Hemlock Semiconductor Awards Next Round of CARE Grants Through Area Community Foundations

Local organizations in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties receiving financial help

HEMLOCK, Mich. ― When Major Chords for Minors of Bay City won a CARE grant recently from Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC), it meant that students could continue their love for music — virtually.

The grant will help the organization provide free private instrument instruction to children in grades 3-12 throughout 2021 by covering the cost of providing Zoom subscriptions for 92 students as well as microphones for teaching virtual music lessons. Major Chords for Minors also will use the money to give instruments to children and provide studio space for practice. In addition, a stipend will be available to support local musicians.

“While adjusting to this digital world and COVID-19, it’s so important to keep children engaged in hobbies and help them continue to exercise their talents,” said Katrina Vowell, managing director of Major Chords for Minors. “This grant will help us reach out to more students through Zoom calls and keep them involved with their passions through these unprecedented times.”

The organization was among 17 recipients of Community and Regional Empowerment (CARE) Fund grants for Saginaw, Midland, and Bay counties awarded by Hemlock-based HSC. The company awarded just under $140,000 in grants this cycle, part of the nearly $340,000 awarded through HSC CARE grants in 2019-2020. Applications for the next round of grants are available at the Saginaw Community Foundation, Bay Area Community Foundation, and Midland Area Community Foundation, with applications due by January 31, 2021.

In choosing the CARE Fund winners, HSC staff looked for projects that align with the CARE Fund mission to improve the vitality and quality of life in Great Lakes Bay Region communities where HSC employees and their families work and play.

“We were pleased to see so many applications for organizations across the Great Lakes Bay Region that are actively bettering our community,” said Brooke Beebe, HSC vice president of external affairs. “The CARE Fund allows our employees to connect with community initiatives, and we are proud to assist programs that fulfill needs and make this region a great place to live.”

Among others awarded grants is Fresh Aire Samaritan Counseling Center, which plans to broaden mental health services available to those struggling to cope with the effects of COVID19 and trauma. The Fresh Aire Samaritan Counseling Center will begin partnering with a provider of telehealth psychiatry services to offer appointments and medication to clients in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The center also is expanding its trauma counseling with workshops and outreach to individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, abuse, grief, anxiety and depression.

Midland Recyclers received $15,000 to purchase a recycling truck and equipment to expand its recycling program in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The grant will allow Midland Recyclers to add 20 new business customers.

Other organizations that received funding include:

  • Wolverine State Missionary Baptist Convention for the I Read, I Lead, I Succeed program.
  • READ Association of Saginaw County for the Barton Reading and Spelling Program.
  • Spaulding Township Generator Grant to provide a backup generator.
  • Saginaw County Youth Protection Council to purchase a facility that supports Prevention and Youth Services and Teen Parent Services.
  • Together With Friends Nonprofit Housing Corporation to help individuals with severe physical disabilities and life-threatening medical conditions.
  • Keys of Hope Foundation Support Group to serve women and families with self-care kits, meals, social support and more during a pregnancy loss.
  • Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy for Nature on Demand to create an eight-episode educational series and a single short feature film.
  • YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Solutions.
  • Kings Daughters and Sons of Midland Community Christmas Closet to provide new clothing to students in low-income families.
  • Coleman Community Schools Jr./Sr. High for audio enhancement systems.
  • Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter for Veterans’ Dementia Information and Referral Program.
  • Self Love Beauty Family Programs to support children, teenagers and parents.
  • Creative 360 Express Yourself Artshop to offer affordable art classes for students.
  • Vail House Midland for staff training and its client support improvement project.

Anyone interested in learning more about the CARE grant program and how to apply can find
information on the foundations’ websites at:

About Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is a leading provider of hyper-pure polycrystalline
silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices,
solar cells and modules. At HSC, we’re passionate about silicon-based technology and its unique
potential to connect and energize the world we share. HSC’s polysilicon enables customers to
produce high-tech electronics and solar energy, and our efficient manufacturing process delivers
products with an ultra-low-carbon footprint. HSC began operations in 1961.

More information can be found at:
hscpoly.com | @hscpoly | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

For more information:
Kristen Opperman
Communications Liaison
(989) 301-6063
kristen.opperman@hscpoly.com