Since its inception in 2015, the LEADER Fund has been a beacon of support for the students and staff of Lapeer Community Schools. The Foundation, focused on the advancement of the District’s educational and athletic programs, has invested more than $300,000 in our school district, profoundly shaping the futures of countless students and enhancing the educational landscape of the community.

“There are no words to fully describe how much we have benefited from the work of the LEADER Fund and its generous supporters,” said LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie. “This foundation was formed with little more than the desire of a small group of people to make a big impact in our school community. Eight years later, you can see evidence of their commitment in every one of our schools … it’s seismic.”

Over the past eight years, the Foundation’s commitment has continued to grow in the form of scholarships, grants, and direct donations to our classrooms. These have helped pave the way for student success both in and out of the classroom. The funds have not only supported individual students but also led to significant improvements in school infrastructure, improving learning environments for students and staff making them more conducive to academic and athletic success.

For Doug Lindsay, who has served as the head principal of Lapeer High School (LHS) for over a decade, LEADER Fund has been a godsend. 

“Every school has needs that, without the help of the community, might never be met,” he said. “In our school, we’ve benefited tremendously from the generosity of LEADER Fund year after year.”

Last school year marked yet another milestone for the LEADER Fund, as 14 deserving LHS seniors were awarded scholarships, helping to alleviate the financial burden of post-secondary education. These awards will have a long-lasting impact on our students as they strive for success in college and beyond. And it doesn’t end there. 

The contributions of the LEADER Fund aren’t limited to scholarships. One of their most impactful initiatives is the Power Project. Through this initiative, LEADER Fund has invested thousands of dollars in everything from science collaboration stations to public address system upgrades and building signage (see below right).

At the Zemmer 8-9 Campus, the District invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to get students Chromebooks to enhance their academic opportunities. To protect this investment, LEADER Fund donated the funds to buy hundreds of protective cases for Chromebooks so that their positive impact on learning  could be long-lasting.

“In the life of a principal, often the solution to problems boils down to funding, something that we don’t always have to match our needs,” said Dr. Jeff Stanton, Zemmer Principal. “Over the years, we’ve come to count on LEADER Fund to meet many of those needs.”

Over at Murphy Elementary, soon students will have an updated nature trail with signage created by the Advanced Manufacturing students at LHS, thanks to a generous grant from LEADER Fund.

At Turrill Elementary, a tree was purchased to provide shade for students on the playground for years to come. Across town at Schickler Elementary, students learned about Michigan history due to a grant from LEADER Fund. And there’s so much more.

Summer Putnam, LCS Board of Education President, has seen the impact of LEADER Fund’s generosity up close during her tenure on the Board. 

“The LEADER Fund has been instrumental in driving positive change in our community,” she said. “Their support goes beyond finances; it’s about a commitment to doing what’s best for our students, a direct investment in the future of Lapeer.”

The LEADER Fund’s dedication is a shining example of how community initiatives can have a long-lasting and transformative impact on education. As they move forward, the Foundation remains committed to their mission, always looking for ways to empower and support the future leaders of Lapeer Community Schools. Funding for LEADER Fund’s mission comes from the foundation’s three major fundraising events as well as the generous annual support of its partner organizations. 

We are incredibly grateful to the following organizations for their support of our students and staff in partnership with the LEADER Fund: Choice One Bank, Jim Riehl’s Friendly Automotive Group, McLaren Lapeer Region
Michele & Company Fine Jewelers, Mott Community College, Sovita Credit Union and View Newspaper Group.

It is our desire that our staff and the greater school community continue to support their mission, and to patronize their partner organizations. Without them, we cannot be the school district that we strive to be every day.

For more information about the LEADER Fund or to contribute, please visit their official website at LeaderFundLapeer.com.