The Beta Sigma Chapter of Michigan State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has selected the Dickinson Area Community Foundation for the Friend of Education Award. This award is given to individuals, services or businesses that have had an ongoing presence supporting education in the community. From left are Debra Pajula, Beta Sigma; Tamara Juul, DACF executive director; and Pauline Hill and Chris Sericati, Beta Sigma.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Dickinson Area Community Foundation has been selected to receive the Friend of Education Award by Beta Sigma Chapter of Michigan State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. This award is given to individuals, services or businesses that have had an ongoing presence supporting education the community.

Established in 1995, the Dickinson Area Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. They currently provide eight school districts with scholarships and grants, many of which are awarded for projects that are investing in education for now and into the future. Proudly, they award grants for literacy, science labs, learning equipment and more.

DACF is a proud partner with local education leadership and involves students with the Youth Advisory Committee leadership program. The YAC’s manage endowment funds and make decisions solely based on impacting the youth in our area.

DACF hosts three YAC groups: Iron Mountain-Kingsford YAC, Forest Park YAC and Norway-Vulcan YAC. Each year, students in eighth through 12th grades evaluate and award thousands of dollars in grants, many supporting local education. The eight school districts receiving grants are Breitung Township, Iron Mountain, Norway-Vulcan, Forest Park, North Dickinson in Michigan, and Florence, Niagara, and Pembine in Wisconsin.

They also provide grants to the local Parkinson support group to help defray the cost of speakers from throughout the U.S. to educate adults with Parkinson’s disease at an annual symposium.

DKG members recognize the effect DACF has on education in their community.

Delta Kappa Society International is an honorary society of key women educators who promote education and professional and personal growth of women educators.

DACF was presented with a certificate noting the award and signed by Dr Ranae Beyerlein, president of Delta Kappa Gamma, Michigan State organization, and co-presidents Debra Pajula and Pauline Hill of the Beta Sigma Chapter.

Because the November meeting of Beta Sigma Chapter had to be postponed due to COVID-19, the certificate was presented at the DACF offices with some members of the chapter present.