THE INKY LUNTA 78 CHALLENGE – HONORING GARY ENGSTROM AND JONATHAN A. ERICKSON

Ironwood, MI – January 13, 2025 – The Inky Lunta Committee, in collaboration with the Gogebic Range Health Foundation (GRHF), has announced the Inky Lunta 78 Challenge, an event honoring Ironwood’s legendary sportsman, coach, and fitness pioneer, Gary “Inky” Engstrom, and his close friend, Jonathan A. Erickson.

This year’s challenge celebrates what would have been Gary Engstrom’s 78th birthday, with participants taking on the theme of 78 in true Gary fashion: “Let’s do this—it’ll be fun!” Beginning on March 1, 2025, participants will engage in a 78-day journey of physical activity, selecting from one of the following challenges:

• 78 minutes
• 78 hours
• 78 kilometers
• 78 miles

Participants are encouraged to walk, run, roll, ski, paddle, strength train, or engage in other forms of activity to complete their goals. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jonathan A. Erickson Fund, which supports mental health initiatives, as well as community health and wellness, through grant-making across the Gogebic Range.

Event Details:

• Registration: Open now at runsignup.com/inkylunta78. The cost is $20 per challenge. Participants can add a T-shirt or fleece hat for $20 each. Log your activity each day.
• Youth Event: Free to participate, with optional T-shirts and hats available for purchase.
• Deadlines: T-shirt and hat orders must be submitted by February 16, 2025.
• Kickoff Event/Tshirt/hat pick-up: Scheduled for March 1, 2025, at Cold Iron Brewery.
• Final Gathering Event: Will take place on May 2, 2025 (details to follow).

Donations to the Jonathan A. Erickson Fund can be made by check, payable to the Gogebic Range Health Foundation, and mailed to: E6112 Bluffview Rd, Ironwood, MI 49938.

For more information, visit runsignup.com/inkylunta78.

The Inky Lunta Committee and the Gogebic Range Health Foundation are excited to invite the community to participate in this meaningful event, continuing Gary Engstrom and Jonathan Erickson’s shared legacy of health, wellness, and community spirit.

Pictured (L to R): Karl Zinsmaster of Saint Maud’s; Kassi Huotari and John Garske of GRHF

January 8, 2025 — The Gogebic Range Health Foundation (GRHF) is proud to announce and celebrate Saint Maud’s recent grant award from the American-Scandinavian Foundation! This significant funding will enable Saint Maud’s to expand and enhance its renowned Slöyd program, making its classes more accessible and impactful for local youth and families.

Thanks to this grant, Saint Maud’s will upgrade its equipment with the addition of a new four-person bench from Sjöbergs and another custom bench that is built in-house and designed by the Sloyd Experience. These enhancements will increase the program’s capacity to accommodate 16 participants, allowing more individuals to benefit from the hands-on craftsmanship, creativity, and character building fostered by the Slöyd program. Expanded offerings will reach local public school districts, the Superior Homeschool Co-op, and the program’s devoted community of families.

The funding will also support fair compensation for Saint Maud’s exceptional instructors and assistants, who are critical to the program’s ongoing success. Two new trainees—a work-study student from Hurley School District and a volunteer from Northland College—will join the team, bringing the total number of instructors to five. This investment in staffing will ensure the program’s continued excellence and growth.

“We’re thrilled to see Saint Maud’s Slöyd program flourish and to have supported them as their fiscal agent during their journey to achieving 501(c)(3) status,” said Kassi Huotari, Executive Director of GRHF. “Their commitment to fostering creativity and community is truly inspiring, and this grant marks an exciting new chapter in their growth.”

Saint Maud’s has been a pillar of creativity and education in the community, and this grant from the American-Scandinavian Foundation further solidifies their impact. Congratulations to Karl Zinsmaster and the entire Saint Maud’s team for this well-deserved recognition and support. GRHF and Saint Maud’s extends its gratitude to the American-Scandinavian Foundation for investing in this vital initiative. Together, we are building a brighter, more creative future for the Gogebic Range.

For more information about Saint Maud’s Slöyd program, please visit www.saintmauds.com.

About Saint Maud’s

Saint Maud’s is a community-based organization dedicated to fostering self-reliance, perseverance, concentration and love for labor through its Slöyd program. The program focuses on hands-on, project-based learning, teaching individuals of all ages the traditional Swedish craft of woodworking. With an emphasis on inclusivity, Saint Maud’s strives to make its programs accessible to all local youth and families, enriching the community with skills that promote creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. The organization continues to expand its offerings to better serve the Gogebic Range community.

About Gogebic Range Health Foundation

The Gogebic Range Health Foundation supports initiatives promoting health and wellness across Gogebic County, MI, and Iron County, WI. Its core funding priorities include youth engagement, economic empowerment, community food systems, and fostering connected communities. Learn more at gogebicrangehf.org

For more information, please contact:
Kassi Huotari
Executive Director | Gogebic Range Health Foundation
📞 906-364-7527
✉️ kassi.huotari@gogebicrangehf.org

Ironwood, MI – December 16, 2024 – The Gogebic Range Health Foundation (GRHF) has had an eventful and impactful year in 2024, marked by significant growth and collaboration. Throughout the year, GRHF has worked closely with local nonprofits and community health organizations to assess community needs. This collective effort has strengthened the Foundation’s ability to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families across the Gogebic Range by setting updated funding priorities.

A key milestone in 2024 was the hiring of Kassi Huotari as the new Executive Director in July. Since her arrival, GRHF has continued to expand its partnerships and deepen its impact in the region. Notable achievements this year include:

• Assisting Michigan’s Western Gateway Trail Authority with a successful raffle ticket fundraiser, raising $25,680 to support the maintenance and enhancements of the Iron Belle Trail.
• Receiving a $48,700 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, which will help strengthen the Foundation’s organizational capacity to better serve the community.
• Partnering with IncredibleBank to provide $1,000 in support to nine different food security programs in the Gogebic Range, benefiting local families in need during the holiday season.
• Serving as a fiscal sponsor for Saint Maud’s, enabling the organization to secure $33,425 in funding from the American-Scandinavian Foundation while they were in the process of securing their nonprofit status.

Although GRHF paused its grant-making in 2024 to focus on leadership transitions, we are excited to reopen a round of grant-making in early 2025. All donations received from now until December 31st will go directly toward supporting these grants and funding the critical initiatives that help the Gogebic Range thrive.

Looking ahead to 2025, GRHF is eager to build on these successes and continue supporting the four new funding priorities:

• Youth Engagement & Mental Health
• Economic Empowerment
• Community Food Systems
• Connected Communities

Make a Difference Today
Donations can be made easily here or by mailing a check to:
Gogebic Range Health Foundation
E6112 Bluff View Rd
Ironwood, MI 49938

For those wishing to designate their donation, options are available for Community Grant Making, Youth Engagement & Mental Health, Economic Empowerment, Community Food Systems, Connected Communities, the Jonathan A. Erickson Fund, Project Connect, or a General Donation.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity and support from our community, we’ve made great strides this year,” said Kassi Huotari, Executive Director of GRHF. “We’re excited about the future and the positive impact we can create together in 2025. Your contribution—no matter the size—helps us continue our mission to build a healthier, more resilient Gogebic Range.”

For more information, please contact:
Kassi Huotari
Executive Director
Gogebic Range Health Foundation
📞 906-364-7527
✉️ kassi.huotari@gogebicrangehf.org

The Gogebic Range Health Foundation (GRHF) and IncredibleBank have partnered to bolster food security initiatives in Gogebic and Iron Counties, ensuring families have access to nutritious meals during the holiday season. Each organization contributed $500 to nine local food programs, resulting in $1,000 donations to each organization and maximizing the impact of this collaborative effort.

The organizations receiving support include:

• Mercer Area Food Pantry
• Iron County Food Pantry
• St. Vincent DePaul locations in Ironwood, Bessemer, and Watersmeet
• Total Faith Ministries (Union Station)
• Northwind Naturals Food Co-op (Kids Account)
• Gogebic County 4-H Knapsack Program
• Lac Vieux Desert Food Pantry

“This partnership with IncredibleBank demonstrates the power of collaboration,” said Kassi Huotari, Executive Director of GRHF. “Together, we can make a more significant impact, providing vital resources to organizations that support food security in our community, especially during this time of heightened need.”

Kevin Nyquist, Market Manager at IncredibleBank, added, “At IncredibleBank, we are deeply committed to giving back to the communities we serve. Partnering with GRHF to address food security ensures that local families can enjoy a healthier, more secure holiday season. This collaboration highlights the strength of our community when we come together to support one another.”

This initiative reflects GRHF’s broader mission to enhance community well-being through its four funding priorities: Youth Engagement & Mental Health, Economic Empowerment, Community Food Systems, and Connected Communities.

While GRHF paused its grant-making in 2024 to focus on leadership transitions, this initiative demonstrates its continued commitment to addressing critical community needs. As the Foundation prepares to resume grant-making in early 2025, supporters are encouraged to contribute to its mission.

Donations can be made here or by mailing a check to:
Gogebic Range Health Foundation
E6112 Bluff View Rd, Ironwood, MI 49938

For more information, please contact:
Kassi Huotari
Executive Director | Gogebic Range Health Foundation
Phone: 906-364-7527
Email: kassi.huotari@gogebicrangehf.org