Charities
Miles Jeffrey Roberts (MJR) Foundation was selected to receive the fall 2025 donation!
Below is some information about their mission from their website (https://mjrfoundation.org/):
Empowering youth athletic communities to promote mental well-being and suicide prevention.
The MJR Foundation was established in August of 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in honor of Miles Jeffrey Roberts, who died by suicide on May 29th, 2017. Suicide is an epidemic that continues to rise, particularly in our youth. According to the CDC in 2017, 6,252 young people ages 15 to 24 were reported as deaths by suicide in the U.S. Suicide was the second leading cause of death in this age group. Miles was one of these deaths.
We strive to advance youth mental health and well-being through supporting evidence-informed programs and policies. These programs help build key skills, relationships and connections to community to promote social and emotional health and may include partnerships with youth, family, coaches, teachers, healthcare, spiritual leaders. We will also partner with other organizations in our community whenever possible to advocate for existing programs and offer support to address gaps in current services.
Awarded Charities
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October 2025
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April 2025
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October 2024
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April 2024
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October 2023
$15,000
Presented by Mary Beth Strassel
Ladies Literary Club of Ypsilanti/Washtenaw Promise
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April 2023
$14,800
Presented by Becki Spangler
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (Delonis Center)
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October 2022
$16,650
Presented by Cheryl Girvan
Saline Area Social Services
May 2022 | Our House of Michigan | Dorene Markel | $17,850
October 2021 | Women's Center of SE Michigan | Ruth Monteith | $17,300
May 2021 | Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance | Pam Dahlman | $19,700
October 2020 | WCC Student Emergency Fund | Debbie Green | $20,000
October 2019 | Trail's Edge Camp | Jenna Rhodig | $21,601
May 2019 | Washtenaw Families Against Narcotics | Mary Neff | $20,150
October 2018 | Hope Dental Clinic | Cathy Pietrasiuk | $13,150
May 2018 | NAMI of Washtenaw County | Cheryl Girvan | $12,900
October 2017 | Our House of Michigan | Dorene Markel | $11,900
May 2017 | Safe At Home, EHM Sr. Solutions | Heather Feldkamp | $11,400
October 2016 | Imagination Library | Pat Horne McGee | $10,700
May 2016 | The Friends of the Washtenaw County | Hiliary King | $11,500
October 2015 | Safe House | Debbie Green | $11,200
May 2015 | Girls' Group | Debbie Koch| $11,500
October 2014 | Ozone House | Jeanne Learman | $11,400
April 2014 | Habitat for Humanity, Huron Valley | Jeanne Learman | $10,700
October 2013 | Arbor Hospice | Amy Catell | $9,600
April 2013 | Ed Project of Washtenaw County | Cindy Strong | $10,400
October 2012 | Girls Group | Mary Mostaghim | $8,900
April 2012 | Hope Clinic | Jen Melinski | $5,500
October 2011 | Ele's Place | Allyson Lyons | $3,600
Nominate a Charity:
Here is a helpful form for you to complete and bring with you to the meeting if you would like to present a charity.
Charities must be:
• Local and based in Washtenaw County.
• Must have 501(c)(3) status in Washtenaw County.
• Charitable organizations must be able to provide charitable tax receipts for donations.
• Charities must be actively engaged in the community and executing their mission statement.
Presentation Planning
You have five minutes to give a presentation, so let's make it count!
Know the facts:
• What is the name of the non-profit and where is it located?
• When was it founded and what is their history?
• What is the mission of the non-profit?
• Who do they serve and how do they do it?
Tell the heart story:
• What is your involvement or connection with the non-profit?
• Why does this non-profit matter to you?
• What are some differences that they make in our community?
Show them the money:
• What impact will our donation make for this non-profit?
• What will our funds be used to support?
Come prepared to educate your fellow members on a non-profit that they may have never heard of before. Know the facts, but also make it personal and tell us how much this non-profit means to you and the community members it helps.
