FOR HUB CITY TIMES

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Marshfield Hub City Times, and United for Community Wellness came together earlier this year to establish the “Good Heart Award.” The award recognizes high school seniors who have gone above and beyond in spreading positivity and kindness in their community.

The recognition arose from several conversations among Hub City Times staff members.

“The creation of this program is a culmination of two conversations,” said MMC Senior Editor Kris Leonhardt. “One was with Peggy Sue Behselich (Sales Executive) on promoting the good things that are happening in the community. The other was with Mike Warren (Editor) on creating a scholarship for something outside of academics, to give a leg up to those who may not be academically inclined.

“Peggy Sue and I brought Stacey Schultz (Marshfield Area Community Foundation) into the conversation and it took off from there and grew into a vehicle for both a scholarship opportunity and a vehicle to do more good in the community through a charitable contribution,” said Leonhardt.

“Kris Leonhardt and Peggy Sue Besilich, with Hub City Times, approached me with an idea they were brainstorming to recognize a high school senior for their kindness,” said Schultz. “The Marshfield Area Community Foundation is part of United for Community Wellness, a group which was formed during the pandemic which initially focused on mental health awareness. Last year, the group initiated a kindness campaign where local businesses were encouraged to recognize acts of kindness with kindness stickers and MACCI gift certificates,” Schultz said. “The Marshfield Foundation agreed to fund the $1,000 Good Heart Award, which will be given each year to an area nonprofit chosen by the recipient. We developed criteria, publicized the award for nominations, and formed a selection committee. We intentionally started small with Marshfield to see if it would gain popularity to expand to the surrounding area.”

The chosen recipient receives a $1,000 award to give to the nonprofit of their choice, as well as a presentation dinner with family and friends, donated by Hotel Marshfield, and an award, donated by Events Etc. Awards & Engraving.

The inaugural recipient, Carter Grove, was nominated by one of his teachers, Jennifer Fredrick, Career & Technical Education Coordinator at Marshfield High School.

“Carter Grove has positively impacted the Marshfield community for many years and will continue to be an outstanding volunteer and leader,” read Fredrick’s nomination. “As Carter’s teacher for two years, I have consistently observed his compassion, generosity, and desire to positively impact the lives of others.”

Among Carter’s activities, he has been involved extensively with Rotary Winter Wonderland.

“Carter enjoyed decorating with Christmas lights as a child and, as a middle school student, volunteered with his father at Rotary Winter Wonderland,” Fredrick’s nomination continued. “Helping his dad volunteer for this worthy cause sparked his passion for this project. As years went on, Carter took the time to learn every facet of the operation, offering to help where needed. The managers of the operation saw Carter’s drive and passion for the project and encouraged him to take on leadership roles. He learned several ways to teach volunteers how to perform a task they may not be familiar with. Carter has volunteered for six years with Rotary Winter Wonderland and since 2020 he has volunteered for approximately 200 hours each year.”

Carter is also currently serving a one-year term as a National Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador, and he is the current Marshfield High School FFA President.

Grove has work experience at Melody Gardens Restaurant and Skateland and Total Electric Service. He is currently a Youth Apprenticeship student planning to pursue Registered Apprenticeship with Total Electric Service after graduation. His future plans include residing, working, and volunteering in the Marshfield community.

Other nominees for the inaugural Good Heart Award included Dillon Scheuer, Hannah Brusky, Katelyn Wernberg, Lizzy Gruenloh, Morgan Fritsch and Sophia Piller.