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Author: Packerland Team

Oconto Area Non-Profit Child Care receives Bond Foundation Grant

Packerland Team

On March 22, 2016, the Oconto Area Non-Profit Child Care was awarded an $11,424 grant from the Bond Foundation.

Established in 1993, the child care center serves children (ages six weeks to 12 years) from communities all over Oconto, Marinette and Brown counties. They currently provide care at two locations and are licensed to have 69 children. With nine staff members, they have over 92 years of teaching and childcare experience. The center is open year round and is the only state licensed group child care within the City of Oconto.

Their program has three main areas of focus: the child, the family and our community. The primary focus is on the child as a whole using developmentally appropriate experiences. All children are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential through self-awareness, confidence and self-worth.

The grant from the Bond Foundation was used to further the programs of Oconto Area Non-Profit Child Care and allow them to continue providing high quality care to the children and families of our community.

Boardwalk along River Trail at Copper Culture State Park

City of Oconto Parks & Recreation Department Grant

Packerland Team

On April 14, 2015, the Bond Foundation awarded the City of Oconto Parks & Recreation Department a $4,000 grant to purchase the materials to build a boardwalk along the scenic River Trail at Copper Culture State Park. The scenic River Trail is a one-mile loop enjoyed by hikers, nature-lovers, and fisherman. A 200 ft. section of the park often interferes with these activities due to its tendency to accumulate water. The construction of the boardwalk ensured users access to trails in the park for jogging, walking their pets and educating their children about nature and the history of the Copper Culture people.

The project was completed by many volunteers and the Oconto Boy Scouts in conjunction with the Oconto Parks and Recreation Department and with the approval of the Wisconsin DNR. Oconto High School student, Graham Welch, was integral to the success of this project and used it to obtain his Eagle Scout status.

 

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Oconto County Historical Society Carriage House Grant

Packerland Team

On December 2, 2014, the Bond Foundation awarded the Oconto County Historical Society (OCHS) a $250,000 grant to assist in the construction of the Carriage House. This project involved the construction of a 6,600 square-foot building as an addition to the George E. Hall Annex. The addition was to serve as home to OCHS’s collection of antique vehicles along with other popular exhibits.

OCHS began restoring vintage vehicles in September of 2012. The first vehicle to be restored was a Studebaker fringe-top surrey. Once the restoration was complete OCHS recognized the need for a place to display their collection of restored antique vehicles that included the necessary climate control and protection from animals. A fund drive began and included many donations, the largest being the $250,000 grant from the Bond Foundation. It was with this grant that OHCS was able to make the dream of building this addition real.

The Carriage House is more than just an exhibit space for restored vehicles. It also includes an ice sleigh used by local Norwegian fisherman, dugout and birch bark canoes believed to have been used by indigenous tribes, a four-foot model ship, an Oconto Brewery display and Stanley Toy Factory display among many others. The building also has a meeting room, warming kitchen, gift shop, restrooms and serves as the reception area for visitors to the Beyer Home museum.

The Bond Foundation is pleased to be able to help the OCHS in maintaining and preserving the history of Oconto.

Oconto County Commission Aging Van

Oconto County Commission on Aging Grant

Packerland Team

On December 2, 2014, the Bond Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to Oconto County Commission on Aging (OCCA) to purchase a van to be used for their food delivery program. OCCA was formed in 1979 to plan programs, initiate community action, and promote available support systems for the well-being and benefit of the elderly population of Oconto County. They provide a home delivery nutrition program, transportation services, and a benefit specialist program. OCCA is also the lead investigator for elder abuse in Oconto County.

The new van will assist OCCA to deliver meals to an average of 130 people per day. This ensures that the elderly population are receiving proper daily nutrition and helps them stretch their limited financial resources. The home delivery nutrition program often means the difference between independence and nursing home care or extended hospital stays because of malnutrition.

The Foundation is proud to support this vital Oconto County Program.

Bond Foundation Donates 1958 Ford to Oconto County Historical Society

Packerland Team

On July 7, 2014, the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation, Inc. donated a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner to the Oconto County Historical Society in loving memory of Mr. Leon H. Bond and Mr. Earl DeCloux.

The car was originally purchased brand new by Mr. Leon H. Bond. When it was introduced in 1958, the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner was the only true hardtop convertible in the world. Today, it has become a valuable collectible car. Mr. Bond adored the car and took meticulous care of it. He could often be seen riding down Main Street with the retractable top down. When his health began to fail he asked his good friend, Earl DeCloux, to care for the car. Earl took great pride in maintaining the Skyliner and even had the car completely restored in 1994 by Larry McGray’s Antique Automotive. When Mr. Bond passed away in March of 2000, the car was left to the Bond Foundation. Over the years Earl continued to care for, maintain and display the car in memory of Mr. Bond until his passing in February 2014.

The Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation hopes to continue the Skyliner’s journey and share it with the community. The Oconto County Historical Society is currently in the process of raising funds to build a Carriage House on the Beyer Home grounds. Once completed, the Carriage House will be the perfect home for the Skyliner to be displayed for all to enjoy.

City of Oconto Bond Park Grant

Packerland Team

On August 19, 2013, the Bond Foundation awarded the City of Oconto a $30,000 grant for the creation of Bond Park. The park borders the Oconto River on Charles Street directly across from the old Bond Pickle site.

It provides a recreation place for children up to age 12, a pleasant place to picnic with family and friends as well as a place for walkers and bikers on the adjacent city trail to rest.

The park also offers a beautiful view of the Oconto River for all to enjoy. The Bond Foundation is pleased to provide this space for all residents and visitors of the City of Oconto.

City of Oconto Fish Cleaning Station

City of Oconto Fish Cleaning Station Grant

Packerland Team

On April 26, 2011 the Bond Foundation awarded the City of Oconto a grant in the amount of $18,000. This grant provided the funds to build a fish cleaning station at the overflow parking area of the Break Water. This station consists of a shelter that houses a stainless steel table and associated equipment necessary for the cleaning and disposal of fish remains.

The station has proven to be a tremendous attraction for not only the citizens of Oconto, but for fishermen who come from all over to fish on the Bay of Green Bay. It has been a valuable asset to the city of Oconto, especially during the many fishing tournaments held at the Break Water.

R.J. Delain

Packerland Team

R.J. has worked in the automotive industry and property management for the last twenty years. Since 2006 he has served as the Vice President of Delwin Properties. R.J. met Earl De Cloux in 2004 when Earl purchased a property that R.J. managed. They developed a very close friendship over the years and R.J. assisted Earl in many business ventures. He has served on the Bond Foundation board since 2012. It is extremely important to R.J. to continue the work Earl started helping Oconto County and surrounding area.

Mary McMonagle

Packerland Team

President/Treasurer

Mary was born and raised in Oconto, WI and is the daughter of the late Judge John Wiebusch and his wife Mary. After graduating from UW-Stevens Point she spent many years investigating cases of child abuse and working with vulnerable children and families. She later became a private investigator and started Investigation Consultants LLC.

In 2009, Mary was hired as a grant writer for the Bond Foundation’s sister charity Adults Helping Children Today – Ukraine (ACT-Ukraine) and was later elected to the board of ACT-Ukraine. Following the death of Earl DeCloux Mary was elected to the Bond Foundation board of directors as President and Treasurer. Mary works closely with Executive Director, Jenni Hanna, overseeing the day to day operations of the Foundation and ensuring it stays true to the mission to assist the residents of Oconto County and the surrounding area.