MARQUETTE — The Community Foundation of Marquette County Board of Trustees has announced the 2021 winners of its annual Catalyst Awards.

A Catalyst Award, the foundation said, recognizes the efforts of those that build community through volunteerism or philanthropy and inspire others to do the same.

Double Trouble Entertainment received the Catalyst Award in the Business category. Bill and Pat Digneit moved to Marquette to attend Norther Michigan University and have called the Upper Peninsula home ever since.

“If you take care of your community, your community will take care of you” is the Digneits’ motto, the foundation said.

Chittle

CFMC board Secretary Maura Davenport said in a news release, “They have given countless hours and in-kind support to Lake Superior Hospice, NMU, Beacon House, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to name just a few. These efforts plus their business philosophy serves to inspire others by example through tireless and selfless efforts to volunteer and be benefactors to the Marquette County community.”

Spread Goodness Day received the Catalyst Award in the Service Club/Organization category. Inspired by her love of volunteerism, founder Anna Dravland wanted to encourage others to find their purpose in supporting their communities in their own unique ways, the foundation said.

Spread Goodness Day inspires countless individuals, groups, businesses and organizations to make positive change at the level they are capable of and comfortable doing. It was proclaimed an official annual holiday by the city of Marquette and state of Michigan in 2021.

Jesie Melchiori received the Catalyst Award for the Individual category. Melchiori is president of the Great Lakes Rodeo, owner of Cold Springs Livery, board member of the Haunted Hayride, board member of the Alger County Fair and campaign chairperson of Gwinn Area Community Schools Booster Club. Melchiori is general manager of the Up North Lodge in Forsyth Township.

CFMC Trustee Lisa Jahnke said, “Her smiling face is one you will see behind the bar, in the kitchen, delivering food, organizing parties and coordinating Bike Nights benefiting local charities each week. Each Christmas season, Jesie takes on ‘Operation Great Christmas’ providing holiday meals to hundreds of families.

Dravland

“Jesie believes that it takes a village to accomplish all she’s done. She’s proud to be a part of the Gwinn community and the Gwinn community is so thrilled that’s she’s part of theirs.”

Henry Chittle received the Catalyst Award in the Youth category. At just 9 years old, Henry is already an asset to his community. He looks for opportunities to help others, the foundation said, and he does so in creative and effective ways. From selling his own artwork to support the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter to running a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Care Clinic, Henry uses his time and talent to benefit others.

“I’m just 9 and I didn’t think I’d get picked at all,” Henry said in his acceptance speech. “I didn’t know there was an award for this. … I just like doing fundraisers and raising money for things that need money, like food banks and stuff.”

Melchiori