Bay Area Community Foundation to honor three people for their legacy of giving and leadership

In 1996, the Bay Area Community Foundation established the Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award to honor individuals whose exceptional dedication uplifts Bay County.

This year, the honor goes to Bob and Joyce Hetzler and Cathy Washabaugh.
We will gather to celebrate our honorees on Mon., Sept. 23 at the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Faces of Philanthropy event. Reserve your tickets here.

Their leadership serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the impact of generosity and believing that you can make a difference.

Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Community FoundationBob and Joyce Hetzler received the 2024 Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award for their work in education, arts and culture, and more.Bob and Joyce Hetzler lead by example and give back to their community

Raised with an understanding of giving back, Bob and Joyce have dedicated themselves to enhancing Bay County by following their passions.

As Joyce reflects on the “why” of their philanthropic involvement, she shares, "That's who we are,"—a sentiment echoed by Bob, emphasizing, "You can do something with any amount."

Joyce, a former educator, has devoted her time and talents to a multitude of initiatives spanning arts and culture, education, and community beautification, sharing that "even when life changes, you make time to give back."

Among the many organizations fortunate to benefit from Joyce's support are Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, the Bay Music Foundation, the Bay City Garden Club, the YWCA of the Great Lakes Bay Region, the Bay County Library System, and the Bay Arts Council.

Joyce also is active in their church and has held various educational positions within community groups.

Bob, in his capacity as an attorney and later as President and CEO of Monitor Sugar Company, wove his professional knowledge into community service, affirming that "philanthropy isn't something you're born with, it's an observed and learned trait."

Bob's leadership and service extend across many local organizations and initiatives. He served as the United Way Campaign General Chairman and held various leadership positions in organizations such as the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and Delta College.

His involvement also extended to additional educational institutions, healthcare, and banking sectors, where he played pivotal roles in driving positive change and progress.

Bob and Joyce have been supporters of the Bay Area Community Foundation since 1987 and were close friends with Peggy Rowley.

They fondly recall Peggy's dedication to her friends and community, highlighting her ability to rally individuals with passion behind projects vital to Bay County. Peggy's legacy of leadership and community stewardship has and continues to inspire Bob and Joyce as they carry forth her spirit of service.

For them, philanthropy extends beyond financial contributions; it is about fostering meaningful connections and leaving a legacy of impact. As Joyce wisely notes, "Volunteering and serving brings joy."  

They are inspired by the work so many others have done within the community, and they continue to seek opportunities to create positive change when a need arises.

Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Community FoundationCathy Washabaugh received the 2024 Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award. She was instrumental in establishing and expanding trails throughout the community and a Safe Routes to Schools program.For Cathy Washabaugh, volunteering is a lifelong passion

Cathy's journey of community involvement began in 1988 when she made Bay County her home. With an eagerness to help and a desire to make a difference, volunteering became her natural calling.

Over the years, she's poured her energy into various boards, projects, and initiatives. From the Bay Area Community Foundation, Friends of Bay City State Park, Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail Board, RiverWalk RailTrail Committee, Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, Bay City in Bloom, and Delta Foundation Board, Cathy has driven projects and programs to life for the betterment of individuals and families in our region.

Cathy joined the Riverwalk-Railtrail Committee in 1997 after an invitation from Peg Rowley. The vision was to complete the loop and connect to the Bay City State Park. With many milestones along the way, the 9.5-mile loop was completed and dedicated in  2002. The Bangor Township section and state park portion were completed by 2006.

The vision shifted to connecting Bay County to Saginaw County on what is now known as the Bay-Zil trail. Today, focus is on the maintenance of existing trails in Bay County and growing the endowment fund to help accomplish this.

Another standout contribution is her involvement in the Safe Routes to School program (SR2S). Having seen children walking on the road to school while dropping their daughters off, Cathy realized there was a great need for safer pathways for students in our community.

She took proactive steps, rallying a team composed of the Bay County Road Commission, Bay County Sheriff, teachers, students, neighbors and more to secure a significant grant to enhance sidewalks around Bay City John Glenn High School and Christa McAuliffe Middle School.

Thanks to the team's efforts, children now have safer routes to school and after-school activities.

She also takes pride in being a founding member of the Bay Area Community Foundation's Women's Philanthropy Circle (WPC); a group of like-minded women coming together, not just to give back, but to create friendships and provide support to women in our community.

Thanks to Cathy and the women of WPC’s leadership, WPC has granted over $170,000 through funding projects and programs aimed at bettering the lives of local women.

Having known Peggy Rowley personally as a friend and mentor, Cathy lives by a piece of wisdom shared by Peg; the three P's: perseverance, persistence, and patience. These values have guided her through challenges and triumphs, including securing funding for beloved community projects like the Bay City State Park Spray Park and Come Play by the Bay Playscape.

For Cathy, the true measure of success lies in the smiles and laughter of families enjoying the community spaces she's helped create. She shares, “It's about building lasting memories and instilling a sense of pride and ownership within the community.”

 
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