In January of 2021 the Lyons Family formed the Lyons Reading Fund through Michigan
Gateway Community Foundation. This gift was put in place to aid Dowagiac Union Schools with their
goal of improving literacy and reading proficiency throughout all grade levels. While many wonderful
reading programs exist for youth across the region, a missing piece of that puzzle has always been the
Middle School level. To address this important period for young people in our community, the Lyons
Reading Fund has provided over 1600 books to Dowagiac Middle School students over the last four
years. It was important to the Lyons Family and School Administrators that this also be a program that
bridges the summer reading gap as well. The English teachers at Dowagiac Middle School worked with
students to choose selections that are engaging and offer a bridge into the following year’s curriculum.
All students will receive their title prior to leaving for Summer Break and on May 2 nd , 2025 the Lyons
family got the opportunity to visit with the students and learn about their love for reading.
Mr. Don Lyons stated it best when he noted, “I feel the greatest gift you can give someone is
knowledge, and the best and easiest way to acquire knowledge is by reading. It can take you into the
depths of your mind or on a journey around the world. Reading can take you places most of us will
never experience, but are there for everyone to read about. We can go backward or forward in time or
into the farthest reaches of the universe without ever leaving our home. Our family's hope is that by
providing young people with the opportunity to read about things that interest them it will set them on a
lifelong journey of acquiring knowledge.” This message resonated with the students and was a
wonderful way to send them off into the summer. The faculty at Dowagiac Union Schools are also an
integral part of the program and help order and allocate the books to the students. Dr. Michael Dunn
stated, “Dowagiac Schools is extremely thankful for this program. Each year, our middle school students
look forward to the Lyons Reading Program. They get excited about being able to choose a book that
they get to keep. As the books come in and get labeled, students are begging to get them in their hands.”
Founded in 1977, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation serves southern Berrien County
and Cass County Michigan. The Foundation was established with gifts from many citizens in amounts
ranging from a few dollars to millions of dollars. Only the income generated by the investment of these
gifts is used in grant making for endowed funds. A gift to these community funds, such as those from
Niles, Buchanan, and Cass County, serve these communities in perpetuity.
For more information on Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, or to make a contribution
that supports your community, contact Michael P. Rowland at 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, MI 49107,
visit www.mgcf.org , or call 269-695-3521.
