Portage Health Foundation Awards $15,000 to Make Improvements to the A.C. Baseball Field

[Hancock, MI]  The Stanton Athletic Club, in partnership with Stanton Township Park and Recreation, were recently awarded $15,000 from the Portage Health Foundation to make field and facility improvements at the A.C. Baseball Field.

These two organizations applied for funding under the PHFoundation’s outdoor recreation RFP.  The grant funding was a result of the foundation’s Spring Gala where a total amount of $60,000 was raised.  The foundation sought applications focused on programs and resources that promoted outdoor activities, particularly for youth and families.  As a result, many worthwhile applications were submitted throughout the foundation’s four-county service area.

To encourage outdoor recreation, the Stanton Athletic Club and Stanton Township will be installing a backstop, batting cage, and new fencing; repairing the infield and bleachers; and providing amenities that accommodate handicapped and elderly visitors at the A.C. Baseball Field.  According to Kevin Store, Executive Director of the Portage Health Foundation, “What we appreciate about their application is their collaborative approach and partnership with the community.  The approach they took and the community ownership that was present demonstrates that the field is a point of community pride.  The foundation is pleased to be investing in such a well-liked field and to help ensure its usage for years to come for friends, families, sports enthusiasts, and visitors.”

According to Ross Cooney, co-chair of fundraising for the Stanton Athletic Club, the project is already well underway with the infield rebuilt and the old fence removed.  The project should be completed this fall with any final tasks accomplished in the spring.  “We wish to thank the Portage Health Foundation for their support as we are very appreciative of their commitment to this project.  The A.C. Baseball Field has a long history and has been Stanton Township’s focal point for over 60 years.”

Over the past year, the Portage Health Foundation has been reinvesting in projects, programs, and community health initiatives that address many of the health risks we face in our community such as obesity, diabetes, and depression, which often stem from living sedentary lifestyles.  The Portage Health Foundation believes that recreation and physical activities are important steps in combatting these health issues.  Research has shown that physical activity can lead to better mental and physical health by reducing depression, relieving stress, and improving self-esteem.  These healthy changes often lead to positive economic and social benefits for local communities such as the promotion and creation of social bonds, livelier communities, and greater levels of community involvement and stewardship.

The Portage Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives and contributes charitable donations, which support the health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties.