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Joan and Lee Schoenherr
Submitted by the Community Foundation for Mason County
LUDINGTON — Last week, the Community Foundation for Mason County launched the public phase of its Campaign for Mason County. The campaign, “Building a Stronger Community Together,” is a $5 million endowment initiative designed to triple the Foundation’s grant making capacity and address pressing community needs.
The campaign, which began in 2023, and will culminate on April 1, has been jumpstarted by a generous $1 million challenge gift from Lee and Joan Schoenherr. Their story of commitment to their community serves as an inspiring call to action for others to join in building a brighter future for Mason County.
This past August, Lee and Joan Schoenherr celebrated 56 years of marriage, despite a memorable start. Their first date almost didn’t happen – a humorous twist of fate when Joan realized she had agreed to go out with a man named “Lee” instead of the “Tom” her friends had recommended. After a cautious conversation through a closed door, Joan welcomed Lee into her home, and eventually, her heart.
“I love the stories she tells. We have the same likes, same goals in life. We were a good match – something must have been right,” said Lee, reflecting on his Pennsylvania-born wife whom he brought back to his beloved Mason County.
Throughout their years raising daughters Erica and Andrea in Ludington, Lee and Joan’s shared aspiration was ensuring the community continued to be a great place for kids to grow up and go to school. This commitment only grew stronger as the Schoenherrs expanded Floracraft, the family-owned foam and craft product company operating in Ludington since 1946. As the company flourished, so did their investment in Mason County. “If there’s a need,” as Lee would say, they have tried to help fill it.
The couple’s generosity has touched countless lives. They established scholarships for West Shore Community College students, leaving a lasting mark on local education. Their fingerprints are on numerous impactful projects throughout Mason County, from the Ludington Area School District’s Schoenherr Tennis Center, the skate park at Stearns Park, sculptures at Ludington Waterfront Park and the LASD Teen Resource Center.
In 2021, Lee surprised his 200 dedicated employees with a $4 million Christmas gift. “I wanted to do something for them because I am able to do something because of them,” he said, exemplifying his gratitude and belief in shared success.
Lee’s love for Mason County stems from cherished childhood memories. He credits supportive teachers, coaches, and community members for shaping his journey. Once a “taker,” as he puts it, he now embraces the role of a “giver,” finding joy in contributing to the place that once nurtured him. He recalls with fondness the free haircuts and rides to out-of-town games he received, gestures that left a lasting impression. Lee hopes to inspire others to embark on their own journeys from taking to giving.
To solidify their commitment to Mason County’s future, the Schoenherrs recently established the Lee & Joan Schoenherr Community Fund at the Community Foundation for Mason County. The unrestricted fund will address the community’s evolving needs and provide opportunities for generations to come.
To catalyze giving community-wide, the Schoenherrs have pledged a $1 million gift to the Campaign for Mason County. They said they hope the challenge gift will inspire others to contribute generously to the Foundation’s campaign and double their impact to increase the Funds for the Community, ensuring Mason County has resources to address its greatest needs and seize its brightest opportunities, not just today, but for years to come.
Joan, a former high school counselor, emphasized the importance of investing in education and the arts, highlighting the transformative power of providing access to experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. Both Lee and Joan expressed their confidence in the Community Foundation’s ability to identify and invest in initiatives that will truly make a difference, ensuring their legacy of impact.
The Schoenherrs believe that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has something valuable to offer, whether it’s time, talent, or treasure. They hope their story will start a chain reaction of generosity, inspiring others to give back in their own unique ways.
With the establishment of their fund and phenomenal gift, Lee and Joan’s legacy will ripple through Mason County for generations, helping to ensure a vibrant community with opportunities for all.
“Lee and Joan Schoenherr’s generosity will impact opportunities community-wide,” said Andrea Large, Community Foundation for Mason County Executive Director. “We are so grateful for their commitment to the people of Mason County.”
To contribute or learn more about the Campaign for Mason County, visit https://mason-foundation.org/the-campaign-for-mason-county/ or contact Andrea Large at alarge@cffmc.org or 231-845-0326.
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