The Anchor Bay Community Foundation recognizes Stuart and Velma MacDonald for their many contributions to the Anchor Bay community.

Stuart "Mac" MacDonald died in 1997 at the age of 84. Today Mrs. MacDonald shares the ideology that led her late husband to bring a new business to New Baltimore so many years ago.

Stuart MacDonald moved to New Baltimore in 1943 and opened a plastics company, which, during its most productive period, provided employment for 500 people. He served on the New Baltimore City Council and was president of the Civic Club in 1955 when he helped establish the first BayRama. He helped lead the transformation of the one-room schoolhouse in New Baltimore to today's Anchor Bay School District.

Stuart and Velma MacDonald's involvement with the Anchor Bay Community Foundation started in 1996 when twenty-five donations of a thousand dollars each provided startup funds for the Foundation. Velma and Stuart MacDonald are among those founders.

In 1997 their donation of $25,000 endowed the Stuart MacDonald Business and Technology Scholarship. Each year since, a $1,000 award has been made to a student seeking a college degree. In 2006 the award was increased to $1,300.

The MacDonald's vision for the community led to a new library and school expansion with the donation of a building to the city and twenty acres of property on County Line to the school district. The MacDonald Public Library and MacDonald Elementary School stand as a tribute and acknowledgement of their staunch support of programs for children and their love of New Baltimore.

Velma MacDonald has quietly worked for the community for several decades. In 2005 Mrs. MacDonald provided funding for two important community projects: The "Mac" Fund and The Singing Christmas Tree.

The "Mac" Fund established in 2005 will be used for youth and senior wellness programs and children's cultural and educational programs. To date the "Mac" Fund has provided for a Senior Youth Partnership Day, Warmth for Winter program, KidPrint support, Elementary Honors Choir scholarships, student ambassador program, the book grant, vocal music award and a fund for the future.

Mrs. MacDonald made another lasting tribute to the community by funding the purchase of The Singing Christmas Tree. The unique six-tier structure provides a dramatic setting for holiday performances. The annual concerts will be used as a fundraising vehicle for the Foundation, but the overall hope is that attendance of The Singing Christmas Tree Concert will become an exciting family tradition.

The Singing Christmas Tree made its debut at the Anchor Bay High School Performing Arts Center on December 18, 2005 with a concert performance by the New Baltimore Interfaith Choir and the Anchor Bay Community Band.

We extend our appreciation to Velma MacDonald for supporting cultural, educational and social programs throughout the Anchor Bay community.