The Board of Directors of the Door County Community Foundation unanimously selected Miriam Erickson as the 2010 Philanthropist of the Year for her many years of giving back to Door County.
At the annual Celebration of Giving luncheon on July 20, 2010, Miriam Erickson was presented the award by Dick Egan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Door County Community Foundation. The following is an excerpt from the event program:
If we liken Miriam Erickson’s life to a river there seems to be two main currents that chart its direction, children and education. Coming to Door County just after her graduation from college, Miriam began her career here as a UW Home Economist Extension Agent. She soon met and married Howard Erickson and chose to stay in her adopted community. Howard and Miriam’s family continued to grow as did their involvement in the community. Miriam feels that it has been a privilege to live and raise a family in this community. And we feel privileged to have a community partner who works so diligently to bring knowledge and inspiration into the lives of so many children.
Miriam’s involvement with children and education has spanned both her professional life and her volunteer life. Whether at the local level as a extension home agent, teacher, ski coach, Gibraltar school board member, Library Foundation Board Member, Birch Creek Board Chairman or on the regional level as a member of the CESA #7 Board of Control or, on the state level as President of the Statewide Library Board/COLAND (Council on Library and Network Development), or on the national level as a Delegate to the White House for the Conference on Libraries, Miriam has made it her goal to provide young people with access to knowledge.
Miriam believes the answer to many of our problems can be found in education. We hope this award today recognizes Miriam’s tireless efforts in that direction. Unfortunately, philanthropy is often only thought of as the giving money. However, Webster’s definition is “the love of mankind especially as shown in services to the general welfare”. Miriam’s love of mankind and her years of service to the general welfare are exhibited in her nearly 50 years of efforts, in addition to her great financial generosity.
When asked who inspired her to give back, she fondly recalls Howard stepping in to be a Boy Scout Leader even though they only had daughters, his involvement in the Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club and all the fun they both had as Ski Team advisors for the Gibraltar Ski Team. She proudly recalls that their ski team competed against Class A teams, and WON.
Those of you who know Miriam realize that although she may not be loud and abrasive, she certainly knows how to make her point and get the right things done. As Ski Team advisor she had to fight to get equal rights for women skiers when it came to participation and recognition. She also has been fighting to obtain county wide access to educational programming via the internet for years – and she hasn’t given up. In addition, as Chairman of the Board for Birch Creek, she worked hard to fund the magnificent addition to their campus.
We almost had to fight with Miriam to accept this award. We believe she is an outstanding example of Philanthropy within our community.
Please join us in celebrating Miriam Erickson and her incredible generosity of spirit.
2010 CELEBRATION OF GIVING SPONSORS
The Celebration of Giving is not a fundraising event. It is a true celebration of those remarkable individuals who best epitomize the spirit of generosity that binds us together in Door County.
There is no cost to attend this luncheon celebratin thanks to the wonderful generosity of the following sponsors:
SILVER LEVEL
Pinkert Law Firm, LLP
Grace & Glen Rossman
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
BRONZE LEVEL
Baylake Bank
SPECIAL DONATIONS
Associated Bank
Dahl Law Firm, Ltd.
McKeefrey Yeomans Landscaping, LLP
Peninsula Pulse
RBC Wealth Management
Woodwalk Galleries
