Generosity Stories

You are here: Home What We Do Our Stories Generosity Stories

Jerome Yantz and text that says "generosity changes everything"

It started with a conversation over a cup of coffee. In 2008, a group of business and education leaders in Bay County met to discuss how our community could better prepare our youth for the future. Among these leaders sat Jerome Yantz.

Eileen Wyatt with "generosity changes everything" text

When Mary Eileen (Wyatt) Burns’ friends talk about her, the joy in their voices is contagious. They tell you about her beauty, adventurous spirit and generosity. They explain that she loved her family, community and church.

Al and Joy McFayden and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Even though their permanent address is in New Hampshire, Al and Joy McFadyen say they’ll never stop supporting the community where they built careers and raised a family.

Brian and Lindsay Eggers and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Brian and Lindsay Eggers have long, though different, histories of giving back to their community. Raised with extremely hands-on givers as parents, philanthropy was embedded in the way Lindsay was raised. Even her high school valedictory speech highlighted the importance of helping others.

Mike and Nancy Kasperski and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Back in the late 1980s, when Mike Kasperski agreed to attend a meeting of Dow Corning employees who lived in Bay County, he wasn’t sure what to expect. What he most likely didn’t expect was that it would lead to nearly 30 years of volunteer involvement with the Bay Area Community Foundation.

Bonnie Marsh and George Shaw and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Have fun.

Do no harm.

Help others.

These are the principles that guide Bonnie Marsh and George Shaw’s family. It is what drives their generosity.

Martin Jaffe and text that says "generosity changes everything"

When Martin passed away last year, one of the ways Ruth chose to honor his memory and his legacy of generosity was by asking for gifts to Bay Area Community Foundation in lieu of flowers. This year, in response to the Garnett and Elmie Compeau Challenge, Ruth used these gifts to establish the Martin D. Jaffe, M.D. Fund, which will provide grant dollars to respond to Bay County’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities for years to come.