11/05/2026
What makes Central Lake a great place to raise a young child? A legacy of generosity.
This year we awarded $684,028 through our Cleo M. Purdy Endowment to support early childhood opportunities in Central Lake.
These grants support a network of partners working together through CLEO - Central Lake Early Opportunities, including Central Lake Public Schools, Help Me Grow Char-Em, the Dollywood Foundation, Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan, and Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency.
Through this collaborative approach, we help strengthen access to early learning, family supports, and other resources during the critical early years of a child's life.
Since Cleo Purdy's transformational gift established the endowment in 2013, it has served as a lasting investment in Central Lake families, creating opportunities that help children and families succeed for generations to come.