Hudson Community Fund holds 10th annual meeting

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The Hudson Community Fund Governing Board honored three long-serving members, nominated two new directors and elected officers at its 10th annual meeting Sept. 8.

Honored upon completion of their third and final three-year terms were Kevin Vance, Steve Schroeder and Dr. Kevin Helmen. Vance had served as vice president for several years and chaired the Benefactors Committee, Schroeder headed the Professional Committee and served for five years as treasurer. Helmen participated on several committees during his nine years on the board.

The board nominated two new directors, Kim Burns and Barry Lundeen and will add a third shortly.

Burns, a national account manager for Santarus, Inc., was co-coordinator of the Hudson Community Built Playground Project, has served as vice president and president of the St. Patrick School Home School Association and has been active on the Mite Committee of the Hudson Hockey Association. She and her husband, Jim, live in Hudson with their three children, Hannah, Henry and Quincy.

Lundeen, an attorney and owner-partner in the Mudge, Porter, Lundeen and Seguin law firm, has been active in the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and was its chair in 1999. He has also served on the boards of the Hudson golf club and St. Croix Valley YMCA. He and his wife Betsey have a 9-year-old son,Ben.

Jay Griggs was reelected president for a second one year term, as were Vice President of Communication Tricia Christiansen and Vice President of Development Dick Whitcomb. Susie Gilbert will remain as Past President.

Duane Swanson was elected treasurer to replace Schroeder and Ryan Cari was elected secretary, replacing Joel Skinner, who has served in the position for six years. Skinner will remain on the board and will now have more time for his duties as president of the Hudson Noon Rotary Club. Assistant Treasurer and Secretary respectively will be Al Kiecker and Annette Cook.

Griggs reported that the total fund has grown to more than $1 million during its first 10 years. About $170,000 of that is in the unrestricted fund from which the board annually makes grants to local organizations and causes. Grants and scholarships totaling more than $6,100 were made to ten organizations and two students during the past year.

The remaining monies are in a number of donor-advised and special interest funds in which the donors suggest how the earnings are distributed. Grants from the Hudson Community Fund have totaled more than $700,000 since the fund was started in 1999.

The Hudson Community Fund is one of five such funds affiliated with the St. Croix Valley Foundation, which provides staff support and management services. SCVF President Jane Hetland Stevenson also attended the meeting and praised the 21-member HCF board for being active and enthusiastic in its efforts to provide local philanthropists with a way to leave a legacy in their community.

Tags: community fund, st croix valley foundation, communities, hudson