March 21, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
It is with great honor that Copper Shores Bridges received the Innovation/Transformation Sparkplug Award. Since the program’s inception, Bridges has grown, changed and adapted to meet the needs of the people it serves. Running Bridges Out of Poverty in a rural area comes with many challenges that urban counterparts do not face, but the Bridges team has remained steadfast in their dedication to finding creative solutions that serve the participants best.
The program has been transformative for many, touching the lives of not only the participants, but their friends and families as well. The foundation is grateful for the program’s recognition, and looks forward to another year of helping Copper Country residents work towards achieving financial stability.
Thank you to the community members that recognized and nominated Copper Shores; the foundation is grateful to have been considered for two 2024 Sparkplug Awards. In addition to the Innovations/Transformation Award, Copper Shores’ GivingTuesday campaign, #GiveCopperCountry, was nominated for Project of the Year.
The Sparkplug Awards are always a highlight for Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. After another year of hard work and dedication making the Copper Country a more healthful place, it is so rewarding to gather with fellow difference makers and reflect on all that the community has accomplished over the last year.
Community members have been celebrating the Sparkplug Awards, hosted by the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, for more than a decade, recognizing the amazing businesses, people and nonprofit organizations in the Copper Country. Each year, community members, businesses and organizations are honored for their growth, innovation and contributions to the community. The foundation is proud to be a part of that group.
Learn more about the Sparkplug Awards at keweenaw.org/sparkplug-awards.
Copper Shores Sparkplug Awards Nominations
2017 – Innovation/Transformation
2018 – Customer Service
2018 – Copper Country Strong Spark Plug Award
2019 – Customer Service
2021 – Young Professional of the Year (Dr. Michelle Seguin)
2021 – Young Professional of the Year (Michael H. Babcock)
2023 - Community Contributor of the Year (Michael Steber)
2023 - Community Contributor of the Year (Kassy Kallio)
2023 - Innovation/Transformation
2024 - Innovation/Transformation
2024 - Project of the Year
