MARQUETTE — The Community Foundation of Marquette County will host its 2021 Annual Celebration at Northern Michigan University at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The evening will include Catalyst Award presentations, the first Range Bank Clean Energy Grant award and a special announcement for the Jumpstart a Heart project.

“The Annual Celebration is a way for the community foundation staff and board of trustees to say thank you,” Community Foundation of Marquette County CEO Zosia Eppensteiner said in a press release. “We thank the donors, businesses and funders who invest in our community, and the people and organizations who work tirelessly to make Marquette County a place that helps all citizens thrive.”

Each year, the foundation’s board of trustees nominates individuals, organizations, and businesses to receive Catalyst Awards. These awards “recognize the efforts of those that help build community through volunteerism or philanthropy and inspire others to do the same,” organizers said in the release. Four awards will be presented at this year’s annual celebration.

The Range Bank Clean Energy grant, which was established this year to assist non-profits with investing in energy saving projects and education, will be presented to Lake Superior Lifecare & Hospice. The grant will help the organization complete an energy-saving insulation project. Range Bank President and CEO Roxanne Daust will present the grant to Lake Superior Lifecare & Hospice CEO Jennifer Voegtline.

Earlier this year, the foundation partnered with the Marquette County Law Enforcement Administrators Association with the goal of raising $81,000 to replace outdated lifesaving equipment carried by law enforcement.

The effort, called Jumpstart a Heart, will allow MCLEAA to purchase 38 automatic external defibrillators for law enforcement across the county. Grants from West End Health Foundation, Frazier Fund, Ray and Peg Hirvonen Foundation, Superior Health Foundation, Negaunee Area Community Fund and Marquette Area Community Fund helped the project reach its goal.

Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt and Cpl. Jennifer Best will represent MCLEAA at the Annual Celebration to accept the grant. While this project was fully funded, the Annual Celebration will include a special announcement of ways the community can continue to support future AED needs in Marquette County.