeff Gibbs; Chris & Missy Stambaugh; Dan Taylor; Brad Moorman; Casandra Weller; Art Meade; Ben Best and Dave Brace all joined the SPY’s in 2010.

• Our organization is always searching for ways to build, strengthen and maintain the true sense of community---to get more people involved. This year we undertook three major initiatives toward this end.

At the very beginning of the year, we announced the first two of these new and unique programs. The first was our involvement in the Disney "Give A Day Get A Day" initiative. This was where people who volunteered in community building activities could get free admission to either of the two main Disney theme parks. We had 63 people from all over central Michigan take advantage of this program and came here to help out in one way or another.

The second, was the establishment of the "Youth Community Service Points Program", which is an ongoing initiative that is attempting to promote positive youth involvement in the community that will pay dividends for all participants in the year that they graduate from high school.

The third major initiative was the putting together of the "Community Outreach Edition" of the Sunfield Sentinel which came out on September 30th. This is where every community group or entity was invited to place a special article about who they are, what they do, and how to contact someone to get involved free of charge. The Special Edition went to every household in the Sunfield postal district.

• Buddy "The 101 Ways To Prepare Road Kill Master Chef" Collins once again headed up our Wild Game Dinner. We had a fantastic fourteenth year hosting this event. It was once again a success. In fact we had 146 people attend this year. We also gave away more prizes than ever before. This immensely popular activity has evolved into one of our largest fund raisers.

• We continued our financial support for the area kids participating in the youth wrestling program. This year's cost was $560.

• Craig "The Pooh-Bah Of Paste Boards" Cappon once again headed up our twenty-eighth annual SPY's Euchre Tournament, or "The Showdown On Main Street", as it has become to be known. This year in the men's division we had tri-champions. They were Bill Weller, Chris Stambaugh, and Casey Shettler. Kathleen "The Ace Trumper Supreme" Hengesbach was the women's champion. The worst players in the tournament, and thus the winners of the "Sticky Butt" distinction, were Missy Stambaugh and Patrick Reynolds. Each won a scholarship to the Acme Euchre School.

• We once again provided both the team and individual funding for the Sunfield area youth playing in the Boys Pee Wee Basketball program. This totaled only $445 this year.

• We also covered all of the costs involved with the local girls that participated in the Girls Pee Wee Basketball program.

• We continued providing funding for the Sunfield Elementary teacher's individual classroom needs. This year's total was $300.

• We covered the $525 in costs for the area girls participating in the 7th & 8th grade softball program.

• We donated a total of $500 to help support the annual Farmer's Picnic fireworks show and other picnic activities. We also covered the costs in providing the porta-johns for the Picnicas well as providing funding for 100 bags of ice to be used free of charge by local vendors or activities..

• The 1,615th "Sunfield Area SPY Report" column was published in the Sunfield Sentinel this year. The "Dirt Sheet" - the region's #1 source for accurate news reporting - is now in its 36th year of publication.

• We donated $500 to Lakewood's Project Graduation. We have been a sponsor of this fine program since its inception 25 years ago.

• We partnered with the Sunfield School Parents Group when they did their family night outing to a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game. We purchased 30 tickets that were used as awards for deserving students or by families that wouldn’t have been able to afford to go on the outing.

• The membership voted to cover all of the funding for area youth participating in the Middle School Tennis Club activity.

• Scott "Don't Be A Litter Bug" McWhorter completed his fifteenth year of chairing our Adopt-A-Highway project. He coordinated the three roadside trash pick-ups this spring and summer along the 2-mile stretch of M-43 from Shaytown Road to Round Lake Road. His dedication to this effort is truly commendable!

• This year's funding allocation for support of the summer sports programs totaled $7,000. The funding covered all of the expenses for all of the Sunfield area kids playing on the many different baseball and softball teams and divisions.

• Rosie Best continued her role of running the SPY's annual Celebration Calendar project this year. The Community Celebration Calendar celebrated its 41st year of being a part of the community.

• We had 17 wonderful people sign up to have their United Way and other payroll deduction program contributions designated to come to the SPY's in 2010. People don't realize how big a difference doing this makes in our ability to meet the many needs of youth in the community. We appreciate everyone that takes the time to make their designations go to work here in our community.

• This past summer---the SPY’s Summer Celebration---roared into its sixth great year. This event was the brainchild of Phil Smith, who had long wanted to do a barbecue cook off. He teamed up with Bob Bumgardner, who had long wanted to do a car show, and the rest, as they say, is history. Then along came Chris Wegener, and a 5-K run / walk was added to the festivities. The Summer Celebration has turned out to be an event with tremendous potential. This year we had some rain, and other challenges to contend with, but we made it through. Kyle Erickson was the overall barbecue cook off champion. Bob Barker won the prestigious Participant's Choice Award in the car show. Scott Smith took home the People's Choice car show award. In the 5-K run, Adam Richmond was the overall men's champion and also set a new course record. Angela Moorman was the overall women's champion.

• $1,120 was allocated in 2010 to not only assist kids participating in the various local youth summer golf programs, but to also provide training aids for the program at Centennial Acres.

• We again donated $500 to the Sunfield Senior Citizens Nutritional Program in 2010.

• Oren Best continued to serve as our school liaison and John Fisher served as our liaison to the Sunfield Summer Athletic Association (SSAA), as well as the Farmer’s Picnic board this year.

• The Dime Pitch Booth that we run at the Farmer's Picnic each year is a major source of summer activities funding for us. Jamie & Crystal Peabody continued as leaders of this event for us and do an outstanding job.

• 2010 SPY Community Foundation Scholarship and Recognition Award winners were seniors Travis Ackerson, Jenna Avery, Robert Barta, Justina Hastings, Aaron Morris, Victoria Powelson, Elisa Ray, Dakota Spitzley, and Erika Whitinger. A total of $15,500 was awarded this year. A special salute goes out to the eight members of this year’s "Scholarship Review Committee"---Jackie Mulholland; James Wdzenczny; Angela Coan; Sandy Walliczek; Dana Desgranges; Duane Morelan; Shari Woodman; and Brad Moorman. They put in a lot of time and effort in the grueling selection process.

• This year the recipient of the SPY's "Richard Lenon Community Service Award", that goes to the graduating high school senior from the Sunfield area that has demonstrated the greatest involvement in the community, was Justina Hastings. She received a recognition plaque and a $750 cash award for her efforts.

• We also continue to be the chartering organization for the Cub Scouts.

• We were involved with the clean-up of the old IGA site on Main Street and were responsible for the creation of a green-space there.

• We continued our support of local kids involved in the various soccer programs offered. This year's soccer costs totaled $893.

• Bill Weller again led a fine crew in putting on the twenty-second annual Centennial Acres / SPY Shootout golf tournament that helps raise funding for our youth programs. Thanks to Bill's eye for continuous improvement, the tournament is getting better and smoother running each year. This year's division winners were: Phil Welch team; the Lin Mater team; the Union Bank team; the Dick Tichvon team; and the Pam Compton team. The "Corporate Challenge Cup" was won by the Sandra Walliczek Platinum Sponsor team, captained by Buddy Collins.

• Our twentieth annual "Barnyard Classic" 3 on 3 basketball tournament division winners were: the Simons team; Beav’s Boys; and the Joe Parks team. Darin "I’ve Been A Champion Dribbler All My Life" Weller once again did a fine job as the leader of the Classic.

• Jake "Foul Ball" Bosworth continued as the commissioner of the "SPY’s Charities Softball Tournament", that is held during Farmer’s Picnic week. This marked the 39th year the tournament has been held. The Slow Bob's / Penny's Pizza team was this year’s champion. Jarred Curtis was voted the tournament MVP.

• We appropriated $2,340 to cover expenses associated with the 28 local kids participating in the Lakewood Pee Wee football program.

• We assumed the partial sponsorship of having the school lunch menu printed each week in the Sunfield Sentinel.

• Back in 2007, we began working at Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments that are held Tripper’s Sports Bar in the Frandor shopping center in Lansing. By law, we are only allowed to get four licenses from the State each year for such activities. This year, due to more and more charities becoming involved with this type of fund-raiser, we were limited to running just three at Trippers. So, we used our fourth license to try out a new venue at the Ledge Meadows Golf Course poker room, which is closer to home for the workers. These tournaments are not only easy work, but have been a tremendous windfall for us in light of current economic conditions. It takes considerable pressure off of trying to generate the funds we need entirely through local sources. Sam Coan is our project chairman, and has been doing a fine job.

• We donated $100 to the "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" project.

• Numerous upgrades and improvements were made to the SPY’s website this past year. Many thanks go out to Peter Myers for the work he does for us keeping things up to date.

• The 50's/60's, (and now 70's too), Dance was held for its 34th year. It was again held at the American Legion Hall in Charlotte. The between sets acts were again the epitome of both entertainment and unparalleled artistic achievement. Juaise Peabody served as the chairperson of the hard-working committee that puts the dance together.

• Again in 2010, the SPY's were called upon at various times to handle "special needs projects" within the community that were brought to our attention. We feel privileged that we are in a position where we are able to make a difference in this particular way. It seems that these types of needs are increasing every year. Funds allocated for these "quiet" needs totaled approximately $1,500. We are aided in much of this work through donations from people who wish to remain anonymous. This is yet another example of a community working together.

• We made a $500 contribution to Manna’s Market food and clothing bank.

• The Scholarship Fund continued to grow in 2010, through the generous contributions from many individuals; special projects; and especially memorial gifts. We are indeed gratified by the community's support of the Scholarship Fund. Thus far, $152,000 has been awarded to 138 local graduating seniors. The Scholarship Fund continues to be administered by the SPY’s Community Foundation.

• 2010 saw the successful continuation of our "Corporate Sponsor" program. This is a specially designed program that allows us to form a more effective partnership with community and youth concerned businesses and individuals that provide benefits for all.

This year's "Corporate Sponsor" participants were:

Centennial Acres Golf Course
Mapes Furniture Company
Mark Woodman Plumbing and Heating
H.S.V. Redi-Mix
American Collegiate Marketing
Tico Duckett Distributing
Mason Ornamental Iron
Mike Davis Construction
Best Tax Service
Charlotte Wal-Mart
Union Bank
Hazel Brothers Drainage
Sunfield IGA
Automated Process Equipment Corporation
Haskin Snow Plowing
Wm. Morris & Son, Inc.
Down Home BBQ
Haskin Farms
Quality Hardwoods

As tough as things are in this state economically, we are indeed heartened and grateful for their continued significant support.

Three years ago, we launched our "Platinum Sponsor" program that is designed to be like the Corporate Sponsor program, but is set-up for private individuals that wish to contribute at least $500 annually to help our efforts. This year's Platinum Sponsors were: are:

Richard Lenon
LeRoy Jackson & Elaine Merryfield
John & Sandra Fisher
Bill & Patti Weller

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all these fine community minded individuals.

• We again participated in the Lakewood Community Council's Christmas Basket program which helps nearly 200 families in the Lakewood area, including a number locally, with food and gifts. This year we contributed $500, as well as provided a crew to handle all of the deliveries in the Sunfield area.

• Mingo Salas won the thirty-first annual Bill "Moose" Fisher Memorial All World International Poker Championship. This tournament benefits the Scholarship Fund.

• The "Youth Activities Trust Fund", which was started in 1996 with designated gifts, and is set-up to function like the "Scholarship Fund", in that it is intended to serve as a perpetual source of funding for some of our youth programs, continued to grow. Last year, the Trust Fund was turned over to the SPY’s Sunfield Community Foundation to insure its continuation for years to come.

• The legendary "Myrtle The Traveling Fertile Turtle" that shows up every year at the Annual Meeting struck again. We understand that we can chalk up at least #11 & #12 in 2010. Steve Spitzley is the current owner.

COMMENT

As you can see, the Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (S.P.Y.'s) are an active, vital organization. Our prime purpose is community betterment through helping kids.

I have mentioned this in the past, but it bears repeating. It comes from a note I received in the mail that, to me, captured what the SPY’s are all about---I quote---"Thanks for everything you do to enhance the lives of youth in Sunfield, and thus, everyone in the community. The ultimate value of bringing up a youth in the company of caring adults and in the pursuit of healthy and wholesome activity cannot be measured except as the priceless memory of a happy childhood."

Always remember, there are three main ingredients to our success.

First, there is the drive and dedication of our members.

Second, is the ever-present support and assistance of the S.P.Y.'s spouses and significant others.

Third, and perhaps most important, is the acceptance and backing from you folks out there for our projects, programs, and other activities.

To all of you S.P.Y.'s - to your helpmates - our Corporate Sponsors - our Platinum Sponsors - and to everyone that supported us in 2010 and years past - THANK YOU!!

Thank you for your help, support, contributions of any kind, hard work, dedication, and acceptance. The school, community, and this area in general is a better place because of all of us working and pulling together. We are indeed blessed.

Previous Reviews: 2009  2008  2007  2006  2005