Who were Michelle & Ryan?

Michelle Marie Saunders/Ryan Leigh Foss
Memorial Scholarship Fund & Educational Fund

This Scholarship Fund was established from donations made by friends, family and community members to keep Michelle & Ryan’s legacy alive.  People continue to donate to their Scholarship Fund through the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation.  The Huron Community also holds a Memorial Golf Scramble every July which continues to help fund the scholarships.  Every May, beginning in 2002, two (2) Huron High School Seniors are selected to receive the $3000 scholarship.  The recipients are chosen from applications received through Huron High School.  Preference is given to those attending Bowling Green State University or B.G.S.U. Firelands College and to those  planning to study Nursing or Education.  Most importantly, we choose students with exceptional character qualities and a “Seize the Day” attitude for Life. For donations or further information on the Fund please visit the Sandusky / Erie County Community Foundation at www.sanduskyfoundation.org.

The 2008 Recipients for Michelle Saunders/Ryan Foss Scholarship Award are Mallory Saunders and Gregory Jeffrey.  Mallory is Michelle's younger sister and Gregory is Ryan's younger brother.

2008 Volleyball Angel Awards Emily Conrad and Jill Zimmer

The Saunders/Foss Memorial Golf Scramble

This is the major Fundraising Event for the Saunders/Foss Memorial Scholarship Fund.  This Golf Scramble is unlike any you have ever been to before.  It is held every year in July at Thunderbird Hills Golf Course in Huron, OH.  It is a day filled with fun and laughter as well as golf, food, drinks, games, prizes and music. 

There are two shotgun starts; First shotgun is at 7:00 a.m. and second one at 1:00 p.m.  Every year there is a waiting list to get into this Golf Scramble.  Registration Forms are mailed to everyone that participated the year before.  That means every year there has been 288 golfers who came out to support the Saunders/Foss Scholarship Fund as well as 50 volunteers who put the whole event together and run it..  This years’ event will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008. 

Most of the support to the scholarship fund comes from the Hole Sponsors.  For $100 to sponsor a hole, you can have a sign at the T-Boxes.  If you are interested in being a Hole Sponsor or donating prizes or cash to this event, please contact Kathy or Tony Mussell.  If you would like golf registration information, please contact Paul Berlin, Craig Saunders or Jim Bollenbacher.

For donations or registration information on the Saunders / Foss Memorial Golf Scramble, please send your email request here.

Inspiration Run/Walk

Be Inspired to Run…Be Inspired to Get Healthy

This event was started in 2005 by Michelle and Ryan’s girlfriends who were missing them.  They wanted to do something positive in Michelle and Ryan’s memory and also something that would motivate themselves to get healthy and get in shape.  They decided to start Inspiration Run and use Michelle and Ryan’s inspiration to motivate them and others.  The 5K,10K and short run has become an annual event held on the last Sunday in June.  It is not a competitive race, it is a Fun Run/Walk.    Each year there is a new, INSPIRATIONAL person or story behind the Run.  Fundraising is optional and donations for the event go to the charity of the runner’s choice.  Most donations are collected for the Inspirational Person’s own cause.

This year Inspiration Run will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008.  Our Inspiring Story is that of Tom Stallings, a former Huron High School Teacher who has been challenged with ALS.  His inspirational journey is a story everyone will want to hear. Donations for Tom Stallings will go to the Tom Stallings Mobility Fund.   Please join us.

For more information on Inspiration Run or to print a registration packet, please go to www.huronparks.org. 

“I’m Still Here” (CD written and sung by Kathy Black)

Cathy Black, a Huron High School Alumni, who knew Michelle and Ryan, wrote and recorded a CD in memory of them.  It is a beautiful song and wonderful tribute to the girls.  Cathy came over the day after the girls died and played the freshly recorded CD and while she was playing it, two doves came and sat on the back deck of the Saunders home.  Everyone immediately noticed the two doves and knew that it was Michelle and Ryan telling us that they were still here.

The picture on the front of the CD is a picture of all the BGSU girls that died with Michelle and Ryan .  The second girl from the left, did not go on the vacation with them. This CD is a wonderful gift for someone who has lost a loved one. 

Listen to it here.

Buy it here for $10.   Click the CD to listen to a low res sample

A Glimpse of Heaven After Loss (A Book)

This book is currently being compiled with stories from Michelle and Ryan’s family and friends.  It is designed to help teens and adults cope with the loss of a loved one.  The book will consist of short stores that are uplifting and positive.  They are true stories of divine events and angelic experiences which helped Michelle and Ryan’s family and friends move through their grieving with hope and peace. 

This book will be available for purchase by Thanksgiving 2007.  It would be a great gift for someone who has lost a loved one. 

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here.

If you are interested in submitting a story for the book, click here.