Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
Hurley — The Hurley community still puts students above profits, even during a pandemic, as demonstrated by the annual Cash for Kids donation at the Hurley Public School Board meeting on Monday.
Tammie Bartels, the store manager of the Hurley Cenex, a company of Midland Services, Inc., under the Midland Energy brand, presented this year’s Cash for Kids patronage refund check donation of $17,300 to the Hurley Education Foundation. The donation was slightly less than the $20,508 donation in 2019, but altogether the donations have totaled more than $145,000 since the Cash for Kids program started in 2010.
“It’s an honor to give this to the school,” Bartels said. “I love to see the numbers go up.”
Greg Massoglia, a board member of Midland Services, Inc., said Midland Cenex station customers making a purchase can say, “Cash for Kids,” so the cooperative can forgo the annual percentage of cash and equity profits to benefit area school districts. Hurley is one school district patronage account and other schools include Ashland, Brule, Mellen, Northwestern-Maple, Our Lady of the Lake School, South Shore Schools and Washburn. The Chequamegon Humane Association is also a popular patronage account.
“Hopefully, you’ll continue to support the Hurley School and the Hurley Midland,” Massoglia said. “Just say, ‘Cash for Kids.’”
HEF President Gary Pelkola was present with other board members to receive the check. He said the Cash for Kids is a big part of the annual budget and supports a variety of programs and equipment purchases.
“That has gone directly to the students of the Hurley School District and we really appreciate it,” Pelkola said.
Kevin Genisot, Hurley school district administrator, said the Cash for Kids donation is a highlight of the year. The students benefit directly from the partnership between the HEF and Midland Services, Inc.
The foundation continues to receive support from the community and alumni, he said. Recently, a local business owner donated $5,700 anonymously to the foundation, he said.
“His words when he donated it was, ‘I don’t want any credit for it. I just see the good things happening and I want to be a part of Hurley,’” Genisot said. “There is a lot of good momentum and the Hurley Education Foundation members put in countless hours into making it all possible for the kids in the community.”