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Bond Foundation awards Neville Public Museum Foundation a $10,000 Grant

The Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation awarded the Neville Public Museum Foundation a $10,000 grant on May 5, 2017. The grant money was for the exhibit Estamos Aqui: Celebrating Latino Identity in Northeast Wisconsin. This exhibit connected the residents of Northeastern Wisconsin with the emerging and diverse Latino communities that have settled into the region. The exhibition was developed collaboratively with a committee of engaged Latinos and museum staff members and educated audiences about the contributions, diversity, and growth of the Latino population.

The exhibit included a replica of the Saldana family home. The Saldana family were Latino migrants that worked at the Bond Pickle Company in Oconto, Wisconsin. The Neville Museum hopes the exhibit will help build cultural bridges in the region by more widely telling the Latino story and publicizing the contributions of the population.

 


Oconto County Sheriff’s Department Awarded $30,000 Grant

With the help of the community, the Oconto County Law Enforcement Executive Group (OCLEEG) was able to make the job of law enforcement in the county a little bit safer. OCLEEG sought help from the community to purchase bullet resistant gear to protect our law enforcement officers in the event they must face a suspect with a rifle. OCLEEG represents all the law enforcement agencies in Oconto County.

Oconto County Law Enforcement agencies have been training and exercising together to respond to and control active threats such as active shooter. Our law enforcement officers were not equipped with the ballistic protective gear necessary to counter the dangerous threats presented by an active shooter. Because the law enforcement officers in Oconto County did not have the financial resources to purchase this equipment, they sought assistance to purchase vests and helmets to provide protection to officers when they are called to respond to armed encounters.

The goal was to equip every officer in Oconto County with a rifle rated vest and a helmet. OCLEEG purchased this equipment for the deputies and officers at approximately $1000 for each officer.

Fifty vests and helmets were purchased with 28 going to the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, 9 to Oconto PD, 7 to Oconto Falls PD, 4 to Gillett PD, 2 to Lena PD, and 1 to Suring PD.

The Bond Foundation contributed $30,000 to this project.

St. Anthony School Receives Grant

On April 17, 2018, St. Anthony School was awarded a $3,400 grant from the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation. St. Anthony School is a small Catholic School in Oconto Falls, WI. Since 1913, St. Anthony has been offering quality, Catholic education to families in the Oconto County area. They are presently the last remaining Catholic School in Oconto County, and so remain an intricate part of the community.

The grant funds helped purchase school uniforms for the 2018/2019 school year. This benefitted everyone, including students, parents and staff. Studies and experience show uniforms encourage better classroom behavior, improve overall school demeanor, and instruct students in how to dress appropriately in public. Most of all, they instill in the children that their person is not shaped by the latest fashion trends, but rather their character.

Nurse’s Nook Receives $30,000 Grant from Bond Foundation

HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation, Inc., has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Nurse’s Nook program.

Nurse’s Nook is a program that provides aid to children in need in the Gillett, Suring and Oconto Falls school districts. Aid provided includes basic needs items, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, winter clothing and boots, medical supplies/devices and vouchers for transportation to medical appointments. These items are kept stocked within each of the school districts throughout the year and given to students free-of-charge on an as-needed basis. School nurses, guidance counselors and secretaries work as a team to identify the students in need.

The Bond Foundation grant will allow the Nurse’s Nook program to expand into the Lena and Oconto school districts in the 2018-2019 school year, and will allow for the purchase of more supplies to be provided to children in need.

Nurse’s Nook informally began in 2014 when Nuala Nowicki, a Prevea Health school nurse for the Gillett School District recognized that poverty in the region was negatively impacting students’ abilities to learn and succeed in school. She expanded the program to the Suring School District in 2015. In 2017, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital joined Nuala in her efforts and assisted in expanding Nurse’s Nook to the Oconto Falls school district. Today, Nurse’s Nook operates as a collaborative effort between HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, Prevea Health, Nuala, local school districts and countless volunteers and donors who dedicate time and effort to collecting supplies, operating the program and helping children in need.

“We are immensely grateful to the Bond Foundation for this generous donation, which will greatly enhance our abilities to serve more children throughout Oconto County,” says Nuala. “It is our mission with Nurse’s Nook to provide local youth increased opportunities to learn and succeed in school, and become healthy, contributing members of the community.”

The Nurse’s Nook program relies solely on support and donations from the community to operate. Anyone who would like to learn more information or donate to Nurse’s Nook should contact Nuala Nowicki at thenursesnook@gmail.com or (920) 272-3415.

Kingdom Come, Inc. Awarded a $25,000 Grant

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.

Bond Foundation Presents Grant to Abrams Theater

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.

National Night Out 2017

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.

2017 Scholarship Recipients

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.

Madalynn Meyer and Bond Foundation Vice-President, John Bostedt

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.

Lena Public School District Receives $60,000 Grant

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.

Oconto Unified School Grant

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.

Oconto Girls’ 8th Grade Basketball