Businesses and nonprofits partnerships make more vibrant communities

Since its founding in 1993, White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation has supported White Bear Lake Area School District 624 by administering grants, fellowships and scholarships for teachers and students, as well as an Angel Fund for families with special economic needs. Dawn Hank, WBLAEF Executive Director, says, “The Foundation is not an entity of School District 624 but was created to help it provide excellence in education to all of its students, and I feel confident that every student that comes through the District has been touched by the Foundation. I really believe that.”

Scholarships administered by WBLAEF are awarded to students for a variety of reasons: to economically-disadvantaged students, for participation in extra-curricular activities; to graduating seniors who excel in specific disciplines; and, to students who exhibit strong leadership skills. Additionally, teachers and teams of teachers are awarded grants and fellowships that allow them to travel to conferences and for in-depth study time – all of which enhances their professional growth and their students’ classroom experience.

The Angel Fund, managed by WBLAEF, is supported by the larger community and benefits families in need. The Closet, an extension of The Angel Fund, is a dedicated space where families in need browse through “anything that can be worn head-to-toe” for their District students.

Hank says, “I’ve been involved with WBLAEF since 2012, and because our board has worked tirelessly to support the District’s programs, we’ve recently added several more scholarships. It’s been my experience that more and more nonprofits have become valuable at a grassroots level because they can be more fluid and responsive to their community’s specific needs.”

Hank acknowledges that strong donor and volunteer support from individuals, the District’s alumni association and the larger community – including business partnerships – have all contributed to WBLAEF achieving its goals. One business partnership is with Hallberg Engineering, Inc.

Founded in 1979 and located in White Bear Lake since 1984, HEI has specialized in mechanical and electrical engineering and technical design for K-12 and higher educational institutions throughout the U.S. In 2003, HEI created the Schools for Energy Efficiency™ (SEE) program in K-12 schools. Other HEI clients include retail, government, community, healthcare, restaurant/hospitality and industrial.

Hank says, “Hallberg Engineering has been a great collaborator with the Foundation for several years. Hallberg President Paul Fettinger is on our Board of Directors and co-chairs our annual golf tournament. Our 2017 tournament raised $32,000. Also, Hallberg’s Marketing Coordinator Andrea Loppnow has served on the board and co-chaired our Bear Legacy Fundraiser/Gala. In 2017, it raised $70,000. The tournament and gala support the five grants in our Legacy Fund; two of those are the Bear and E3 Grants.

“The Bear Grant – available to District 624 students and staff as well as community members – awards up to $10,000 per year for innovative projects in math, science, technology and robotics; for creative projects in the fine arts, music, theatre and dance; and for leadership and community projects related to world languages, composition, journalism, health and fitness. E3 grants are awarded to individual educators, groups of educators, buildings and administrators to enhance students’ environmental understanding and attitudes toward science, the outdoors, our community and the world.”

In addition to Hallberg’s fundraising efforts, Hank recognizes the value of WBLAEF’s redesigned website – courtesy of Loppnow’s expertise. “Our new website, launched in 2017, has allowed our foundation to better communicate with a broader audience and increase the efficiency by which we can accept and process grants.”

Regarding his company’s “special bond” with K-12 schools and WBLAEF, Fettinger says, “Hallberg Engineering has been located in White Bear Lake since 1998. Both Rick Lucio (Hallberg CEO) and I live in White Bear Lake, and our kids attend schools in District 624. So, we’re very connected to the community, to the District and the Foundation; we want to continue supporting them in the best way we know how. Our company benefits greatly from quality education.

“Over the next several years, there will be many people retiring from our field of engineering, which essentially makes buildings function. In addition, there are very few high school and college students aware our field of engineering even exists, so they don’t choose to pursue it as a career. It’s very rewarding being involved with District 624 through the Foundation and promoting our field of engineering by sharing our story, meeting with students interested in engineering, engaging in a job shadowing experience for teachers and sponsoring an Engineering Scholarship for White Bear Lake Area High School.

“As proud residents and business owners in the community, Hallberg Engineering feels it’s important to give back to organizations that benefit our schools and our community.”

For more information: wblaef.org and hallbergengineering.com.