Starr News Spring 2015

NEWS

Vol. 72 • No. 2

Spring 2015

Starr’s New President Elizabeth Carey Halderman Farm Management A Partner for Many Years A Legacy by Design Camp Ready Readers Summer Learning Loss

Starr News

starr commonwealth leadership Officers

Board of Trustees

Elizabeth A. Carey, MSW President Chief Executive Officer

Honorable John Hallacy, Chair District Court Judge 10th District Court Battle Creek, MI

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. Immediate Past President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher L. Smith, BBA., CPA Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Wm. Chuck Jackson, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Chief Clinical Officer Gary Q. Tester, MRC Executive Vice President Chief Development Officer

Craig Carrel, Vice Chair President and Partner Team 1 Plastics Albion, MI Lawrence Givens, Secretary Blackmond and Givens, Inc. Southfield, MI Kyle Caldwell, Immediate Past Chair Program Director Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Flint, MI Stanley Allen Configuration Engineering Wells Fargo & Company Des Moines, IA Scott Bennett Vice President UBS Financial Services Birmingham, MI Doug Clark Executive Director, Donor Development Cru International Mill Creek, WA

Laura Koziarski Child Advocate Battle Creek, MI Jack Kresnak Journalist / Child Advocate Livonia, MI

Michael J. Gable Human Resources Executive (Retired) Orlans Associates, PC Troy, MI

Arlin E. Ness President Emeritus Anthem, AZ

Dr. Russell G. Mawby Chairman Emeritus W.K. Kellogg Foundation Battle Creek, MI

Randy Neumann Vice President J.F. Daley, Inc. San Antonio, TX

Honorable Eugene A. Moore Chief Probate Judge (Retired) Oakland County Pontiac, MI

Mary E. Rutan Human Resources Director (Retired) Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

William K. Stoffer Chairman and CEO Albion Machine & Tool Co. Albion, MI

Erick Stewart President Stewart Industries LLC Battle Creek, MI

Honorary Trustees

Bruce Vande Vusse Attorney Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Farmington Hills, MI

Tom Kolassa Senior Vice President Hub International Battle Creek, MI

President Emeritus

George D. Goodman Executive Director (Retired) Michigan Municipal League Ann Arbor, MI

Kenneth Miller Chief Executive Officer Principal Partner Millennium Restaurant Group Kalamazoo, MI

George A. Goodman Ypsilanti, MI

Trustees Emeritus

Anne Willson Dupré Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Toronto, Canada Diana Starr Langley Montecito, CA Sylvia Starr Richey Granddaughter of Floyd Starr Seal Beach, CA

Starr is dedicated to the mission of creating positive environments where children and families flourish.

Starr News Spring 2015 Volume 72 • No. 2 Starr Commonwealth is a nonprofit organization serving children and families regardless of race, religion, color or national origin.

Starr Commonwealth is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

Founded in 1913, Starr is licensed by the state of Michigan.

The Albion campus is a Michigan Historic Site.

Starr Commonwealth receives funds from social agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals.

13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, MI 49224-9525 800.837.5591 info@starr.org

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Table of Contents President’s Letter New President Donor Spotlight

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8

Camp Ready Readers

11

A Legacy by Design

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Spring 2015

president’s letter

A

Thank you

s we welcome Starr’s new President and

CEO, Elizabeth Carey, Starr Commonwealth is experiencing an exciting phase of its 102-year history.

As announced in May, Elizabeth was appointed by Starr’s Board of Trustees following a national search for my successor. All of us at Starr are thrilled by the board’s decision, which reflects not only Elizabeth’s excellent service in the last five years as Starr’s Chief Strategy Officer, but also her extensive experience in state and national level advocacy for children and families.

On June 1st Elizabeth took full responsibility for Starr’s day-to-day operations while I transitioned to serving in an advisory capacity. I will continue to support and advise Starr until my full retirement in January 2016.

With Starr’s new President and CEO in place, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has been part of my 45 years at this remarkable organization.

The opportunity to serve Starr throughout the years has given my family and I far more than we could ever give back. My wife, Shirlee, and I have truly enjoyed working closely with so many people who are equally dedicated to Starr’s mission of creating positive environments where children can flourish.

In my time at Starr, I have seen the organization transform from an agency with residential campuses in Michigan and Ohio, to an international organization with services that provide training for professionals, behavioral health for children and families, education and community based youth

development services. We are also a provider of life-changing racial healing experiences, and one of the country’s most respected advocates for children and families.

This development and growth of Starr’s impact has been made possible by the support of our generous and engaged donors. It has been made a reality by our dedicated, caring and professional staff. It has been made necessary by the needs of children and families across the world.

We often say at Starr that we hope one day to be put out of business because the social, emotional and developmental needs of everyone in our communities have been met. Sadly, these needs are growing and becoming more complex, and the ways in which people need to be served are also changing.

However, Starr is responding as strongly as ever.

With the same strength-based philosophy established by Floyd Starr in 1913, this organization is helping to unleash the potential of thousands of people each year.

This important social impact can now continue to expand under the leadership of Elizabeth Carey, someone who cares deeply about the values that have shaped Starr’s work for over a century.

I hope you will join me in welcoming and supporting Elizabeth as she leads Starr through many more years of transforming lives and communities for the better.

Martin L. Mitchell, Ed.D. 3

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Elizabeth Carey

NEWS

Starr’s fifth president in 102 years

“When we have faith that children will flourish, and we give them the opportunities, they can and they do!”

W

h en Starr’s Board of Trustees voted to appoint Elizabeth Carey as the successor to Dr. Martin Mitchell, Carey gave a speech that moved some trustees to tears.

“We believe in the greatness of every child,” she said.

“We believe that every child deserves a chance, deserves support, deserves healing. We believe that every child deserves a family, deserves a quality education, and deserves a fulfilling life. We believe that every family has greatness, has resilience, and has worth.”

Having served Starr for five years as Chief Strategy Officer, Carey has a deep understanding of Starr’s core values, its history and the philosophy that has shaped its services for children and families since 1913.

“We believe it is our responsibility to ensure all children, especially those with trouble, with pain, get the support 5

they need to flourish. All peo-

continue to meet the needs of

ple, including those who have

children and families, always

illness, dysfunction, loss and

seeing their strengths before

limitations, have greatness.

their challenges and believing

All deserve our support to be

in their potential.”

resilient.”

Commenting on her appoint-

The search for a new Presi-

ment as President and CEO,

dent and CEO began when

Carey said: “To be given the

Dr. Mitchell announced his

opportunity to lead Starr

plans for retirement in Janu-

Commonwealth is truly an

ary after 45 years of service

honor. With 102 years’ expe-

at Starr. Dozens of candidates

rience of serving children and

from across the country were

families, underpinned by a

considered before Carey was

belief in their strengths and

selected as the strongest suc-

Martin Mitchell and Elizabeth Carey.

cessor.

Announcing the appointment of Carey, Hon. John Hallacy, Chair of Starr’s Board of Trustees, said: “In planning for Dr. Mitchell’s retirement, our board of trustees conducted a rigorous search for an appropriate successor. Having considered a strong field of candidates, we are confident that Elizabeth Carey is the right person to lead Starr into its second century of creating environments where children and

opportunities ahead of us. Our

“What happens when we believe?

What happens when we provide?”

“Pain turns to peace.

Disruption turns to progress.

Lonliness turns to belonging.”

families flourish.”

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resilience, we have significant staff are positively impacting on thousands of children and families each day, with the goal of unleashing their full potential, regardless of their challenges. I am proud to be leading such a talented group of professionals.”

Retiring President and CEO, Dr. Martin Mitchell, said: “Having had the pleasure of working directly with Elizabeth for the last five years, I know she will be a passionate, dedicated and successful Pres-

Hallacy added: “Elizabeth brings an

mental in the strategic development

ident and CEO of Starr Common-

extensive track record of success-

of Starr in recent years. Our board

wealth for many years to come.

ful leadership within the human

of trustees looks forward to work-

Elizabeth has already served Starr

service field and has been instru-

ing with Elizabeth on how Starr can

with great success, and will bring

“While the ‘how’ and the ‘what’ of Starr’s mission will continue to evolve, the ‘why’ will not, because it is a fact that there is greatness in every child, and they all deserve to flourish.” the kind of knowledge and energy

munity at large can recognize and

believe? What happens when we

needed to lead the organization

celebrate the incredible things

provide? Pain turns to peace. Dis-

well into its second century. All of

young people are achieving. Starr

ruption turns to progress. Lone-

us at Starr congratulate her on this

is here for all children and families,

liness turns to belonging. Dante

fantastic achievement!”

regardless of whether they use our

learns to read. Mikala finds a

services, and we intend to stand

forever family. Andre and his mom

up for what they need in order to

show love. Jon graduates.”

Before joining Starr, Carey served as Chief Operations Officer at the Alliance for Strong Families and

flourish.”

Carey took full responsibility in

Communities, a national advocacy

“Too many kids are not loved, not

the role as President and Chief Ex-

organization representing over 500

supported, not safe, not learning,

ecutive on June 1, 2015. Dr. Martin

human service agencies. Having

not living. They are dying and

Mitchell continues to serve Starr

trained and practiced as a social

dropping out and going to prison.

in an advisory capacity until his

worker, Carey has also held posi-

But they don’t have to. They were

retirement in January 2016.

tions as Executive Director of the

not born for these things to hap-

Michigan Federation for Children

pen to them. How do we provide

and Families and Director of Gov-

the support they need? Through

ernment Relations for the Council

a stable family, a quality school,

on Accreditation (COA).

a teacher, a counselor, a caring

Looking to the future, Carey said: “We have always been an advocate

professional, or through a mentor,” she said.

Emphasizing Dr. Mitchell’s inspirational role in standing up for the core values established by Founder Floyd Starr, Carey added: “I am very fortunate to have spent more than five years admiring Dr. Mitchell’s passionate advocacy for Starr’s

for focusing on the strengths of

“First however, we need to believe

mission, his belief in the strengths

young people, but we want to go

that we can be a part of changing

of children and families. I will con-

further and make sure the com-

their lives. What happens when we

tinue that legacy.”

“Starr is here for all children and families, regardless of whether they use our services, and we intend to stand up for what they need in order to flourish.”

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Halderman Farm Management a parTner for generations

Halderman Farm Management staff in 1940. Left to right: Whitey Thompson, Howard H. Halderman, Harry Halderman and Don Cross .

I

n the first half of the 20th century, an enterprising

From one client on a family farm to managing more than

man seized the opportunity to positively impact the

650 farms today, Halderman’s business has grown along-

communities in and around where he lived. He rel-

side Starr’s, with both organizations playing a significant

ished the chance to help people, and today his legacy lives on through the work done by the organization he created.

Seated in a conference room at the Halderman Compa-

This is not the story of Floyd Starr, although it sounds

nies’ headquarters in Wabash, Howard Halderman, the

strikingly similar to the path taken by Starr Common-

grandson of founder Howard, gushes about the relation-

wealth’s founder.

ship between Halderman Companies and Starr.

The entrepreneurial man depicted here is Howard Hal-

To his right is Bill Earle, who served as a farm manager at

derman, the founder of Halderman Farm Management Service, Inc. Along with his wife, Marie, Howard founded his business in 1930 to help farmers around his hometown of Wabash, Indiana, best manage their farm assets.

8

role in the success of the other.

Halderman for more than 30 years and currently operates as a real estate associate. Earle worked with Starr for three decades and has developed a deep connection to the organization and its staff members.

Howard H. Halderman with cane, Howard’s son Robert Halderman, and Art Haist viewing their cattle and pigs.

The walls of the conference room are

we’ve had the privilege to serve. But

farm management, which includes

lined with photographs, from black-

80 percent of our business is still

a broad range of services like farm

and-white pictures of the company’s founder and its first employees to current shots of Halderman staff

family farms.”

inspection, recommendations re-

Growing up on the Halderman family

crop rotations, the development of

members.

farm, Howard has been invested in

Howard, 48, is the CEO, leading the

He began working at the company

organization his grandfather founded and his father later led, continuing the family’s legacy of service to farmland owners in their hometown and across the country. While the organization has grown significantly, family farms still make up the bulk of the company’s business.

“Starr has been a great partner for us for many years,” Howard says. “We’ve worked with a number of nonprofits over the years, which have all been part of a diverse set of organizations

the business since he was a child. during the summers while attending Purdue University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics. Upon graduation, he formally joined the business on a full-time basis, and in 1996 Howard

garding leases, determining optimum soil testing programs and more.

In 1990, as the company delved more into the appraisal and sale of farms, Halderman Real Estate Services, Inc., was founded. Howard and Bill are licensed real estate brokers, as are several other staff members, and this aspect of the business has been

became an accredited farm manager.

growing rapidly.

“I really enjoy the family atmosphere

The newest addition to the cadre of

we’ve cultivated here,” Howard says.

“There’s a tremendous amount of flexibility in this job, and I get to do

services at Halderman is Halderman Real Asset Management, LLC. HRAM presently works with three

something different every day.”

clients who employ Halderman to

Halderman Companies is rooted in

to diversify their assets.

build a farmland portfolio in an effort

“Starr has been a great partner for many years.”

Howard Halderman, CEO, Halderman Farm Managemen Service, Inc. 9

Like at Starr, the environment in

Halderman to begin managing the

Along with the continuity of Halder-

which Halderman Companies oper-

farms. Halderman quickly converted

man Companies and Earle, Starr has

the farms to tenant-operated entities,

worked with families as long-term

generating income for Starr while

tenants for its farms, including one

providing area farmers access to lease

family that has farmed Starr’s land for

Starr’s land.

nearly 70 years.

Several farm managers have worked

“Starr has shifted its focus on the

with Starr over the years, including

farms from using them as a part of

Clyde Maye, Art Haist, Olan Forker,

the school operation to them becom-

Ralph Neihouse, Bill Earle and most

ing ancillary to the school,” Howard

recently Tom Bosserd. Earle was the

said. “We then began looking at the

longest-tenured manager for Starr,

farms as an asset, really focusing on

serving the organization for more

how to best maximize this asset.”

ates is constantly changing, making it difficult to predict what the future may look like.

“I don’t know exactly what the future holds,” Howard says. “I think we’ve done a good job of positioning ourselves. The average tenure of a Halderman employee is 20 years, so we’ve hired lots of great people to represent us and hopefully those strong relationships with our clients will continue. Word-of-mouth and reputation are everything in this

than 30 years and working closely with Starr’s chief financial officer,

business, and we’ve built a strong

Chris Smith, for most of that time.

brand in that respect.”

“In terms of management of our farms, the level of care and concern that Bill has brought to this is as close as an owner would have,” Smith said.

“Bill looks at this as if he owns the farm and as if the money is coming out of his pocket. He takes whatever the issue is, no matter how minor,

Separated by 145 miles of quintessential Midwestern small towns and farmland, Albion and Wabash have been linked through Starr and Halderman Companies for more than seven decades.

As farming was a significant part of

and he addresses it.”

The decision was made, after the careful consideration of Starr leadership and Halderman representatives, to sell most of the farmland near Albion — a total of 1,848 acres — and a 135-acre farm in Van Wert, Ohio.

The sales took place via auction in February 2014 and were very successful, generating more than $11 million for Starr.

Today Starr owns roughly 500 acres near Albion, which is still managed

Starr’s programs, used to provide

by Halderman and farmed by one of

food and work opportunities for students on the Albion campus, Floyd

the organization’s long-term tenants.

Starr’s involvement with Halderman

“Our hope is to continue our rela-

grew in the decades after the initial

tionship with Starr and to continue

relationship began in 1944.

managing the farms,” Howard said.

“It’s been a great relationship for a

With Floyd Starr looking to use his

long time and an important relation-

farmland as an asset, as the number

ship for both sides. We’re very grate-

of boys served on the Albion campus grew and farming became less integral to the program, he asked

Halderman Farm Management staff with Starr leadership today.

ful to have such a good longstanding partner like Starr.”

“It’s been a great relationship for a long time and an important relationship for both sides. We’re very grateful to have such a good longstanding partner like Starr.”

10

Celebrating a legacy by design The odds of Starr finding a winning

Massey worked closely with Foster on

design from a former student were very

each stage of the process of turning a

small indeed, but when you speak to

conceptual design into a fully finished

Foster it becomes less surprising that

bronze sculpture. This included creat-

he won.

ing a maquette (a small scale model)

Describing the thinking behind his design, ‘The Chase’, he said: “I hoped Sculpture designer Brandon Foster.

I

t was as if founder Floyd Starr had written the script himself. Starr launches a design competition for

a sculpture intended to recognize the former Children’s Home of Detroit and its role in the foundation of Starr Detroit Academy.

before creating the molds for the numerous sections of the final sculpture.

to achieve a symbol of knowledge for

“It was an absolute pleasure working

children running and chasing a dream.

with Brandon Foster on this sculpture

It meant the world to me.”

project for Starr Detroit Academy. He

While his design was chosen, there was one challenge – Foster is not an experienced sculptor. Therefore, Starr paired him with one of Michigan’s most respected artists, Hubert Massey, to ensure not only that a high quality

was extremely dedicated toward expanding his art expertise and learning new concepts. I always enjoy working with future artists and always encourage them to do likewise in this journey towards creating Art Excellence.”

piece could be created for Starr Detroit

Having completed his first major com-

Out of several high quality submis-

Academy, but that Foster could learn

mission with Massey, Foster is focused

sions, parents of Academy students un-

from one of the best.

on using his creative skills for the

knowingly vote for a design produced by a former student of Starr’s Detroit program.

Massey has an extensive and impressive

greater good.

track record of creating public works

“I’m done showing the world my

of art, and is particularly respected for

abilities. I will now focus on healing as

“Beauty is a silent teacher”, Floyd Starr

working with members of the commu-

much of the world with art as possible,”

famously said, and he strongly promot-

nity to produce pieces that people can

he said.

ed an interest in the arts with his young

feel a sense of ownership towards.

students. Inspired by this passion, Starr

Foster is now studying illustration at

His works include a large-scale mosaic

the College for Creative Studies in

floor in the Charles Wright Museum of

Detroit, and feels strongly about the

African American History, Detroit, a

role Starr Commonwealth played in his

However, the success of Brandon

number of frescos throughout the city

progress: “Starr has made me a better

Foster, winner of the sculpture design

of Detroit, as well as public installations

person, taking in a foster child, giving

competition, is due to his own passion

in Campus Martius Park and Paradise

him a chance to prove himself – we

and hard work. He has built on his own

Valley Park, both in Detroit.

need more of that!”

“Working with Hubert was an amazing

Find out more about the artist Hubert

experience, he is such good energy,”

Massey at hubertmasseymurals.com.

Commonwealth has integrated the arts into its programming for decades.

inner strengths and resilience to become one of Detroit’s emerging artistic talents.

said Foster.

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camp ready readers

R

eading is an important skill. It helps you under-

to summer learning opportunities. The organization

stand the world around you, allowing you to read

also states that low-income students lose more than two

road signs, text friends and apply for jobs. Reading

months in reading achievement over the summer, while

is a skill, a hobby, and a necessary part of life. Unfortunately, many students in our country do not continue to enhance their reading skills once school is out for the summer.

12

their middle- and high-income peers see slight gains.

That is why Starr Commonwealth is continuing our dedication to helping children through our summertime Camp Ready Readers Program. Serving kids in Battle Creek and

According to the National Summer Learning Association,

Calhoun County, this program will help strengthen read-

more than half of the achievement gap between low- and

ing and writing skills for students in Kindergarten through

high-income students can be explained by unequal access

5th grade. We are aiding students to become Super

Readers through the encouragement

There are three sessions that parents

skills, we can help close the achieve-

and positive influence of our trained

can sign their child up for, each last-

ment gap in Calhoun County and

teachers and paraprofessionals,

ing three weeks – June 22-July 9, July

Battle Creek, preparing these stu-

teaching them how to enjoy reading.

20-August 6, and August 1-Septem-

dents for life beyond high school and

ber 3. Each session can hold 60 kids,

encouraging them to attend college.

That’s not all that the Camp Ready Readers is designed to do, though; it will also give students three weeks in the summer of structured activities,

so Starr will be able to help as many children in the Calhoun County area as possible.

With the support of its friends, Starr has been able to reach its fundraising goal of $10,000 for this program. This

while providing a morning snack and

Students in the Camp Ready Read-

money allows Starr to provide this

a lunch for each child in the program.

ers program will learn a variety of

camp for free to the children in Cal-

Starr wants to provide these students

reading-related skills, including letter

houn County, and will help us keep

with every chance to succeed, and

identification, rhyming, letter sounds

the program going for years to come.

making sure that they are fed and

and more. By teaching these valuable

Without our donors, Starr would

happy is one way to ensure their

never be able to make a difference in

success.

these children’s lives. Thank you to all of our Ready Readers donors.

The best part of this program is that it is completely free for the kids who

If you would like more information

sign up, increasing the number of

on the Camp Ready Readers pro-

students who will be able to attend

gram, please call Maggie Miller at

the camp. All of the funding for this

269-968-9287 ext. 3245.

year’s sessions has been provided by

If you would like to support the

grants, and by donors anxious to help

Camp Ready Readers program, please

a child in need.

visit www.starr.org/donate.

Be a superhero!

Support the Camp Ready Readers Program at starr.org/donate

13

Summer learning loss

S

ummer Learning Loss is a significant problem facing

struggling the most in attaining the academic standards

American Public Schools. Currently, the standard

will participate in a six week summer school program at

school calendar is based on a nine month model,

the Academy.

which was created in response to the agricultural needs of our communities, when 85% of Americans were involved in agriculture. (Harris Cooper, Educational Resource Information Center 2007).

K-8. In addition, Starr has purchased Summer Success Books which provide reading and math activities daily for the duration of the summer and will distribute those to all

According to some studies, students lose about two

students along with summer learning packets and summer

months of grade level equivalency in mathematical com-

reading activities.

putation skills over the summer and low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement (National Summer Learning Association).

For more independent learners entering grades 5-8, Starr will distribute iPads for the summer with the expectation that those students complete a specific amount of Starr’s

At Starr Detroit Academy, similar losses have been seen

online reading and math curriculum weekly. Teachers will

in students as measured by Northwest Evaluation Associ-

monitor this usage and accurate completion of lessons.

ation (NWEA) scores. From spring 2013 to fall 2013 Starr students’ NWEA scores fell an average of 5 points in math and an average of 2 points in reading, with some grade level averages falling as much as 9 points. These losses translate to an average of about 2 to 3 months of learning, lost due to summer vacation.

14

Summer school is offered to all students entering grades

In addition, as Dr. Cooper recommends in the National Summer Learning Association article, “More Than a Hunch: Kids Lose Learning Skills Over the Summer Months,” Starr will provide incentives to students who complete the work provided to them, including admission to local museums, raffle tickets to win IPads, gift cards and

To remedy summer learning loss, Starr Detroit Acade-

credits for the Scholastic Book Fair during the 2015-2016

my is offering a new program to ensure Starr scholars

school year. To help Starr prevent summer learning loss,

stay engaged throughout the summer. Students who are

visit www.starr.org/donate.

Spring 2015

Honor & Memorial gifts In Honor of: ROB BROADWELL Mrs. Eleanor K. Stewart DINAH DURUSSEL Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Benson DR. RUSSELL G. MAWBY Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Brown CHARLES NIELSEN Mrs. Diane Nielsen THE STARR COMMONWEALTH TEAM Mr. Philip Marsalese

In Memory of: ERWIN BECKER Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann WILLIAM MACKIE BLACK, JR. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Brownlow

MONROE COLLINS Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell GRACE DRAKE Mr. Lynn W. Drake KAY DRAVENSTATT Mr. Dale Dravenstatt PATRICIA L. ENDRESS Mr. Richard B. Endress DALE AND DOROTHY GRANGER, SR Miss Diane M. Granger LAMOYNE H. HARD Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell JOSEPH T. HEPP

MABEL S. HUMPHREY Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Koch FRANCIS MARLIN LAIRD Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Neumann DONNA L. LEHMAN Mr. Calvin A. Lehman MARILYN REED Ms. Norma A. Pitts GERLAD D. ROBINSON Mrs. Elfriede Robinson HAROLD AND ARLENE SEIFERT Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mulnix LEROY SNYDER

Dr. and Mrs. Martin L. Mitchell

Mathematica Policy Research

Dr. and Mrs. Arlin E. Ness

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wert

WILLIAM F. HERMANN Mrs. Dorothy Hermann

HONOR GIFTS are thoughtful ways to remember a special person and/or a special occasion, such as a birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, while also helping Starr children. Honor gifts also may be made online at www.starr.org.

MEMORIAL GIFTS offer an enduring tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one, while extending a helping hand to the children of Starr. Memorial donations also may be made online at www.starr.org.

The current gifts reflect the period from 2/1 to 5/4/2015. Donors are listed below the name of the person in whose memory or honor they contributed.

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Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #975 Lansing, MI 13725 Starr Commonwealth Rd. Albion, Michigan 49224 www.starr.org

Duplicate mailing? Call (800) 837-5591 Address service requested

Help Us Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Without support, school children across the country can lose up to three months’ worth of learning over the summer break. At Starr we believe this is an unacceptable set back for our students. Therefore, we have launched a program to provide continued tutoring in reading and math for six weeks over the summer. Your generous donation can help us provide the additional support our students need.

Please donate today.

To give online, visit www.starr.org/donate. For more information, please contact Sherie Veramay, senior major gift officer, at 800.837.5591 or veramays@starr.org.