Author: Packerland Team

On October 20, 2017, the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation awarded Kingdom Come, Inc. a $25,000 grant.

Kingdom Come, Inc. is a food pantry organized in July of 2005. They provide food to needy individuals and families primarily in the Oconto County area. The organization’s mission is “to serve those in need in a way that honors God and each other”. The food pantry serves approximately 200 clients per week and is operated strictly by volunteers.

The grant money was used to expand the pantry’s registration area. The old area did not have enough room for clients who were waiting to access the food distribution area. This absence of space resulted in a lack of privacy and resulted in clients waiting outside before they were served. This grant also assisted the pantry in updating and improving the restrooms.

The Bond Foundation is proud to partner with Kingdom Come in helping to better serve its current clients and allow for future growth.

By Joan Koehne
Owner of Writer to the Rescue

The Byng Community Theater in Abrams will install new seating for its audience, thanks to an $11,535 grant from the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation. Abrams Spotlight Productions will replace the theater’s church pews with more comfortable and versatile chairs.

According to Bond Foundation Executive Director, Jennifer Hanna, the project was selected for funding because of the theater’s significance in the community.

“The foundation’s board of directors recognized Abrams Spotlight Productions as a great creative outlet for the local community as well as an entertainment venue for people of all ages,” she said.

“The board was also impressed with the dedication and hard work of the many volunteers who are responsible for the success of Abrams Spotlight Productions. The board felt the theater seating will improve not only the function of the theater but also allow Abrams Spotlight Productions to better serve the community.”

“We are so grateful to be selected for a Bond Foundation grant,” said Bill Koehne, president of Abrams Spotlight Productions. “These chairs will provide added comfort for our patrons and the opportunity for us to better utilize our space and more easily accommodate patrons with disabilities.”

The 200 new chairs will replace all 22 pews in the church, plus three rows of metal folding chairs. The new chairs are solidly built, durable, washable, and stackable.

The grant also provides funding for the flooring to be cleaned and prepped before the new chairs are installed. In order to keep costs to a minimum, volunteers will remove the pews and install the chairs. The renovations will take place in late December or early January, and the church pews will be available for purchase.

The pews are remnants of the building’s previous use as St. Louis Catholic Church. The facility, home to Abrams Spotlight Productions since 2007, has undergone a series of transformations that include the construction of a stage with modular set booms, backstage dressing rooms, a concession stand, and a light, sound, and projections booth.

The new seating is scheduled to be unveiled Feb. 15, 2018, at a joint Oconto Falls/Oconto Chamber of Commerce event. Patrons attending the spring performance of “Singing in the Rain” will be the first to sit in the new chairs. The show will be performed March 16-18 and March 23-25.

The cast and crew is currently rehearsing for “Meet Me in St. Louis,” a classic holiday musical to be presented Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10 at the Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St. in Abrams.

The Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation is a family-endowed foundation committed to the growth and improvement of Oconto County and its surrounding areas. The foundation was established in 1993 by Leon Bond (benefactor of the foundation and founder of the Bond Pickle Company) and Earl DeCloux.

On August 4, 2017, the City of Oconto Police Department held National Night Out at City Hall. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live. This event enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Activities included special visits by the Oconto Fire and Rescue Department and the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit, face painting, music, prizes, a bounce house and City of Oconto Parks/Recreation displays. The Bond Foundation is a proud sponsor of this event and looks forward to many years of partnership with the City of Oconto Police Department.

Alek Ertman is the 2017 recipient of the $4,000 Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Scholarship. Alek is the son of Amy Sunderlage and Dan Ertman. He plans to attend Michigan Technological University to study computer or electrical engineering with a focus on biomedical applications.

Madalynn Meyer is the 2017 recipient of the $2,000 Earl J. DeCloux Memorial Scholarship. Madalynn is the daughter of Tina Meyer and Brian Meyer. She plans to attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to study diagnostic medical sonography.

The Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Scholarship and the Earl J. DeCloux Memorial Scholarship are awarded to graduating seniors from Oconto High School, who demonstrate leadership ability, a high academic record and service as evidence by school and community. They must plan to enroll in a course of study in a public or private college. Preference may be given to a student majoring in the health or recreation field.

On May 5, 2017, the Bond Foundation awarded the Lena Public School District a $60,000 grant. The Lena Public School District is located in Oconto County and serves approximately 415 students. The school district prides itself on providing a feeling of family and togetherness and places an emphasis on being an integral part of the community.

The grant was used to construct a new outdoor bathroom facility located adjacent to the track, baseball, softball and football field. Prior to receiving the grant funds, Lena used two portable units. These units were inconvenient and were simply an eye-sore. The closest indoor facility is located a distance away and created an issue of opening the school and leaving it unsupervised during sporting events. The new outdoor facility has been a wonderful addition to the current outdoor sports complex and serves the needs of students, staff and community members of all ages.

On September 20, 2016, the Bond Foundation awarded the Oconto Unified School District a $9,803.09 grant.

The Oconto Unified School District (OUSD) is a public school located in the city of Oconto. There are four schools within the district that serve over 1,000 students in grades 4K through 12. The schools include Oconto Elementary School, Bayshore Community Academy, Oconto Middle School and Oconto High School.

A portion of the grant funds were used to purchase science supplies for the Bayshore Academy (BCA). BCA was established in 2013 and serves students in grades 5th through 8th. While attending BCA, students engage in projects focused on science and social studies. Since its establishment the Bond Foundation has provided a yearly grant to purchase specialized science equipment to outfit the BCA science lab. This funding has allowed BCA students to explore science through hands on learning and develop many problem solving skills.

The remainder of the grant funds were used to purchase uniforms for the Oconto Middle School boys and girls basketball programs. The old uniforms were extremely old and worn. The new uniforms are of a much higher quality and will provide many years of play.

As with most public schools, funding is a big concern for the OUSD. Federal and State budget cuts have largely effected most districts. The Bond Foundation is proud to support the educational efforts of the OUSD by providing funding for programs and equipment that would not otherwise be possible.