Iron River Senior Citizen Center
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a Grant in the amount of $1,500 to the Iron River Senior Citizen Center to help support the purchase of a new AED machine for the center. Over 4,000 people per year use the Senior Citizen Center facility for various community activities and events. The Golden K also donated $300 towards the purchase of the new AED.
Pictured at the check presentation are Chris Kent, IAHF board President, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Mike Aschinger, Senior Center Volunteer, Tanya Stebbins, Senior Center Site Council President and Dawn Pisoni, Senior Center Council Secretary/Treasurer. Representing the Golden K and presenting their check to the Center are Brian Kassa, Terry Spitza and Dave Koski. The IAHF and Goldent K are very pleased to support the purchase of this potentially life saving device for the Iron River Senior Citizen Center.
Guardian Angels - St Vincent Depaul Food Pantry
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a Grant in the amount of $1,500 to the Guardian Angels-St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. The Grant money will be used to support Holiday Food Baskets for needy families. The IAHF is very pleased to support this project that will enable needy families to have a nutritional, enjoyable, stress free holiday season.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Teresa Flood, Guardian Angels-St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry President, Faith Peterson, Guardian Angels-St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry Secretary and Kristine Rivard, IAHF Board Member.
Kinship of Iron County
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a Grant in the amount of $500 to Kinship of Iron County. The Grant money will be used to support a Sourdough Workshop for Kinship families of Iron County. The workshop will enable Kinship families an opportunity to learn cost effective cooking of healthy food that will enhance overall health, wellbeing and self efficiency. The IAHF is very pleased to support this health and wellbeing workshop for Iron County residents.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Zach Hautala, IAHF board member, Chris Kent, IAHF board President, Carly Ekberg, Kinship of Iron County Program Director and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.
Dickinson - Iron Communities That Care Program
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a Grant in the amount of $2,500 to the Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care Program. The Grant money will be used to support the "Prevention Education for Youth" curriculum, workbooks and teaching supplies for the West Iron County and Forest Park students in grades 4-8. The Prevention Education for Youth curriculum addresses the risks of vaping, drinking and other risky behaviors. The IAHF is very pleased to support this educational program for our local youth.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Kurt Anderson, IAHF board member, Kristine Rivard, IAHF board member, Ben Ryan, Dickinson-Iron CTC Preventive Services, Barb Waara, IAHF board member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.
Forest Park Therapeutic Multi-Sensory Room
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $8,000 to the Forest Park Therapeutic Multi-Sensory Room. The Grant money will be used to support the purchase of equipment for the room that will be used to support the sensory, emotional and social needs of elementary students during the school day. The IAHF is very pleased to support the purchase of this much needed specialized equipment to help create an environment that the students can have a successful school day.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Kurt Anderson, IAHF Board Member, Jessica Perry, IAHF Board Member, Kristin Williams, DIISD Occupational Therapy Assistant, Barb Waara, IAHF Board Member, Kristine Rivard, IAHF Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.
West Iron County School District
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $3,400 to the West Iron County School District to help purchase 3 new AED machines for the district. The district has nearly 800 students and 100 staff members in the buildings on a daily basis in addition to the hundreds of individuals attending after school events. The IAHF is very pleased to help support the purchase of these new potentially life saving devices for the school district.
Pictured at the grant check presentation are Kevin Schmutzler, WIC School District Superintendent, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Tess Newby, WIC School Nurse, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director and J.B. Allen, WIC School resource Officer.
Iron County Volleyball
On October 21 the two Iron County Volleyball Teams concluded their "Pink Out" matches for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Between the JV and Varsity matches the Iron Area Health Foundation made a donation to the Iron County Cancer Unit in the amount of $2,500 on behalf of the West Iron County and Forest Park Volleyball Teams and their "Pink Out" for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Top: IAHF makes the check presentation to Linda Colombino, Iron County Cancer Unit. Zach Hautala, IAHF board member, Kurt Anderson, IAHF board member, Alicia Benson, IAHF board member, Linda Colombino, Iron County Cancer Unit, Chris Kent, IAHF board President, Barb Waara, IAHF board member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.
Bottom: Forest Park and West Iron County Volleyball Teams
U.P. Foster Closet of Iron County
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $1,500 to the U.P. Foster Closet of Iron County. The Grant money will be used to support the purchase of clothing, hygiene products and supplies, school supplies and shoes for Iron County youth ages birth-17 years who are in Foster Care. This support helps guarantee that the youth have the needed supplies to promote their health and wellbeing during a very difficult time. The IAHF is very pleased to support the Foster Closet of Iron County in providing these essential items.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Rachel Gramann, Foster Closet of Iron County President and Chris Kent, IAHF Board President.
Friends of the Crystal Falls District Community Library
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Mini Grant in the amount of $500 to the Friends of the Crystal Falls District Community Library. The Mini Grant monies will be used to support the "Story Hour for Children" program for the 2025-2026 year to provide healthy juices and snacks for the children attending the "Story Hour". The IAHF is very pleased to be able to support this program for our local youth with healthy nourishment while attending the event.
Pictured at the Mini Grant check presentation are: Mary Ann Keil, Friends of the Library Member at Large, Maureen Elson, Friends of the Library Committee Member, Janet Wagner, Friends of the Library Committee President, Kurt Anderson, IAHF Board Member, Kristine Rivard, IAHF Board Member, Barb Waara, IAHF Board Member, Evelyn Gathu, Crystal Falls District Librarian, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director and Peggy Padilla, Friends of the Library Committee Secretary.
Life Tracker of Iron County
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Mini Grant in the amount of $500 to the "Life Tracker of Iron County" project that is being coordinated by the Iron County Authority on Aging to help support the purchase of new electronic tracking devices. The new electronic tracking devices will allow the Iron County Sheriff's Department and search and Rescue Team to electronically locate individuals who have become lost at no cost to the families.
Pictured at the Mini Grant check presentation are Helen Hord, Iron County Authority on Aging Committee Secretary, Ryan Boehmke, Iron County Sheriff, Georgi Tomasoski, Iron County Authority on Aging Committee Chairperson, Jeremy Hauswirth, Michigan State Police, Mark Stauber,Iron County Board Chairman, Jessica Perry, IAHF Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director. The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to support this potentially life saving project for the residents of Iron County.
Forest Park Schools
It was an honor for the Iron Area health Foundation to present scholarships to 3 Forest Park graduating seniors at the Forest Park Scholarship Program on May 19. The scholarships are for $500 each and are awarded to seniors who are furthering their education in a health related field of study upon graduation from high school.
The 2025 IAHF scholarship recipients from Forest Park are Ellie Ayers who will be attending Bellin College to study Nursing, Skylar VanOss who will be attending Michigan State University to study Human Biology in the Pre-Optometry program and Lilly Post who will be attending Carthage College to study Allied Health Science in the Radiation Therapist program. The IAHF wishes the graduates continued success and happiness in all of their future endeavors.
Iron County Little League Association
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000 to the Iron County Little League Association. The grant money will be used to purchase a new batting cage for the Little League program. The Iron County Little League Association is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers that coordinates a youth baseball program for 135 local youth. The local association is made up of 11 teams representing the Iron County area. The IAHF is very pleased to support the Iron County Little League Association with the purchase of a new batting cage which will enable local youth to participate in a healthy outdoor activity.
Pictured at the grant check presentation are Garth Soderberg, IC Little League Vice President, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Alisa Porier, IC Little League President, Susan Fritz, IC Little League Secretary, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President and Andy Cronkright, IC Little League Board Member and Coach.
Grace Covenant Church
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a Grant in the amount of $2,000 to the Grace Covenant Church to purchase a new AED machine for the church. The Grace Covenant Church has 200+ members who utilize the church for services. In addition to the parishioners the church is also utilized by the West Iron County Schools, the Mission Bible Training Center and numerous other community organizations. The new AED machine will allow the church to be able to provide potential life saving care to individuals at the church if necessary.
Pictured at the Grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Reverend Michael Poindexter, Church Pastor, Erika Sauter, Vice Chairperson of the Church Council and Kathy Campain, Church Council Member. The IAHF is very pleased to support the Grace Covenant Church with the purchase of a new AED machine that will enable the church to provide life saving assistance if needed.
West Iron County Schools
On Wednesday May 7, 2025 the Iron Area Health Foundation had the privilege of awarding scholarships to 6 West Iron County Seniors who are furthering their education in a health related field of study upon graduation.
Receiving IAHF scholarships were Jackson Strom who is planning to attend the University of Michigan to study Biology, Sidney Storti who is planning to attend Northern Michigan University to study Veterinary Medicine, Kaitlyn Smith who is planning to attend Northern Michigan University to study Pre-Medicine, Eiley Meske who is planning to attend Michigan Technological University to study Human Biology/Pre-Medicine, Gracyn Melstrom who is planning to attend Bellin College to study Nursing, and Sierra Hooper who is planning to attend Northwest Wisconsin Technical College to study Nursing. The IAHF is very pleased to be able to present these academic scholarships to these very deserving students to help them continue their education.
Iron Area Health Foundation Student Leadership Teams
On Wednesday April 30 the Iron Area Health Foundation Student Leadership Teams from West Iron County and Forest Park held their last meeting of the school year. The Teams reviewed their successes from the 2024-2025 school year and discussed focus and goals for the 2025-2026 school year. Also at the conclusion of the meeting on Wednesday the 5 senior members of the Student Leadership Teams were recognized and thanked for their many contributions and leadership as members of the teams in working to enhance safety and health initiatives within their respective school districts.
Pictured with a gift of appreciation from the IAHF Board members are Eiley Meske, Dalaney Wagner, Lilly Post and Bradly Jochem. Missing from the photo (attending a tennis match) was Keenan Dobson Donati.
Iron Area Hockey Association
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $2,500 to the Iron Area Hockey Association. The grant money will be used to support the purchase of new skates and helmets for the :"Learn to Skate" program. The Iron Area Hockey Association is a self funded nonprofit organization who oversees and organizes the "Learn to Skate" program for local youth, adult open hockey night, youth hockey teams at various levels and summer roller hockey. The open skate program serves between 100-150 skaters on a regular basis. The IAHF is very pleased to support the Iron Area Hockey Association with the purchase of new skates and helmets for the "Learn to Skate" program which will enable youth of our area to participate in the program for no cost.
Pictured at the grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Jill Sabotta, IAHF Board Member, Kaycee Johnson, IAHA Board President, Stephanie Swenski, IAHA Board Secretary, Courtney Franz, IAHA Association Member and Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member.
Windsor Center Summer Recreation Program
The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Mini Grant in the amount of $322 to the Windsor Center Summer Recreation Program to help support a "Youth Fishing Camp". The "Fishing Camp" was conducted over a 2 day period (June 26-27) and involved fishing instruction, lunch, and hands on fishing at multiple locations, a new fishing rod and tackle box for each youth participant. Twenty-one 3rd through 5th grade students participated in the two day camp.
Joel VanLanen, retired West Iron County Science teacher was the instructor for the camp, assisted by eight other local adult volunteers. The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to help support this healthy, outdoor, lifelong instructional activity program for our local youth.
Special Needs are Awesome People (SNAAP)
The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000 to the Special Needs are Awesome People (SNAAP) organization. The grant monies will be used to support the transportation and attendance at a Green Bay Packers Training Camp practice for 20 of the SNAAP members. SNAAP is a self funded nonprofit organization dedicated to the enhancement of the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of adults with mental and/or physical disabilities.
Pictured at the grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Brian Foskuhl, SNAAP Board Treasurer, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Carol Foskuhl, SNAAP Board President, Jay Petroski, SNAAP Board Member, Tom Stachowicz, SNAAP Board Vice President and Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member. The IAHF is very pleased to support this physical, emotional and social enhancing opportunity for the SNAAP members.
