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Two groups benefit from Okray donations
Saint Michael's Foundation endows new fund; SPACS puts money toward campaign

Edward J. Okray, a Portage County agribusiness pioneer and leader, has made a $500,000 donation to Saint Michael's Foundation for the creation of an endowment being named in his honor.

The Edward J. Okray Endowment Fund will be used to further the foundation's mission to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health care needs of the community.

Okray created the unrestricted endowment fund just prior to his death in December 2001. Annual earnings from the fund will be used by Saint Michael's Foundation to fund community education programs, HEALTHLINE, Lifeline, cancer support services, patient support groups, health screenings, health education scholarships and patient education initiatives.

" Ed Okray truly loved Plover, Stevens Point and the greater Portage County area," said Phyllis Devlin, foundation director. "St. Michael's Hospital is very appreciative of this wonderfully generous gift as Ed's way of showing his pride in and gratitude for the quality of life we enjoy in our area.

"We have been truly blessed to have such a charitable community leader," she said. "The Edward J. Okray Endowment Fund will be a tremendous lasting legacy that will benefit the health and well-being of Portage County residents for generations."

Okray spent his entire career working in his family's business, now known as Okray Family Farms. In the 1950s, as a state and national leader in the potato industry, Okray led the efforts to create irrigation farming in central Wisconsin.

Working to establish the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association, he helped give farmers a voice in legislation that could affect their business. During Okray's tenure, he saw irrigation farming transform the potato industry from a cottage endeavor into its multi-million dollar industry of today.

A prominent figure in the Plover/Stevens Point area, Okray served as the founding president and chairman of the Bank of Plover. Additionally, he was a member of the Stevens Point Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 641 and a member of St. Bronislava Catholic Church. In 1997, Okray was awarded the Quality of Life Leadership Award in conjunction with the Community Leadership Celebration.

Devlin said "Ed's commitment to the Plover/Stevens Point area was exemplary. He loved his family, his community and the many wonderful people who live here. Ed gave generously of his time, talents and resources. He left his mark, not only on the agribusiness industry of Portage County, but also on the quality of life so many of us enjoy."

Saint Michael's Foundation was established in 1989 with a mission to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health care needs of our community.

SPACS puts money toward campaign

The "Renewing the Commitment" Capital Campaign of the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools received a $500,000 gift from Edward J. Okray.

Greg Hansel, president of SPACS, announced the gift Tuesday, Jan. 15, during the kick-off of the public phases of the campaign and said the Faith, Arts and Community Center of Pacelli High School will be named in Okray's honor.

Okray, an officer in Okray Produce Co. in Plover, died Dec. 13. He also left a $500,000 endowment to the Saint Michael's Foundation.

The campaign goal is to raise $1.7 million to use on four projects, $830,000 to renovate the Faith, Arts and Community Center (original gymnasium) at Pacelli; $280,000 to replace all the original windows in Pacelli; $90,000 to install an elevator car at Pacelli; and $500,000 to create an endowment for enhancing teacher salaries in all SPACS schools.

In announcing the gift, Hansel also issued a challenge to parents in the SPACS system to match Okray's gift.

Dr. Randal Wojciehoski, campaign general chairperson, said the preliminary leadership phases of the campaign have raised commitments of $1.1 million to the campaign.

"The volunteers have done a remarkable job with their task of giving this campaign a significant jumpstart," he said. "They worked very hard at communicating the importance of the campaign with existing donors as well as seeking out new donors. Their confidence in our Catholic schools and belief in this campaign have been real examples to others."

The program for the kick-off included a montage of choral and band numbers performed by a variety of musical groups that included the Pacelli Chamber Choir and Concert Band, the St. Peter Middle School band and choral performances by St. Stanislaus School second-graders, the St. Bronislava School; third, fourth and fifth-grade choir and the St. Stephen School fourth-graders.



	Two groups benefit from Okray donations Saint Michael's Foundation endows new fund; SPACS puts money toward campaign Edward J. Okray, a Portage County agribusiness pioneer and leader, has made a $500,000 donation to Saint Michael's Foundation for the creation of an endowment being named in his honor. The Edward J. Okray Endowment Fund will be used to further the foundation's mission to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health care needs of the community. Okray created the unrestricted endowment fund just prior to his death in December 2001. Annual earnings from the fund will be used by Saint Michael's Foundation to fund community education programs, HEALTHLINE, Lifeline, cancer support services, patient support groups, health screenings, health education scholarships and patient education initiatives. " Ed Okray truly loved Plover, Stevens Point and the greater Portage County area," said Phyllis Devlin, foundation director. "St. Michael's Hospital is very appreciative of this wonderfully generous gift as Ed's way of showing his pride in and gratitude for the quality of life we enjoy in our area. "We have been truly blessed to have such a charitable community leader," she said. "The Edward J. Okray Endowment Fund will be a tremendous lasting legacy that will benefit the health and well-being of Portage County residents for generations." Okray spent his entire career working in his family's business, now known as Okray Family Farms. In the 1950s, as a state and national leader in the potato industry, Okray led the efforts to create irrigation farming in central Wisconsin. Working to establish the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association, he helped give farmers a voice in legislation that could affect their business. During Okray's tenure, he saw irrigation farming transform the potato industry from a cottage endeavor into its multi-million dollar industry of today. A prominent figure in the Plover/Stevens Point area, Okray served as the founding president and chairman of the Bank of Plover. Additionally, he was a member of the Stevens Point Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 641 and a member of St. Bronislava Catholic Church. In 1997, Okray was awarded the Quality of Life Leadership Award in conjunction with the Community Leadership Celebration. Devlin said "Ed's commitment to the Plover/Stevens Point area was exemplary. He loved his family, his community and the many wonderful people who live here. Ed gave generously of his time, talents and resources. He left his mark, not only on the agribusiness industry of Portage County, but also on the quality of life so many of us enjoy." Saint Michael's Foundation was established in 1989 with a mission to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health care needs of our community. SPACS puts money toward campaign The "Renewing the Commitment" Capital Campaign of the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools received a $500,000 gift from Edward J. Okray. Greg Hansel, president of SPACS, announced the gift Tuesday, Jan. 15, during the kick-off of the public phases of the campaign and said the Faith, Arts and Community Center of Pacelli High School will be named in Okray's honor. Okray, an officer in Okray Produce Co. in Plover, died Dec. 13. He also left a $500,000 endowment to the Saint Michael's Foundation. The campaign goal is to raise $1.7 million to use on four projects, $830,000 to renovate the Faith, Arts and Community Center (original gymnasium) at Pacelli; $280,000 to replace all the original windows in Pacelli; $90,000 to install an elevator car at Pacelli; and $500,000 to create an endowment for enhancing teacher salaries in all SPACS schools. In announcing the gift, Hansel also issued a challenge to parents in the SPACS system to match Okray's gift. Dr. Randal Wojciehoski, campaign general chairperson, said the preliminary leadership phases of the campaign have raised commitments of $1.1 million to the campaign. "The volunteers have done a remarkable job with their task of giving this campaign a significant jumpstart," he said. "They worked very hard at communicating the importance of the campaign with existing donors as well as seeking out new donors. Their confidence in our Catholic schools and belief in this campaign have been real examples to others." The program for the kick-off included a montage of choral and band numbers performed by a variety of musical groups that included the Pacelli Chamber Choir and Concert Band, the St. Peter Middle School band and choral performances by St. Stanislaus School second-graders, the St. Bronislava School; third, fourth and fifth-grade choir and the St. Stephen School fourth-graders.