34th Annual William & Helen Doyle Exchange Awards Announced
The Community Foundation and Sturgis Exchange Club are proud to announce the recipients of the 34th annual William & Helen Doyle/Exchange Club Community Service Awards!
Through the William & Helen Doyle Fund at the Foundation, these awards honor charitable and educational programs that make a meaningful impact in the Sturgis community. Established in 1991 by William and Helen Doyle, the Fund has awards more than $145,000 in grants to over 100 deserving programs.
This year, we are pleased to honor the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan, Sturgis Public Schools, and Sturges-Young Center for the Arts for their exceptional dedication and service. Their commitment to enriching the lives of others exemplifies the spirit of this award. Congratulations to all recipients for their contributions to our community!
Meet the Recipients
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan – Sturgis Club
$2,500 – Summer STEAM Programs
The Sturgis Club of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan supports before- and after-school programs for Sturgis Public School students ages 6–12, along with summer programs for local youth. This grant will fund hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics activities for approximately 150 youth, including weekly sessions with Club staff and select programming led by a Glen Oaks Community College faculty member. The summer will culminate in a field trip to STEAM Day in Benton Harbor, giving local kids valuable exposure to college mentors and real-world STEAM experiences.
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts
$2,500 – Partners in Art
The Sturges-Young Center for the Arts Partners in Art program gives talented student artists the opportunity to have their work professionally framed and displayed at local businesses throughout the school year. Grant funding will help SYCA bring in college students and working artists to the program’s reception, creating real-world learning moments for young creatives exploring how to turn their passion into a career. The grant builds on last year’s enhancements – including artist meet-and-greets and student-led culinary touches – to make Partners in Art an even richer experience for students, families, and the community.
Sturgis High School
$500 – Freshman Focus Camp
Sturgis High School’s Freshman Focus Camp is a program designed to help incoming ninth-graders transition into high school with confidence and a sense of belonging. The grant will fund prizes, lunch, and t-shirts, ensuring all students can fully participate in team-building activities and orientation experiences alongside peers, mentors, and staff. This investment helps set freshmen up for a strong start, academically and personally, as they begin their high school journey.
The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is a $54M foundation committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about now and for generations.
For more information on grants or donor services, email sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.
