Scholarships are Still Awarded Despite COVID-19 Canceling the Annual Luncheon
The 12th Annual Scholarship Luncheon may have been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19, but the scholarship program goes on. In addition, the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation (MIRF) sent each scholar a lawn sign that reads “Congratulations – 2020 Scholarship Winner” with their names and school logos on them.
“We didn’t feel that the student should suffer, because the logistic had to change,” said Ed Weglarz, MIRA President & CEO, who drove to Chicago last month to deliver checks, signs, certificates and the booklet produced every year featuring the winners, and sponsors. Four college students from Chicago were recipients this year. “We had folks who sponsored and companies willing to donate to the program, so we wanted to keep the tradition going.”
The luncheon would have been held at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) like it is every year but because of COVID, the venue is closed. “We thought we would do whatever we could to recognize the students,” said Weglarz, who also penned a letter about the Scholarship program on page 6 of this issue. In his comments to the student he wrote, “This period in your life marks a key transition as you pursue your college education. We hope your college education provides you with the necessary skills to make a difference in the world. You will be called upon to use your God given talents in your specific field to not only be great, but more importantly do good. Whatever field of study you may choose, always excel in it and commit to professionalism. Always push the limits of education and your ability to learn and absorb.”
Students also had opportunity to share their thoughts on what the scholarship program means to them. “This scholarship truly means a lot to me,” said Dezaray S. Dunigan attending Henry Ford College. “Attending college is a huge privilege, and I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to do so, but the expense of school can be overwhelming and discouraging at times. The MIRF Scholarship I received rewards my hard work in high school, college and encourages me to maintain that work ethic and focus while studying. It is truly an honor to have received this and will go toward my education and future.”
“We were happy to carry on the tradition to providing the scholarships,” said Weglarz.
The scholarships are made possible, because of the sponsors and supporters. This year, sponsors are helping 26 students pay for college. “We are truly grateful for the sponsors and supporters,” said Weglarz. “These annual scholarships are made possible, because of our sponsors who value the importance of education.”
Students shared their gratitude with association for continuing with the scholarship program despite the challenges. “When we called students to get their bios to put in the booklet, they were all very happy to get the scholarship. It takes a little financial pressure off of them.”
The association was also very pleased that the companies were still willing to participate. “We are so grateful that companies were willing to continue with the program, because the situation was unclean for so many companies,” said Weglarz. “We are still dealing with so many unknowns. We told our sponsors how we were going to handle it this year and that we felt we had to continue the tradition of recognizing students. They agreed with us.”
The students are grateful. In the following pages, read how each of them answered the question “what does it mean to you to receive the MIR Foundation Scholarship?”
