×

Stupak Foundation gives $50,000 to Holy Name

Bart and Laurie Stupak are shown. (Photo via Escanaba Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Students at the soon-to-open Holy Name High School will benefit for years to come because of the generosity of Bart and Laurie Stupak.

Holy Name High School is the recipient of a $50,000 donation made by the BJ Stupak Memorial Fund.

Established in 2000 by Congressman Bart and Laurie Stupak, The BJ Stupak Memorial Fund is a donor-designated fund held within the M&M Area Community Foundation. Since its inception, the BJ Stupak Fund has provided over $500,000 in grants and scholarships throughout the Upper Peninsula.

After the announcement by Bishop John F. Doerfler that Holy Name High School will re-open in Fall 2021, the BJ Stupak Memorial Fund donated $50,000 to the HNHS Tuition Angel Endowment Fund within the U.P. Catholic Foundation.

The Stupaks would like to encourage other donors to give to HNHS as well.

“We would like to keep the momentum going,” Laurie said. “Therefore, the BJ Stupak Memorial Fund is offering a match challenge of up to an additional $50,000 to individuals, families, businesses, and foundations willing to join us in this effort.”

Specifically, the BJ Stupak Memorial Fund will match dollar for dollar up to an additional $50,000 for a total donation of $100,000. Qualifying donations must be new gifts of $1,000 or more, or raised through special fundraising events designated for this challenge. Gifts will be accepted now through Sept. 30, 2021. Qualifying donations eligible for the match may be made to any of the three Holy Name High School endowment funds: Crusader Loyalty Fund, Tuition Angel Fund, or Crusader College Scholarship Fund.

Bart, a former Escanaba police officer, Michigan State Police trooper and attorney, served one term in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1988 to 1990, and nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011. Laurie, a former mayor of Menominee, is an Escanaba native who attended Holy Name High School from 1969 through 1971. She would have graduated in 1973, but the original HNHS closed before she reached her senior year. Laurie graduated from Escanaba High School in 1973.

The Stupaks, who recently moved back to the Escanaba area, are pleased that students from throughout the Upper Peninsula will once again be given an opportunity to attend Catholic High School.

“We are thrilled to support the future Holy Name High School and find it very satisfying that this high school will welcome students from all across the Upper Peninsula,” Bart said. “We are happy to give to this cause. It is humbling to support students who will be educated in an environment where the teachings of Jesus Christ are woven throughout the entire curriculum.”

Joseph Carlson, principal of Holy Name Catholic School, is extremely thankful to the Stupaks for their generosity.

“We are extremely grateful to Bart and Laurie Stupak for their belief in our vision for Holy Name High School,” Carlson said. “I appreciate their support and am amazed how God has called Laurie, a student who was at Holy Name High School when it closed, to now be a big part of its reopening!”

For more information on how to donate to Holy Name High School, visit www.NowIsTheTimeHNHS.com or www.upcatholicfoundation.org, or call Michelle Bink, Alumni/Development Director at Holy Name, at 906-786-7550, Ext. 20.

Donations can be mailed to: Holy Name Catholic School, 409 S. 22nd Street, Escanaba, MI 49829.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today