Each year, the Foundation Board of Trustees nominates individuals, organizations, and businesses to receive Catalyst Awards. A Catalyst Award recognizes the efforts of those that build community through volunteerism or philanthropy and inspire others to do the same – those that go “above and beyond” for our community. The CFMC Board of Trustees is proud to announce the 2021 Catalyst Award recipients.
Double Trouble Entertainment received the Catalyst Award in the Business category. Bill and Pat Digneit moved to Marquette to attend NMU and have called the U.P. home ever since. “If you take care of your community, your community will take care of you.” is the Digneits motto. It is evident, by the way that Bill and Pat run their businesses, that they are committed not only to their own success but also to the success of local nonprofits. Board Secretary, Maura Davenport, had this to say: “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. Spread Goodness Day inspires countless individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations to make positive change at the level they are capable of and comfortable doing so. Proclaimed an official annual holiday by the City of Marquette and State of Michigan in 2021, Spread Goodness Day encourages us to do just that: “Spread goodness. To whoever you want, however you want and to whatever extreme you want.”
Jesie Melchiori received the Catalyst Award for in the Individual category. Jesie wears many hats; President of the Great Lake Rodeo, owner of Cold Springs Livery, board member of the Haunted Hayride, board member of the Alger County Fair, Campaign Chairperson of Gwinn School’s Booster Club, as well as a wife, a mother, sister, and the list goes on. Many know Jesie as the General Manager of the Up North Lodge. Foundation Trustee, Lisa Jahnke had this to say: “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. 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 nine-years old, Henry is already an asset to his community. He looks for opportunities to help others, and he does so in creative and effective ways. From selling his own artwork to support UPAWS, 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. So, thank you so much for the award!”
Eslinger recently retired from Northern Michigan University where he served as the Dean of the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, and co-founded the idea incubator Invent@NMU. He has been active in the Marquette County and Upper Peninsula workforce and economic development issues for more than two decades.
Gonstead has been an active volunteer in the Upper Peninsula for more than 20 years, and has served on the boards of the Noquemanon Trail Network and the Yellow Dog Watershed, and on the marketing committee of the Big Bay Stewardship Council. She and her husband Sven launched the Big Bay summer concert series in 2018 in Powell Township. She also devotes her time to the Big Bay Fall Fest, the Big Bay Pathway, the Honey Bear Classic, and other causes and organizations.
