Alpha 4th of July “Family Park”

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000 to the Alpha 4th of July "Family Park" outdoor volleyball court.  The new outdoor volleyball court will be part of an outdoor recreational area in Alpha that will provide healthy living recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation in Alpha are IAHF board members Kurt Anderson, Chris Kent, Zach Hautala and IAHF Director Lyle Smithson Jr.  Representing the Alpha 4th of July Outdoor Volleyball Court Committee are Elaine Weackler, Shannon Koski, Lori Willman, Chris Davis and Kathy Carlson.  Village of Alpha Board of Trustees Jackie Clancey, Steve Martin and Molly Cameron.  Village of Alpha residents Gene Burge, Karen Martin, Jenny Foster, Kiley Kannich and Lily Vaccaro.  The IAHF is very pleased to support the Alpha Outdoor Volleyball Court project which will provide additional healthy recreational opportunities to the residents of Iron County.

Iron County SAY Soccer Club

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Mini Grant in the amount of $320 to the Iron County SAY Soccer Club to purchase 1st aid kits for the teams and for scholarships.  The 1st aid kits will provide medical safety support for the 230 youth players involved in the Iron County SAY Soccer Club program. 

Pictured at the Mini Grant check presentation are youth soccer players from the U-4, U-8 and U-10 teams along with Jeremy Allen, Iron County Soccer Club President, Carly Ekberg, Iron County Soccer Club Board Member, Chris Kent,IAHF Board President, Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.  The IAHF is very pleased to be able to support the Iron County SAY Soccer Club with 1st aid kits and scholarships so that all interested local youth can have the opportunity to participate and be safe.

The Friends of Camp Gibbs

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $1,530 to The Friends of Camp Gibbs to purchase an AED machine for their grounds and facility.  The new AED will provide health and safety support to the more than 600 individuals who use the facility on an annual basis. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member, Greg Scott, Friends of Camp Gibbs, Vice-President, Aaron Risberg, Friends of Camp Gibbs, Secretary/Treasurer, Dan Kallio, Friends of Camp Gibbs, President, Alicia Benson, IAHF Board Member and Glenn Dobson, IAHF Board Member.  The IAHF is very pleased to support The Friends of Camp Gibbs AED machine which will enhance healthy living and health safety support for the residents of Iron County.

Crystal Falls Firefighters

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,051 to the Crystal Falls Firefighters for a new AED machine for the fire department rescue truck. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member, Denny Mitchell, CF Firefighter, Tom Bucek, CF Fire Department Training Officer, Jessica Perry, IAHF Board Member, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Robert Fabbri, CF Firefighter, Kurt Anderson, IAHF Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.  The IAHF is very pleased to support the CF Fire Department with the purchase of the new rescue truck AED machine in their efforts to continually provide safety and health support to the residents of Iron County.

Iron County Search and Rescue

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,329 to the Iron County Search and Rescue Team to support the purchase of new ice and water rescue equipment (wheeled stokes basket) that will enable the Search and Rescue Team to continue to provide outstanding life, safety and health support to the residents of Iron County. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Alicia Benson, IAHF Board Member, Nicole Purkey, I.C. Search and Rescue Team Secretary, Brad Burke, I.C, Search and Rescue Team 2nd Captain and Chris Kent, IAHF Board President.  The IAHF is very pleased to support the Iron County Search and Rescue Team with equipment to enable them to continue to provide outstanding life and safety services to the residents of Iron County.

Forest Park 7th Grade Overnight Camp

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $3,300 to the Forest Park 7th grade Overnight Camp at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp.  The overnight school camp will focus on developing healthy social connections between students.  The focus will center on enhancing social, mental, emotional healthy lifestyles. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Jessica Perry, IAHF Board Member, Johanna Johnson, FP 7th grade teacher, Taylor Story. FP 7th grade teacher and Kurt Anderson, IAHF Board Member.  The IAHF is very pleased to support the Forest Park 7th grade overnight camp which will focus on enhancing healthy student connections and overall healthy living lifestyles.

West End Players

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $2,500 to the West End Players to purchase new sound equipment and headsets to help sustain and promote the local participation in the Arts for social, physical and emotional health. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member, Elliette Thibodeau, Into the Woods cast member, Jason Mattson, Into the Woods Co-Director, Matthew McPherson, Into the Woods cast member, P. Jane Adams, Into the Woods Co-Director, Catharina Rypstra, Into the Woods cast member,Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.  The IAHF is very pleased to support the West End Players in this very worthwhile healthy living Arts initiative.

Iron Amateur Hockey Association

The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,600 to the Iron Amateur Hockey Association for a new bottle filling station at the Iron County Ice Arena.  The new water filling station will promote hydration and safety for all individuals using the Ice Arena. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member, Stephanie Swenski, IAHA Secretary, Jill Sabotta, IAHF Board Member, Tina Brunswick, IAHA Treasurer, Kaycee Johnson, IAHA President, Courtney Franz, IAHA Fundraising Chairperson, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.  The IAHF is very pleased to support this very worthwhile healthy living initiative.

Dickinson Iron District Health Department Crystal Falls Office

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently provided an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to the Dickinson Iron District Health Department Crystal Falls Office.  The AED machine is used to help individuals who are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.  The Dickinson Iron District Health Department will have an AED machine available at both its Crystal Falls and Iron Mountain offices.  The Iron Area Health Foundation is pleased to help support healthy living initiatives in Iron County.

Pictured with the new AED machine are Tina Edlund, DIDHD Finance Director, Kristina Santilli, DIDHD Office Supervisor, Jessica Perry DIDHD Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Darin Deyaert, DIDHD Health Officer, Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member.

Aspirus Iron River

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Mini Grant in the amount of $500 to Aspirus Iron River for the purchase of gas cards for help with medical transportation costs for homeless patients. 

Pictured at the Mini Grant check presentation are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member, Taylor Taylor, Aspirus Iron River Director of Nursing, Scott Kataja, Aspirus Iron River Nursing Manager and Glenn Dobson, IAHF Board Member.  IAHF Mini Grant applications can be found on the IAHF website at www.ironareahealthfoundation.org.  

Iron County Cancer Unit

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently made a donation in the amount of $2,500 to the Iron County Cancer Unit in support of the recent Volleyball "Pink Out" that was held at West Iron County.  The Volleyball "Pink Out" event raised over $7,200 that will be donated to the Iron County Cancer Unit in addition to the Iron Area Health Foundation donation for a total of over $9,700 to support area residents in their fight against cancer.

Pictured at the recent fundraiser donation to the Iron County Cancer Unit are the West Iron County Volleyball players, mothers who organized the event, Dr. Donald Patton, IAHF Board member, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Kevin Isaacson, Iron County Cancer Unit Treasurer and Lyle Smithson Jr., IAHF Director

Healthy Living Grant

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Healthy Living Grant in the amount of $5,000 to Young's Recreational Complex in Iron County.  The grant dollars will help support Young's "Outdoor Experiences for Better Health" program.  Young's will be purchasing 35 new sets of X-C Skis, boots and poles for both adults and youth.  The X-C Skiing program at Young's will include both recreational skiing and skiing lessons.  Representatives of Young's stated that their goal with the program is to enjoy the outdoors and at the same time enhance the individual's physical and mental health and well-being.  The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to be able to help support the "Outdoor Experiences for Better Health" program and to continue to support programs and initiatives that enhance Healthy Living and Mental Well-Being for residents of Iron County.  

Pictured presenting the check to Young's are Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Jill Sabotta,Event Coordinator at Young's, Jason Rivard, General Manager at Young's and Zach Hautala, IAHF Board Member.

Wykon Family Run 5k

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently contributed $365 to support the Wykon Family Fun Run 5k.  The 5K run promotes healthy living opportunities for residents of Iron County and strives to "CAN" hunger in our community.  All Tot-Lot thru 6th grade students who participate in the 5K run will receive a free T-Shirt to wear in celebration of the run's 10th anniversary.  Participants in the run are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the local St. Vincent DePaul store.

Pictured are Lyle Smithson, Director of the Iron Area Health Foundation, Jill Sabotta, Iron Area Health Foundation Board member and Denise Maloney, WIC Pre-School Instructor and race coordinator.

Crystal Falls Contemporary Center
Book Club Project

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $2,400 to the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center Book Club project.  The grant dollars will be used to provide books for Book Club members.  Medical data has proven that reading improves an individual's physical and mental well-being.  Through reading and discussing books with other Book Club members the goal is to enhance the Physical and Mental Well-Being of the participants.  This project hopes to encourage our residents of Iron County to read more.

The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to help support the efforts of the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center and their focus on enhancing the Physical and Mental Health of the residents of Iron County.

Pictured for the grant presentation are Chris Davis, Director of the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center and Lyle Smithson, Director of the Iron Area Health Foundation.

Iron County Historical & Museum Society

The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,600 to the Iron County Historical & Museum Society to help purchase a new filtered water bubbler for the museum building.  The present water drinking system is no longer usable and needs to be replaced so that preschool thru senior citizen visitors can properly hydrate when visiting the museum.  The IAHF is very pleased to support this purchase and continue to support healthy living initiatives in Iron County. 

Pictured at the grant check presentation are Alicia Benson, IAHF Board Member, Mary Bjork ICHMS Board Member, Kathlene (KL) Long, ICHMS Director, Sandie Nies, ICHMS Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.

Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship

The first annual Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship was recently awarded to West Iron County High School Seniors Callista Bortolameolli, Emma Bofinger and Autumn Smith.  Callista has been accepted at Michigan State University in the Nursing program.  Emma has been accepted at Michigan State University in the Pre-Medical program.  Autumn has been accepted at Bay College with intentions to later transfer to Kirtland College to study Cardiac Sonography. 

The Iron Area Health Foundation congratulates all three students on their successful high school careers and wishes them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.

Iron River Care Center

The Iron River Care Center recently made a $1,000 donation to the Iron Area Health Foundation as a major sponsor for the Foundation's upcoming Golf Tournament fundraiser.  The golf tournament will be held June 4, 2023 at Young's Recreational Complex.  All proceeds from the golf tournament will go towards the Foundation's continued support of healthy living initiatives for all residents of Iron County.  The Iron Area Health Foundation thanks the Iron River Care Center for their support as a major sponsor. 

Pictured in the check presentation are; Benjamin and Kerry Friedman, Iron River Care Center owners, Jill Sabotta, IAHF Board member and golf tournament coordinator and Lyle Smithson IAHF Director.

West Iron County Schools Athletic Department

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently made a donation of $1,000 in athletic training medical supplies to the West Iron County Schools Athletic Department.

Pictured during the donation of athletic medical supplies are Mike Berutti, West Iron County High School Principal/Athletic Director, Calli Pellizzer, West Iron County student, Elijah Oberlin, West Iron County student, Chris Kent, IAHF board President, Bryon Harper, MS, AT, ATC from Marshfield Medical Center Dickinson UP Rehab, who put together the athletic training medical supplies for the school, Jill Sabotta, IAHF board member, Kevin Schmutzler, West Iron County School District Superintendent, Lyle Smithson, IAHF Director. The Iron Area Health Foundation is pleased to provide this support to the health and well being of West Iron County student athletes.

Iron Range Firefighters Association

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Grant in the amount of $1,418.00 to the the Iron Range Firefighters Association.  The Grant money was used to purchase eight new CPR training manikins. 

Pictured with the new training manikins are Zach Hautala, IAHF board member, Tom Bucek, Crystal Falls Fire Department Training Officer, Mike Goriesky, Iron County Training Coordinator, Elizabeth Fittante, IAHF board member and Lyle Smithson, IAHF Director.  Anyone interested in CPR training should contact their local fire agency for more information.
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906 Adventure Team

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the 906 Adventure Team.  The grant dollars will be used for base camp supplies by the 906 Adventure Team.  The base camp supplies will include first aid kits, Walkie Talkies, back packs, safety equipment and bike stand repair areas. 

The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to help support the efforts of the 906 Adventure Team and their focus on healthy non motorized activities within the greater Iron County area.

Pictured for the donation are Lyle Smithson, IAHF Director, Martha Rypstra, Adventure Team member, Abigail Garcia, Adventure Team member, BenJamin Garcia, Adventure Team member, Peter Garcia, Adventure Team member, Fable Garcia, Adventure Team member, Jezreel Garcia, Adventure Team member, Jonathan Rypstra, Adventure Team member, Thor Rypstra, Adventure Team member and Chris Kent, IAHF board President.

Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship

The 2nd annual Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $500 each was recently awarded to five West Iron County High School Seniors, Caleb Strom, Aubrey Bice, Seanna Stine, April Clark and Haiden Gill. 

The scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who have been accepted into a program of continuing education in a health related field of study.  Caleb has been accepted at the University of Michigan to study Biology.  Aubrey has been accepted at Central Michigan University to study Biochemistry.  Seanna has been accepted to Northern Michigan University to study Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.  April has been accepted to Michigan Technological University University to study Pre-Medicine.  Haiden has been accepted to Michigan Technological University to study Biomedical Engineering.  The IAHF congratulates all five students on their very successful high school careers and wishes them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors.

Do It For Daniel

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently sponsored four presentations of Do It For Daniel for students and adults in Iron County.  The presentation addressed anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.  Over 750 people attended the four presentations that were provided for students in grades 6-12 at West Iron County and Forest Park and for the community at Young’s Recreational Complex. 

Pictured is Jeff Olson, Do It For Daniel presenter.

West Iron County School District

The Iron Area Health Foundation has awarded a $500 Mini Grant to the West Iron County School District.  The Mini Grant will be used to provide a healthy, nutritious, well balanced breakfast to all Juniors at school on the mornings of the State of Michigan SAT tests and essays.  The IAHF is very pleased to support this healthy living initiative. 

Picture at the check presentation is Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director, Francy Economy,WIC School District Social Worker, Konnor Bjorkman, WIC School District Test Coordinator, Jill Sabotta, IAHF Board Member, Chris Kent, IAHF Board President, Jodi Fales, WIC School District SSD Coordinator and Mike Berutti, WIC School District High School Principal.

Healthy Living and Well-Being Grant

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently awarded a Healthy Living and Well-Being Grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Medical Care Access and Prescription Assistance Coalition of Dickinson and Iron Counties. The grant dollars will help support the MCAC "Voucher Fund" program.  The Voucher Fund Program through the MCAC provides emergency medication support to any uninsured, under insured, low income, disabled or elderly residents of Dickinson and Iron Counties who can not afford their medication.  The MCAC also provides free unbiased Medicare and Medicaid counselors to help individuals navigate through any medical paperwork.

The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to be able to help support the MCAC "Voucher Fund"program and to continue to support programs and initiatives that enhance Healthy Living and Well-Being for all residents of Iron County.

Pictured at the check presentation are Jessica Perry, IAHF Board Member, Mylynn Trulock, MCAC Executive Director, Elizabeth Fittante, IAHF Board Member and Lyle Smithson Jr, IAHF Director.

Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship

The first annual Iron Area Health Foundation Scholarship was recently awarded to Forest Park Seniors Kayla Hammerbarg.  Kayla has been accepted to Northern Michigan University in the Pre-Pharmacy program.  The Iron Area Health Foundation congratulates Kayla on her very successful high school career and wishes her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

Iron County

The Iron Area Health Foundation recently purchased AED and CPR training materials for Iron County.  Included in the supply purchase were four Prestan Professional AED training units and CPR training face shields. 

Pictured are Elizabeth Fittante, IAHF board member, Chris Kent, IAHF board President, Tom Bucek, Crystal Falls Fire Department Training Officer and Lyle Smithson, IAHF Director.  The Iron Area Health Foundation is very pleased to continue to support healthy living initiatives in Iron County.